My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: Friendship from afar.

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 9
Into the Knight
Healing and Learning
Information Overload
Chapter 8

Chapter 1

(Disclaimer:) All characters belong to HASBRO and Lauren Faust. I claim no ownership what-so-ever.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Friendship from afar

Chapter 1: Storm of the Century - part 1

Space: An inky black expanse peppered with the various colors of stars, either in the state of decomposition or birth, and the fragile, wispy fingers of galaxies that stretched far beyond what science could comprehend. These were nothing new to him; however, as he’d seen it all before, just with a different galactic quadrant. Different galaxies with different suns that warmed an untold number of planets, each with their own life and habitat.

“How long has it been?,” he mused to himself. “A few days? Weeks?”

Truth be told, he didn’t really know. Ever since. . . the ‘incident’ on Garrana 3, he’d been traveling, as it were, just to be anywhere but that forsaken rock.

“More like running away. . .” He shot at himself coldly. “Why must I always. . .” He shook the conversation from his data banks, refusing to continue the argument with himself. He knew the answer and had always know the answer, long before he became what he was now; subconsciously, even farther back the his earliest memories. He wasn’t the only one of his friends who’d had this happen. It just seemed he always took it the hardest. Even now, despite his best efforts, he could hear the explosions. . .hear the screams. No matter how hard he tried to purge the memory, it lingered on, a cold reminder of how twisted and cruel life could be. The most unbearable part, an icy shard of steel that penetrated into his very spark, was he’d survived. They didn’t. Growling inwardly, he drew his attention to the onboard radio and began adjusting the dials. Nothing but static. He growled again.

“Figures,” he mumbled in a synthesized tone. “Can’t even pick up a bottom 40 station out here.”

The dial quickly rotated left, giving a gentle ‘click’ as it was switched off. It was going to be a long journey.

Celestia’s sun peaked playfully amongst the leaves of the apple orchard know as ‘Sweet Apple Acres’, the early morning dew slowly dripping from the ready to harvest fruit. A sudden, dull thud violently shook the tree, sending apples tumbling down into a strategically placed wooden bucket; a small chilly spray of water landing on an orange mares face. Her body let out a small shiver, displacing the moisture from her muzzle.

“Tarnation!” Applejack spouted, a slight smile on her lips. “Ah swear that never gets old.”

Though it was barely six in the morning and most of Ponnyville, not to mention Equestria, was still in the latter stages of slumber, Applejack had been hard at work for a good hour solid. Being lazy was not something she was accustomed to, a fact the her friends played upon, usually at her expense. They meant no harm, of course, but always prodding that AJ should take a vacation now and again.

‘Nah how in the hay ‘m I ta’ take a vacation?” She muddled to her self. “Ah can’t afford ta’ leave all this to Big Mac.” AJ bucked the apple tree again, knocking the remaining fruit into the awaiting buckets. “Sides’, Ah never was much fer travlin’ an’ th’ like.” She shook the conversation from the depths of her psyche; loading the now full buckets upon the wagon. As she began to attach the yolk to her harness, she heard a voice call, traveling amongst the cool morning breeze.

“APPLEJACK!”

Applejack glanced over her shoulder upon hearing her name. She saw no pony.

“Up here silly,” the voice called again.

Glancing up, she saw the rainbow-maned, sky blue Pegasus, hovering a few feet above the orange-hued mare, her forelegs crossed.

Now this was a surprise. Not seeing Rainbow Dash, mind you, but at this time of morning? It was...well...weird.

“Uh, Pegasi to Earthpony...”, Rainbow called, waving her hoof in Applejack’s direction.

“Huh? Oh, sorry sugarcube,” AJ began, rubbing her forehoof along the back of her mane. “Just lost in thought for a sec. What brings ya’ out this time ah mornin’?” Applejack suddenly put her hoof to her lips, stifling a laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Dash spat. She was not accustomed to being the butt of anypony’s joke, especially her friends.

“It’s nothin’,” Applejack began, forcing the laugh into submission. “Just never used ta’ seein’ ya’ up before the crack o’ noon is all.”

Dash just huffed, pouting her lips in disgust. She hated it when ponies called her lazy; double when it was her friends. So what if she slept in till lunch time? She was part -no - leader of the Northern Weather Patrol and ,as such, required lots and lots of planning to ensure her section of Equestria received its proper portion of rain without causing massive turmoil by interfering with the other quadrants set precipitation limits. Huffing again, the Pegasus spun 180 degrees. “You know what? Forget it A. J. I’ll help Fluttershy myself.”

As Dash spread her wings for a powerful flap, she felt something coarse snag her by the back legs. “What the hay?” She exclaimed, flapping her wings harder, trying to break free. As she struggled she momentarily furled her wings, causing her to plummet to the ground with a soft ‘thud’. Dash immediately rubbed at her flank, wincing a little as a sharp pain shot through it. “What’s the big deal, A. J.?” Rainbow seethed, flaring her nostrils in anger. It was bad enough Applejack laughed at her, but now she was trying to injure her as well? Not cool. So not cool.

“Ah’m sorry Dash,” Applejack replied as she let her rope fall from her mouth. “But ya’ really shouldn’t take my funnin’ the wrong way.” With a quick snap of her neck, the rope around Dash’s legs uncoiled and fell limp.

“Sorry A.J.,” Dash began, freeing herself from her previous confines, “but I’m here on important business and I really don’t have time for horseplay.”

Applejack looked at her fellow Element of Harmony, her features going from playful to downright concerned. This was no where near the fun loving- albeit some times stubborn and hard-headed - Dash that she’d know forever. ‘Up before sunrise and in a serious tone?’ She mused in her mind. ‘Yup. Definitely somethin’ off here.’ Stuffing the thought train back into the recesses of her mind, she eased forward and help her friend to her hoofs.

“Relax Dash,” the farm pony spoke warmly, placing her hoof on the Pegasus’ shoulder. “Nah what’s all this about helping Flutters?”

Rainbow sighed heavily, not really wanting to give a detailed reason for the emergency, but knowing that a brief description would leave her friend more confused than Twilight and a cluttered library. “Here’s the whole situation, A.J. : The Eastern weather patrol is overwhelmed with a massive storm that blew in from the Celestial Sea. Our quadrant has been dispatched to help dissipate the clouds before they became too serious. Unfortunately, the Ever Free forest is complicating things, causing the storm to flare up faster than we can stop it.”

Dash pointed out to her left, nodding her head; motioning A.J. to follow her gaze to the horizon. Applejack looked to the sky, seeing nothing at first. She narrowed her eyes and squinted, suddenly noticing a small puff of clouds with multiple grey specks slashing around it like a disturbed hornets nest. Even though the storm was miles away, she could feel the static beginning to lash out at her body. A.J. immediately swung her gaze back to Rainbow’s, matching her look of concern.

“So far our combined efforts have managed to keep the storm at bay, but. . .”

“I’m sorry sugarcube,” Applejack began, “but what’s all this ta’ do with Fluttershy?”

“This whole area is gonna be drenched in Celestia-only-knows how much rain. All the high areas in and around Ponyville should be okay, but the low lying places could be under 10 or more feet of flash flood. Shy’s house is. . .not designed to withstand such punishment. I need you to help sand-bagging while she evacuates her animal friends to safety. Twilight and the others are helping evacuate and secure the hot zones in and around Ponyville. As soon as the last of the citizens are loaded on the trains, they’ll be out to help you.”

“Are ya sure you’ll be alright, sugarcube? Sounds a ‘might dangerous.”

“Are you kidding?” Rainbow asked, bucking out her chest. “I’m the ‘Iron Pony’”.

Applejack just rolled her eyes playfully. “Just make sure ya come back in one piece, ya here?”

Rainbow nodded triumphantly, unfurled her wings, and launched herself to the sky, rustling the leaves as she rocketed into the distance. AJ watched until her friend became one of the specs in the distance before snapping to her senses, realizing her other Pegasus friend needed her as well. As she turned towards Sweet Apple Acres’ main entrance, she caught a glimpse of her brother walking out of the farm house.

“Big Mac!” She shouted, galloping towards him at full speed. “I need ta talk to ya’!”

“Hey there, sis.” Mac responded, watching as his younger sibling came running up to his side. “You’re up n’ about ah might early this mornin’ Couldn’t sleep cause of the weather?”

“How in tarnation did ya know about th’ weather Big Mac?”

“Granny Smith’s trick knee was a’ twitchin’ like no tomorrow. Ya’ always know what that means.”

“Yeah...” Applejack muttered absent mindedly. She shifted her position from her brothers side to directly in front of him and looked him directly in the eyes, her brow furrowed and her tone then shot to a more serious and up front demeanor. “Listen Mac, I want you get Granny and Applebloom; then head to the train depot and wait for me there.”

“Is somethin’ wrong sis? Ya seem ah little worked up.”

“There’s no time,” Applejack responded hastily. “Jus’ git tha’ two of ‘em tagether and go. I’ll be there as soon as ah can.”

With that, the orange mare turned and galloped off, leaving her brother in a bewildered state of being. As his sister disappeared from his view, he couldn’t help but wonder to himself: ‘What has my sis gotten herself into this time?’

Twilight stood in the center of Ponyville, head high, ready for the task at hand. Ever since Rainbow had contacted her earlier that morning, she’d only had a brief amount of time to which formulate a plan of action. In the roughly 30 minutes in which it took her to hastily scribble down the slight semblance of an idea, the entire town had been heightened to a frothing pot of panic and confusion. She inhaled deeply, closed her eyes, and let out a exasperated sigh.

“Rainbow never was able to put things mildly,” Twilight commented absently, placing a forehoof to her head. “Something’s never change.”
A slight snore caused her to snap back to the task at hand. Causally, the lavender unicorn glanced back over her should at the purple and green ball of scales, a small smile on the edge of her lips. She wiggled her back slightly, causing Spike to jolt from his nap.

“Gah!” Spike exclaimed, flailing his arms wildly, briefly unaware of his surroundings. Subconsciously, he reached out and grabbed Twilight’s mane to regain his balance, eliciting a painful yelp from her muzzle. He leapt down quickly to the cobblestone street of as Twilight shot him an aggravated scowl. “Sorry.” Spike replied, avoiding her gaze directly. As quickly as the scowl appeared, it vanished; Twilight sighing and returning her gaze to the chaos the encases their surroundings. Amongst the panicked clopping of hooves and wails of the young foals, she noticed the predicament that faced Ponyville; perhaps even greater than the storm.

Windows had been hastily boarded up using anything that had been within hoof’s reach; some had been abandoned all together. Varying size piles of sand and stone to be used for the sand bagging had been dumped hap-hazardly in town square, further hampering evacuation efforts. Even Ponyville’s mayor; normally calm and composed, now looked frazzled beyond repair.

“Aren’t Rarity and Pinkie Pie supposed to be here?” Spike asked, bringing Twilight back from her gaze.

“Well, I’m not sure if Rainbow-“

”Hi everypony!” Shouted a certain pink maned, hyperactive, party pony. “Why is everypony in town square? Is there a new pony in town? Ooh! Ooh! I know! Bring ‘em to Sugar Cube Corner and I’ll-“

“Pinkie!” Twilight snapped, trying to slow her heartbeat from Pinkie’s visceral surprise attack. “Did Rainbow Dash even talk with you? And where is Rarity?” Twilight didn’t even bother asking how her pink friend managed to appear from thin air, as it probably involved some random story that she neither wanted to hear, nor had time for.

“Oh silly,” Pinkie began, waving her fore-hoof playfully in Twilight’s direction. “Rarity’s right behind you.”

“Oh, Dahling. Of course Dash spoke to us earlier.” Rarity spoke, helping Twilight to her hooves. “Why if it wasn’t our friendship, not to mention our homes, I’d never be caught out in such a disaster.” The alabaster unicorn reached up with her hoof, adjusting one of the coiffeurs in her mane. “I mean, just look at my mane! All these panicked ponies running around has caused it such a mess!”

“Don’t worry Rarity,” Spike uttered as he approached her. “You’ll look like a million bits to me no matter what.”

“Oooooh!” Rarity cooed as she nuzzled against Spike’s cheek. “That’s my Spikey-wikey. Always such a gentle-dragon.”

Spike just blushed in response, kicking at the ground in response. Twilight just rolled her eyes in response while Pinkie hopped up and down in place; varieties of squeaks and squeals escaping her lips. Twilight cleared her throat, bringing the two mares and her number 1 assistant to full attention.

“As we all know, we have a major situation with our weather and Rainbow dash is out trying to rectify it with the both local and Eastern Weather patrol. In the event of that the combined efforts of both teams is unsuccessful, we are to help with flood preparations as well as evacuations.”

“How exactly are we gonna do that Twilight?” asked Spike, pointing to the frantic town square. “It’s not like anypony is listening, let alone paying attention to us.”

“Hmm...” Twilight mused, rubbing her forehoof against her chin. Suddenly a vision of brilliance ignited within her eyes. “Pinkie?” Twilight began, smiling broadly. “Get your ‘Party Cannon’ ready.”

Chapter 2

Chapter 1: Storm of the Century - part 2

Horror.

A word normally associated with violence, blood, and gore; blade wielding lunatics hacking and slashing at their victims, disemboweling them with giddy glee and demented laughter. Panicked young maidens tied to sacrificial alters screaming in fear as they watched ancient monsters, fangs and maws glistening with venom and spit, ready to devour their meal, caring not for the feeble minded creatures that spat out strange chants and calls that were echoed in tune with drumbeats and shaking reeds.

To him, however, this was far from the tragedy he’d encountered.

Much, much worse.

A fallen tree pining his armored legs.

An outstretched hand, feebly, desperately trying to save.

The begging, pleading outcry that fell upon deaf audio receptors.

The chaotic laugh that permeated him to the core.

And the fire. The dreaded, all consuming fire.

Horror may have been just a word, but to him, there was no definition that describe the unimaginable display he’d been forced to watch.

Knightstride woke from his brief stasis, screaming; wailing. It was a dream; a nightmare. That nightmare. No matter how hard tried to shore it up, block it within the deepest parts of his cerebral cortex coding, it always surfaced. He hated it, loathed it with a passion, yet it always returned, bringing the visions and sounds within.

“What I wouldn’t give to just ‘data purge’ that...

Knightstride stopped mid sentence, still screaming and wailing...wait.

It wasn’t him, but the onboard tech trying to get his attention. Subconsciously he deactivated the alarms and brought the onboard system readouts upon the side viewscreen. His subroutines were still processing the data, a small side effect of short term stasis. Inwardly he’d wished his memory banks would take an electronic nap as well, shielding him from the constant vivid onslaught of Garrana 3's-

The swirling vortex of vivid prismatic color that presented itself upon the screen brought a pause; followed by a wave of dread. He was on collision course with a deep-space magnetic storm of immense magnitude. Wheeljack’s audio recordings shot through his mind.

Watch out for magnetic storms; especially those located far beyond Cybertron’s atmosphere. The really nasty ones can render a cybernetic organism inert. If by some reason you find yourself unable to avoid the storm, shut down all but the basic of life support systems and increase energon flow to system dampers and outer shielding. No telling what you might run into out in the voids of space.

There was just a small problem to Wheeljack’s warning: He wasn’t a Cybertronian; at least not the human part of his being. A fierce battle, a cheap Decepticon null-ray shot, and a whole lot of Autobot ingenuity, all lead to his second chance at life.(Though some times he’d call this a curse)

The wavy lines of static that began appearing upon the view screen and the subsequent pull of the invisible magnetic tentacles upon his outer body armor drew his attention out of the reverie of memories. Quickly, he began to shut his systems down, one by one, until only the bare basics of his internal circuitry and mechanics were still functioning. The storms pull upon him increased by magnitudes until the storm wretched his drifting carcass within it’s pulsating, gnashing maw. Nanoseconds before activating stasis mode he uttered one simple word:

“Scrap.”

Rainbow paced back and forth, her damp and muddle hooves clopping and squishing against the grey tiled floor. Outside the howling winds drove the torrential rain down upon the corrugated roof, causing a dull roar within the enclosed walls. Dash hated hospitals to begin with; even more-so when she was unable to do anything further to rectify the situation. She groaned irritably and walked forward away from the window over hangs towards the Check-in desk; approaching the young stallion situated behind the counter.

“Anything yet?” she asked, knowing pretty well what the answer would be. He simply shook his head.

“Not yet Miss Dash,” he answered, flipping a few pages on his clip board. “It says Cloudkicker only arrived in the O.R. just a few minutes ago.” The aid smiled assuredly at the prismatic pegasus. “I’ll keep you posted with any updates about her condition. There have been a lot of injured ponies come into the E.R. so please be patient with us.”

Rainbow let out an exasperated huff before turning, making a bee line towards on of the many benches that lined the sterile white walls. Patience was something she fiercely lacked. She glanced over at the small side table to her left, stocked with a few magazines. Picking one up with her hooves, she idly began skimming through it. Quickly losing interest, she hastily placed it back; looking up at the clock positioned directly above the check-in desk.

“Move faster, you time hoggin’ bastard!” She swore inwardly, wanting desperately to be at Cloudkickers side; assuring her everything would be fine. At the very least, back out with the remaining weather team, taking her frustration out raging storm that had caused the whole mess in the first place. Rainbow reflectively crossed her forelegs across her chest and ‘harumphed’, a mixture of anger, regret, guilt, and uselessness. In fact, Rainbow was so caught up in her emotions that she never noticed the volume of the weather quickly increase and decrease, nor the sounds of another pony entering the hospital lobby until her name was called.

“Rainbow Dash!” Cloudbuster called, rushing forward and embracing the sky blue pegasus in relief. “ Thank Celestia you’re alright!”

“C-cloudbuster?” Rainbow question, finally coming to her senses. “Why aren’t you out there with your team?”

Cloudbuster was a pegasus mare in her early 40's and the East weather patrols lead. Rainbow had been her student under basic weather management training in Cloudsdale. The red maned mare was by the book; a fact that Rainbow was made quickly aware of. Her hijinks were not tolerated and consequently landed her in more fog clearing duty than not. When a random lightning strike rendered Cloudbuster bed ridden, and possibly never able to fly again, Rainbow was there nearly everyday; bringing a bad joke, an ‘Over the Hill’ get well card, anything just to get her teacher out of her glum mood. Over the next few weeks, a friendship was formed and, despite Cloudbuster’s reassignment to Canterbury, the two remain close, writing to each other and visiting when time allowed. There were now grey streaks in her mane and more that a few battle scars upon her tan pelt, but she was as strong and determined as Rainbow remembered from her training days.

The tan mare released her hold of Dash, rested her haunches upon the bench, and turned her green eyes to meet Rainbow’s rose tinted iris’s. Dash noticed her eyes shift uneasily, her brow and lips furrowed into a concerned gaze. Dash knew the question that was about to escape Clouds’ lips, and steadied herself for the answer she would have to give, hoping her mentor and friend wouldn’t loathe and despise her afterwards.

“Dash...” Cloud began, her voice thick with anticipation. “What happened out there?”

(1 Hour earlier)

Cloudkicker shifted in her chair, trying to get comfortable while the rest of her flock idly chatted amongst themselves. This was it. Her first real storm corralling. Not only that; she’d been partnered with Rainbowdash. The Rainbowdash: the coolest, bravest, and fastest pegasus in all of Equestria.

Dash had been her teacher in basics, training her on the do’s and don’ts of the practice. To say having the coolest pony in the world as your trainer was ‘awesome’ was an understatement. Thanks to the tips and tricks of the trade the prismatic maned mare had learned over the years, Cloudkicker had graduated at the top of her class. But drills and class work were one thing. Being out in the field and dealing with a squall of the magnitude facing the team now... She was terrified. “What if I mess up out there?” she asked herself. “What if I get somepony injured or...”

She felt a nudge at her shoulder. “You nervous?” A familiar, yet compassionate, voice called. She snapped her head, coming face to face with a smile and a pair of rose tinted iris’. She didn’t speak, only nodding in response. It was a few, tense seconds before the young flier could muster her on voice. “A-are you?”

Dash shifted her eyes nervously, checking for any nosy pony that might be listening in, and leaned in close. “A little...” She quickly brought a hoof to her muzzle, clearing her throat before continuing. “Besides, I’m partnered with the highest scoring filly in her class. Piece ‘a cake.”

“B-but what about Ponyville? Don’t your friends need-“

”I’ve already informed Mayor Mare about the situation; flood preparations and the evacuation of everypony is already well under way.” Rainbow puffed out her chest proudly. “My friends can handle anything. I’m needed here.”

C.K. just nodded silently, avoiding Rainbow’s gaze. A playful, yet firm, prodding in her left side brought her head up, receiving a supportive smile from her ex-teacher.

“I know you’re scared and ‘ve never had any field experience, but believe me when I say these words: You. Can. Do. This. The is no doubt in my mind.”

Hearing this from the best flyer in Equestria made here fears subside and her bold and fearless attitude return in force. She nodded again, firmly this time, making Rainbow fully aware she’d give it her all.

The distant rumble of thunder, followed quickly by the flight director’s voice on the loud speaker commanding a prompt convergence to the flight station brought everypony to full attention.

“Look’s like they’re playing our song.” Rainbow commented. “Ready to kick some sorry storm’s flank?”

“Yeah,” Cloudkicker acknowledged boldly. “Let’s”

Together, the two pegusi quickly followed the rest of the storm team out of the cramped prep room. No turning back now.

(30 minutes earlier)

“Hang in there Cloudkicker!” Dash yelled over the storms’ roaring winds. “We’ll finish this bunch of flare-ups then head back!”

This storm was hell; Dash had never seen - never felt - anything this powerful before today and was pretty sure no pony in recent memory had either. The wind drove the frigid rain into her wings and coat with such force that she could feel the bruises forming upon her torso, despite the numbing effects of the storm. The humidity was horrid as well; immense pressure within her air passages almost forcing her to break formation. One forth of the team had to retreat, barring hypothermia or just plain crashing from exhaustion. The worst of it was the damned Everfree forests’ influece compounding the situation further. Every time she - or any other pair - would manage to dissipate any of the rain producing formations, the main cell above would suck in fresh moisture, reforming them as if they were never gone. If the team could get past the rain block, through the windscreen, and avoid the lightning layer, they might, might, have a chance of slowing, even destroying it before any more damage could be wrought upon Equestria. This was a big if, however, but on Rainbow was willing to take upon herself - Alone.

“Rainbow!” Cloudkicker called out, a mere whisper in the raging storm. “I can see a break in the clouds! I see the storm cell!”

Wiping the condensation from her goggles, she peered up into the ever darkening sky. Sure enough, an opening had presented itself, only it was too small, to risky, for Rainbow to even attempt at it.

“No can do!” Dash responded. “It’s too small to even...”
An grey and mint color streak whipped upwards, causing Dash’s eyes to go wide with fear.

“WHAT THE HAY ARE YOU DOING!” Rainbow wailed in fear, immediately engaging pursuit. “GET BACK HERE BEFORE YOU GET-“

The words never formed to leave her mouth. Her world slowed to a crawl and all she could do was watch in horror as a rogue bolt of lightning stuck outward from the opening. A binding flash caused Rainbow to pull her hooves to her eyes, wincing at the pain it brought. When her vision cleared, she saw Cloudkicker falling, that same grey and mint filly that had, just moments before, rush foolishly into danger, was now falling from the heavens, trailing wispy smoke from her wings; the horrid scent of burnt feathers and fur assaulting Dash’s olfactory nerves.

“CLOUDKICKER!” Dash screamed, shaking herself from what she’d just witnessed.

Dash hurled herself downward into the grey abyss, her personal safely the last thing on her mind. Brief seconds into her dive, her nose pick up the burning scent again, to which she forced herself not to vomit. A few more seconds, she saw her target; her body rapidly approaching the rain soaked rocks below. Despite her exhaustion, Dash hurled herself downward, rapidly increasing her speed. The Wonderbolts. Being the Element of Loyalty. Her friends and their adventures together. At this point none of it mattered. Only the injured falling pegasus did. Instinctively, she extended her fore legs, reaching outward.

“Almost there,” Rainbow spoke, straining through clenched teeth. “Just a little bit further...”

Just as the stones below were ready to claim their prize, Dash made contact with the falling mare, pulling her body towards her chest and angled her wings, forcing her and her passenger upwards away from danger.

Dodging the rain-slickened over hangs and crags, Dash finally found a clearing in which to land, setting down hastily. Depositing her package carefully on the grass, Dash rolled Cloudkicker upon her back and placed her head upon her friend’s chest, listening for a heartbeat. Nothing. No signs of life.

“NO!” Dash screamed, the tear of fear and terror finally releasing themselves from her eyes. “I Wont let you die!”

Chapter 3

Chapter 1: Storm of the Century - part 3

The sound of hooves splashing against the wet cobblestone streets echoed along the boarded up walls and windows as Twilight and Pinkie galloped through the now deserted Ponyville streets, heading towards Fluttershy’s cottage. The lavender mare felt unnerved, the dancing of their shadows against the backdrop of empty buildings only fueling the uneasiness creeping into her very being. The darkness shrouding the town caused by the approaching storm did not help the situation at all. By her judgement, and the light, constant patter of precipitation, the encroaching weather was still a good ways off. Twilight gave a side long look to her left, noticing her pink friend bouncing along merrily beside her without a care in the world. Twilight could help but smile, much of the anxiety melting away from her in response.

“Hey Pinkie?” Twilight questioned, breaking the monotony of the situation. “Can we take five for a minute? My hooves need a bit of a rest from all the running we’ve done.”

“Hmm? Oh, sure Twilight.” Pinkie responded, her bubbly attitude never faltering. “Let’s find a place to get out of this sticky-icky weather.” She then clopped her fore hooves together excitedly. “Then we can have a quick snack.”

Twilight was quickly snagged by the hyperactive party pony and dashed away before she could even muster a protest.

Twilight sat on her haunches, quietly chewing the muffin Pinkie had just given her. In her rush to get them both out of the rain, Pinkie had dragged the pair to the ‘Quills and Sofas’ shop just on the outskirts of the business district. This particular building was creepy even during the day. Given the circumstances at the moment, it was down right mortifying. Twilight sighed. At least the front entrance had an enormous overhang, keeping them dry and somewhat shielded from the wind.

“You know something, Twilight? That was a good-no super duper awesome idea you had for using my ‘Party Cannon’ earlier.”

Twilight gave a smile and a light blush at the compliment. It had been a spur of the moment idea, really. Where Pinkie hid the cannon on her person was a intelligence battle for another time. She’d probably wind up placing the incident in the overly full folder labeled ‘Pinkie’s tricks’. She swallowed her muffin. “Thank you Pinkie.” Twilight responded.

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Pinkie responded, waving a hoof airily. “You are the smartest pony in Ponyville.” She then tapped her chin, scrunching her face in deep thought. “Well, maybe except for that on stallion. But that guys a total shut in. Couldn’t even get him to come to one of my ‘You’re -a - reclusive - shut - in - and - could - really - use - a - party’ parties.” She then shrugged. “Oh well, I’ll keep trying.”

Twilight’s mouth opened to form a response but was cut off by a white hot flash of electricity. Pinkie let out a squeal of fright, tackling Twilight to the stone porch.

“P-pinkie...” Twilight wheezed in the pink mare’s vice like grip. “I c-can’t br-eathe...”

“S-s-s-sorry Twilight,” Pinkie managed to shiver out as she released her friend. “M-maybe taking a b-b-break for this long was a bad i-i-idea.”

“Nonsense Pinkie,” Twilight responded, dusting herself off from the surprise attack. She then cleared her throat. “It is a scientific fact that when lightning flashes across the sky or strikes the ground, all a pony has to do is count, in seconds, after the electrical discharge until the negative electrons counteract with the positive electrons and produce the atmospherical noise called ‘thunder’. The longer the count, the further away the storm is. Each second counted represents roughly one mile in distance.”

The blank look behind the furrowed brow gave Twilight all the information she needed: Pinkie had no idea what she’d just been told. Twilight let out an exasperated sigh.

“It means the longer it takes for the thunder to rumble after the lightning, the farther away the storm is.”

Pinkie’s expression changed from confused to clarity. “Oh... Why didn’t you say that in the first place.”

Twilight face-hooved, groaning at her friend in frustration; feeling the hairs on her back start to raise themselves against her will. Pinkie was on of her best friends, but sometimes Twi wondered if all the parties and massive sugar ingestion had taken their toll on her. The lavender mare was just about to start one of her rants when another white hot flash streaked across the low slung atmosphere above. Pinkie didn’t flinch this time; instead gazing up at the sky in wide-eyed amazement.

“Just count to see how far away it is, right?”

“That’s right Pinkie.”

“Okie Dokie Lokie,” Pinkie responded, inhaling a massive breathe of air. “One... Two...”

CRAKKA - BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!

The two mares screeched in fright; glomping one another as the loud bust of thunder roared overhead, rattling up into the base of their hooves. It was several seconds after the initial shock wore off before the pink mare spoke.

“Um T-twilight?” Pinkie asked nervously. “Maybe we should get to Flutter’s now.”

“I whole heartedly agree, P-pinkie. I’m s-sure A.J. needs our help j-just as much as Fluttershy does.”

As the next lightning bolt streaked across the sky, it illuminated the now deserted section of ‘Quills and Sofas’ porch; the faint sound of hooves disappearing into the distance.

Applejack stood on her front legs and gave the wooden peg one last buck for good measure. The peg gave a slight squeak as it was wedged tightly amongst the dam work Applejack had created. The orange, freckle-faced mare had spent the better part of the morning erecting, what she called a ‘hodge-podge’, wooden dam that had been filled with sand, rocks, and anything else she’d been able to find that would some what withstand what mother nature was going to dish out. Satisfied with her work and the soundness of the structure, A.J. let out a contended sigh, wiping the mixture of rain, sweat, dirt and debris from the bridge of her snout. A rumble of thunder caused her to cast her gaze towards the heavens, flinching as several heavier drops of rain splattered upon her face.

“This storms movin’ in ah’ bit faster‘n Ah’d realized,” A.J. said to herself aloud. “Ah hope everpony got out of town alright.”

The whole ‘evacuation’ Rainbow had eluded to earlier was beginning to eat at her. She hadn’t really given it much thought at the time as she’d been too caught up in the moment with the evacuation of her family, not to mention helping Fluttershy. Now that much of her task had been completed, she now came to the realization of her worry: Ponyville didn’t handle emergency situations well. At all.

When Spike rampaged through the town as an adult dragon, ponies were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. The same was true when the Parasprites began devouring the food, clothing, and pretty much everything else. The saving grace was that the Elements had been there to help restore peace. (In both cases there was a lot of damage to repair, but fortunately, nopony had been hurt) The main difference between then and now was Applejack’s friends. All of them come together to halt the situations before they escalated too far. Now; however, they had been split up. This did cover more ground, but it also left them vulnerable and with no way to contact each other. If something was to Fluttershy... A.J. shivered at the thought.

“Um, Appljack,” a timid voice called, snapping the orange mare back to reality. There Fluttershy stood, holding a lantern in her left hoof, it’s light showing the timid mares concerned facial features. “You were shaking. Are you cold?”

“No...” Applejack paused, unsure of how to word her response. Lying was out of the question. Her face always scrunched up funny whenever she tried, her Element of Honesty always giving her away. “Ah’m just worried is all, sugarcube.”

“Oh?” the butter yellow mare questioned, half hidden behind her damp pink mane. “Why, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“FLUTTERSHY!!” A familiar, scholarly toned voice called out. “APPLEJACK!!”

Fluttershy let out a soft squeak, darting behind A.J.’s flank as her name was called out. Applejack just smiled, sighing in relief, and pulled herself up above the barrier, ready to greet her friends. She was instantly greeted by a big grin and a pare of blue eyes.

“Hi Applejack!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Whatcha doin?”

Surprised, a wide eyed Applejack fell back onto the rain soaked earth with a soft thud, splashing mud on her coat as well as Fluttershy’s. “Blast it Pinkie,” an angry Applejack snapped, “Ya’ gotta be more careful. I plum near landed on Flutters here.”

Pinkie brought her hooves to her up to hide her quivering lip, her eyes becoming misty even in the horrid weather. A.J. sighed, retrieving both herself and Fluttershy from the muck.

“Ah’m sorry Pinks,” she began, “Ya’ just scared me a tad, s’all. Is Twilight with ya? Ah thought I heard-“

The party pony’s demeanor changed instantly back to smiles and giggles. “Oh no problem. Didn’t mean to scare ya, A.J. And yes Twilight’s-“

”Oh, there you are, Pinkie,” the lavender unicorn spoke, rising above the barrier next to her friend. “I thought I lost you for a moment in this macabre darkness. Oh and I see you’ve found Applej-“ Twilight couldn’t even finish her sentence at the sight she was now taking in. Even in the dim light cast by Flutter’s lantern, she could see both of her friends were covered in muck, to which she raised an eyebrow beneath her pink-striped forelock. She brought a hoof to her lips, clearing her throat. “Well, Pinkie and I came out her to see if you needed any assistance, but seeing as how you two are playing in the mud...”

The timid yellow Pegasus rose her head at Twilight’s comment. “Um, a-actually Pinkie-“

”Whadaya mean ‘playin in tha mud!” Applejack snapped, cutting Fluttershy off. “Why if’n you weren’t mah friend, Ah’d...”

“Wait please...”

“Oh, really?” Twilight snipped back, now clearly agitated. “That’s cute. I seem to recall a certain stubborn earth pony refusing to ask for help when...”

“Wait!”

Applejack rolled her eyes at this remark, her anger growing in the of her stomach. “Yeah? And whose the ‘fraidy pony who though she was going back to ‘Magic kidenergar-‘”

“WAIT!”

Fluttershy’s explosive outburst brought the bickering to a halt. The timid mare never raised her voice often, but when she did, it was enough to calm the angriest dragon. Her face was no longer half covered behind her mud -stained pink mane; her cyan eyes glowing with an intense fury that neither of them had seen before. She angrily chewed at her bottom lip, stamping her foreleg into the ground, a geyser of mud following its impact.

“I can’t believe you two!” Fluttershy finally spat after a few moments of tense silence. “We all have a huge job to do and the two of you are bickering over such a petty misunderstanding! Applejack heard you calling us and went to see you when Pinkie scared her! That’s why the both of us are covered in..i-in...”

The timid pegusi was unable to complete her rant; the anger and frustration vanishing as quickly as it came, replaced with regret and sadness. Her ears went flat against her head and her rear legs involuntarily gave out, plopping her haunches down roughly upon the ground.

“W-were friends...” She began sobbing, her frame shivering from the emotional turmoil. “Friends laugh and smile, comfort each other. They don’t fight.”

Both Twilight and Applejack looked at each other, then back at their friend, surprised to see Pinkie pie already embracing her. The two mares smiled warmly at each other before joining in Pinkie pie’s happy intervention. Slowly, Fluttershy’s sobs became sniffles, her shivering disappearing. She looked up from her friends’ embracing hug, smiling gently.

“I’m sorry I snapped at the both of you. It’s just that, um...”

“Ah understand Flutters.” Applejack responded. “No hard feelings, Twilight?”

“I, as well.” Twilight responded in kink. “And no, A.J. No hard feelings.”

“Yay!” Pinkie exclaimed. “I’m glad you two made up and Flutters isn’t all ‘saddy-waddy’ anymore.” She tapped a forehoof to her chin for a moment. “And you two work better when you’re both not Mr. Mc meanie-pants.”

Another loud burst of thunder rocked the group from their momentary lapse of the situation at hoof. Twilight seized the moment, just as she had during the dilemma during ‘Winter Wrap-up Day’.

“Okay everypony . Listen up. The brunt of the storm is almost upon us. We need to get finished here quickly and join Spike and Rarity at the train depot as it’s our ride to Canterlot. With the rising water, the conductor surely won’t be able wait much longer. Applejack? Are is the barrier sufficient to withstand continual punishment from said elements?”

“Ah’ built it tougher ‘n some a’ Big Mac’s special cider, but Ah’ would appreciate it if you’d give it a once o’er to double check.”

“Not a problem, A.J.” Twilight responded in kind. “How about you, Fluttershy? Are all the animals in your care free and in the clear?”

“Um almost. Angel bunny is still inside where it’s safe, but the otter family is being stubborn and refuse to leave their home. I’ve tried everything.”

Twilight took all the information in, her mind going into hyper drive, analyzing and formulating a plan of action.

“Okay,” she began after a few tense moments, “let’s get to work: Pinkie? You and Fluttershy the otters out of their den as quickly as possible. Applejack and I will put the finishing touches on things here.”

As the two groups headed towards their assigned directions, Twilight couldn’t help but look at the nearly pitch black sky.

“Dash...come home safe.”

Chapter 4

Chapter 1: Storm of the Century - part 4

“Here you are, darling,” Rarity eloquently spoke, levitating the stuff animal over to the sniffling filly. “Good as new.”

The young filly squeed in delight, wrapping her forehooves around her beloved toy. Said toy now flaunted a deep blue tuft of hair. Rarity chewed her bottom lip nervously, forcing a smile as the mother of the filly scooped her up into her hooves, smiling warmly at the alabaster mare.

“Thank you so much Miss Rarity,” she began, “for I fear I would never hear the end of it had you not rescued and *ahem* ‘fixed’ little Belles’ doll here. You truly are the most generous pony in Ponyville, but... did you really have to...”

Rarity’s cheeks went a light shade of pink at the praise. “Please my dear,” she began, waving a hoof airily in dismissal, “I couldn’t let the poor dear spend the entire trip to Canterlot is such a horrible state of despair.” The fashionata rubbed a hoof along the back of her neck, visibly wincing at the now shorter tuft of her mane. “Besides, it’ll grow back. Short manes are going to be all the rage at the Fall Fashion Show. Nothing wrong with starting early, mmm?”

As the two mares continued their conversation, Spike watched from under the depot awning, his eyes taking in the beautiful essence that was Rarity.

He’d fallen for the alabaster unicorn mare when he and Twilight first came to Ponyville over two years prior. It seemed everypony in the group of friends but Rarity knew of his crush on her, a fact that would have reached her sooner had it not been for Pinkie’s ‘Pinkie promise’. He felt it only right that he should be the one to tell her, rather than some off hoof remark by Rainbow. Even if she rejected his love, hurt him as it more than likely would, to Spike it would be sincere.

During his last birthday, his drake greed got the best of him and transformed him into a rampaging dragon. He dragon-napped Rarity, fighting everything thrown at him; a seemingly unstoppable force. Yet it was the sight fire ruby that Rarity wore upon her person he’d given his love instead of eating for his birthday gift to himself (and the subsequent kiss on the cheek he’d received as a reward for his kindness) that had brought Spike out of his monstrous ways; back into the lovable pint-sized drake that everypony knew and cared for.

Then they both were falling; the height from which he knew was fatal. The next few moments happened so fast, yet he still remembers it as if the memories were molasses, oozing slowly down his brain. His calling out to Rarity. The process of emptying his soul to the mare in front of him. Her firm, yet gentle hoof to his lips, blocking his confession. And a warm, tearful, and joyous smile that put his mind at ease. Even as the two rocketed towards the earth, he returned her smile, for he knew that she knew. No other words had to be spoken.

“Spike...”

And yet she had spoken. The angelic voice beckoning at his ear drums.

“Spike.”

Rarity spoke again, though this time her tone was more abrupt with a hint of impatience.

“SPIKE!”

“Wha?” The young drake managed to sputter out, suddenly back in reality. He now found himself nose - to -muzzle with his day dreams likeness. Only this is no day dream and it is far from happy.

“What on earth are you doing, Spike,” Rarity’s voice snipped. “You’ve been ‘zoned out’, as it were, for the past ten minutes.”

Spike rubbed the back of his head nervously. “Sorry. I, uh, was just thinking about y- I mean, about Twilight and the others. I hope they get back soon. This weather is getting worse.” Even as embarrassed as he was, Spike forced a smile at Rarity; his only hope was that the fashionata would buy his display and forget the words he;d almost let slip.

“Come now Spike,” Rarity eloquently spoke, “Twilight will be just fine. You shouldn’t worry your spikey little head.” She rubbed her hoof along his head spines for good measure; batting her eyelashes and smiling a cute, yet seductive smile. “But I really think there’s more to your story than you’re letting on, hmm?”

The sound of a throat clearing and hooves splashing brought the upcoming conversation to a halt. Rarity turned to look a the source of the small commotion with Spike peaking out from behind the fashionata’s coifed tail. A rather tall, burly brown stallion, wearing a blue and white striped vest and matching mane cover. He stopped just short of the pair, clearing his throat again. He seemed agitated, with his facial features relaying urgency and, almost, fear.

“Name’s Steam piston,” he began with a curt tone. “May I have a moment of your time?”
Spike exhaled in relief, earning him a strange and devious look from Rarity. She shuffled her mane, muzzle pointed high, making a mental note to have a ‘proper, lady-like discussion’ with Spike when the whole situation has been rectified. Steam piston raised an eyebrow at the brief exchange, but paid it no mind.

“Yes darling?” Rarity questioned, oozing out the upper crust tone of the Canterlot elite. “What is it I can assist you with?” Spike simply rolled his eyes, sticking his foreclaw to his mouth to imitate gaging.

“This will be the last train leaving Ponyville.” Steam piston uttered with an almost grim finality. “Is everypony accounted for?”

“Yes,” Spike interjected, “except for Twilight and the others. I really didn’t think it would take them this long to get back.”

“Would you two mind looking at something for a moment,” Steam piston asked, leading the two towards the final train car. He stopped and pointed a hoof at the ground. “Tell me, what do you see here?”

Rarity and Spike both followed the pointed hoof, gazing at the mud and pooling water. Nothing seemed out of the sort at first, but as Rarity turned to speak, she noticed the steel rail, or lack there of, was missing by about a foot or so. Spike noticed, too, scratching the back of his head in bewilderment.

“What is Celestia’s name...”

“Time is of the essence here,” the grizzled engineer spoke in a downtrodden tone. “The depot was not designed to handle this much water at one time. I’m afraid we might have to leave-“

”NO!” Spike bellowed, tackling the stallion to the ground, startling both the engineer and Rarity. Much as she wanted to see the young drake pummel on the stallion for even requesting that her friends be left behind, she knew now was not the time, nor did it really help the situation at hoof. A light blue sheen of arcanokinetic energy enveloped Spike, levitating him back quickly. Steam piston lunged back onto his hooves, ready to smite the dragon for, what he thought, was an unprovoked attack. The removal of said target along with the vicious state the unicorn was casting upon him changed his immediate course of action.

“As disappointed as I am in the drake’s behavior, (justified as it may be), I simply cannot condone abandoning my friends as such. We have, and still are, working to help as much as our hooves will allow and yet you have the gall to even suggest-“

”I’m sorry, lady Rarity, but if the tracks sink any deeper, this whole train and it occupants will all be for naught.” He sighed, pausing momentarily. “However, I will not just ‘abandon’ your friends to the wraths of nature.” He reached into his vest pocket, withdrawing an old-fashioned wound watch. With a simple click of his hoof it popped open, revealing a well worn and stained watch face. “I can give thirty minutes and then we must depart; with friends or without.” With a flick of his hoof, he placed it back into the pocket.

All Rarity could do was watch as the Steam piston slogged his way through the ankle high water as he checked all the cables and connections between the cars. Even as Spike’s struggles tugged at her magic holding him aloft beside her, only one thought crossed her mind.

“Thirty minutes.”

“You monster!! How could you do this to your own daughter!!” The thought screamed at her.
Dash ran her hooves through her mane and back down across her eyes; stress, anger, and exhaustion evident upon her face. She shifted uncomfortably in the chair’s harsh cushion, her irritation level still at max. Rainbow always had a mean streak in her; years of bullying in Cloudsdale’s flight school, but had learned to control it by channeling it into other directions. She looked down at her hooves, seeing them shaking uncontrollably; her anger building to a hilt once again. She drew her lids down tightly and ground her teeth together.
“Damn you, Cloudbuster! How could you do this to me?!”

(10 minutes earlier)

“...and that’s when I screamed for help,” Dash spilled out; her vision blurry from the tears that refused to stop, despite her best mental rebuking.

The whole situation with the storm and Cloudkicker had been disastrous on a life altering level. Here she was, a top-of-her-game pegusi mare, the fastest flier in all of Equestria. A future Wonderbolt mare, even. Paired with a fresh-from-basics rookie weather member; hot blooded, reckless, but smart. (A little like herself. Actually, a lot like herself’) Now her weather partner lay in a hospital unit, barely clinging to life.

Rainbow swore at herself inwardly, chastising her very soul for everything. She’d been the young mare’s role model. She’d told her she could do anything. And now, waiting here in this hospital, she’d be the one responsible for Cloudkicker’s death. If Celestia would allow it, she’d change positions with her in a heartbeat. It was only a matter of time until the doctor confided her status to Rainbow. Then, as painful as it all would be, she’d have to find Cloudkicker’s parents and explain, in gut-wrenching agony and guilt, why their daughter wouldn’t be coming home.

“...C.P.R.?” the mare sitting next to her in the waiting hall asked, snapping Dash back to reality.

“H-huh?”

“Did you give her C.P.R.?”

“Of course I did,” Dash stated matter-o-factly.. She just stared confused at her old teacher for a moment, unsure why Cloudbuster would ask such a question. C.P.R. was a required course of all Pegusi who were in weather training. During extreme storms, such as was effecting Equestria at the time, if a team member(or anypony for that matter) was unconscious, administering life saving tactics were a must since the fliers were normally right on the scene. It didn’t happen often, thankfully, but the appropriate techniques were there. “Why are you asking me, anyways? You’re the lead of your flight team. It’s standard procedure.”

“Don’t you dare lecture me, Dash,” Cloudbuster hissed angrily, causing Dash to tense in reflex. “I know the safety guidelines by heart. Don’t treat me like some foal straight out of basics.”

Red flags started popping left and right in Rainbows’ brain at the sudden angry outburst from her former teacher. This wasn’t normal for Cloudbuster at all. She was acting strange, almost as if she’d done something wrong. Dash immediately tried to head this train off before it left the station. “Don’t ruffle my feathers!” She quipped, rising up to meet the altercation head on. “You’re the one who asked me about proper protocol! I feel horrible as it is without you adding to it!”

“You should feel horrible!” Cloudbuster spat, poking her hoof forcefully into Dash’s barrel. “Because of you I might lose my-“

”Ahem, if you to ladies are quite finished,” came a stern yet professional voice. Dash quickly swatted away the hoof jabbed at her chest; both mares glaring at each other as they turned to face the interruption. This whole confrontation was far from over as far as Dash was concerned, but the update on Cloudkicker’s condition superceded any quarrel the two mares had, for now. It was then both mares took notice of the white-coated stallion standing before them. He cleared his throat again before continuing. “The name is Dr.-“

”I don’t care what your name is or who you are,” Cloudbuster snarled, pushing her way past Rainbow to channel her anger towards the stallion before her. “Just tell me how my d- I mean, how Cloudkicker is recovering.”

“Well...there was tremendous strain on her flight muscles and spinal chord, not to mention the trauma to her central nervous system from the lightning strike itself.” Dash could only listen; horrified as the doctor spoke more and more about the injuries that her partner had acquired. Cloudbuster shrank away as the spoken words pounded into her skull with undying fury. Just as she was about to break, the news came. “However, she is a strong fighter,” the doctor’s gaze shifted over to Dash. “Had your Pegusi friend here not given saved her from the fall, let alone administer C.P.R.... Let’s just say you owe her your daughter’s life.”

Dash’s eyes went wide and her jaw nearly hit the floor. “D-daughter?” Was all she could manage to force her vocal chords to produce. The look on the doctors face was nothing less than surprise, almost as if the maternal relationship between the two weather ponies was common knowledge. It all made sense now: all the red flags, the forgetfulness , the undeserved anger, the guilt laden chastising. Cloudbuster’s ears fell flat against her mane as she slowly turned to face her. Her mouth was moving; surely uttering words of apologies and praises of thankfulness, but Dash didn’t hear them. She couldn’t hear the raging storm outside, the patter of hooves on the tile floor, the audio calls for the nurses over the p.a. Nothing. Dash closed her eyes tightly, clenching her teeth at the sheer audacity of her friend. Not only had she kept her daughter a secret from her, she was fully willing to let Dash bear the brunt of her death as well. She felt a creeping shudder that worked its way from her hooves all the way to the wisps of her rainbow colored tail. It was anger - no -it was pure unadulterated rage twisting and turning at her emotions, pulling and stretching until *snap*. Rainbow’s eyes flew open, moisture gathering in their corners as she glared at the mare in front of her. Rainbow Dash saw red.

She wasn’t aware of how much time had passed or even when the color faded from her vision. She did, however, find herself on standing forcefully on her rear legs; her front pair being held firmly by a pair of burly stallion orderlies. Dash also became aware of slight movement a few inches in front of her. Looking down slightly, she saw Cloudbuster; her hoof on the left side of her cheek. Dash could see the blackness beginning to show around her left eye as well as a thin trickle of blood trailing lightly down from the corner of her mouth. Dash felt the anger welling up inside her again and roared angrily at the injured mare upon the floor:

“You monster!! How could you do this to your own daughter!!”

Chapter 5

Chapter 1: Storm of the Century - part 5

“Are yall a’rite,” Applejack called out, hoping her voice penetrated the canopy of the fallen Live Oak. “C’mon Pinkie. Flutters. Give me a sign ‘er somethin’.” Peering through the dim, overcast conditions and constant downpour, A.J. made out a faint rustling amongst the canopy leaves; followed quickly by a pair of pink, twig mangled manes popping up out of the leaves. Applejack sighed in relief.

“We’re okey dokey lokie,” came Pinkie’s chipper voice through the downpour’s onslaught. “Thanks to my ‘Pinkie sense”, I was able to dodge the big parts of Mr. Tree.” Pinkie’s tail began twitching again. “Twilight, you may want to move...”

“Look, just stay there,” Twilight interjected, vainly trying to shake the burdensome precipitation from her mane. “Applejack and I will clamber our way around and-“

Without warning, the ground beneath the two ponies liquified, unable to absorb any more of the storms fury. Applejack took Twilight’s tail in her mouth and yanked hard; pulling them both tumbling to the ground. A.J. knew the hefty tug had hurt her friend, but at least she was safe. For the time being anyway. “You alright, Twi?”

The unicorn nodded, wincing as she rubbed her flank. “I’m okay, A.J. Let’s just meet up with Pinkie and Fluttershy.”

“Uh, that may be a problem, Sugarcube.”

Twilight didn’t respond; nor did she move from her current position. She just stared, slack-jawed, at the sodden earth, or lack there of, that the pair had just been standing on. In it’s place was a cavernous maw; raging torrents of flood water ravishing softer sides of the crevice with pony-sized boulders and tree trunks large enough to give a Manticore second thoughts. There was a groan, followed by the snapping of branches as the fallen Live Oak that Pinkie and Fluttershy had emerged from gave way to the weak earth, tumbling down in a shiver of leaves before quickly vanishing into the torrents. The unicorn could only groan in disgust, not believing what was happening.

“First the tree and now this,” she grumbled, wracking her brain for a possible solution. Even given the low visibility, it was painfully obvious that the gouge in the earth ran farther that she could see. Jumping was out of the question, given the instability of the ground, not to mention, she wasn’t the most athletic pony of the bunch. She wouldn’t even make it half way across before gravity took over, plunging her into the roaring death trap below. This thought alone was enough to give her pause.

“Twi’, any ideas?”

“I – that is...um – grrrr... We could double back...,” Twilight paused momentarily, still upset at the current turn of events. “Maybe this impasse is local to the lower areas. There has to be a more stable area somewhere behind us .” By the look A.J. was imposing upon her, it wasn’t her best suggestion, but it would suffice for the time being. She looked quickly opposite to the two mares waiting for a signal from the unicorn and shouted over the roar of the flood and rain: “Pinkie! Fluttershy! I want you two to head to the train depot and wait for us there! If we don’t make it back in time...just go on without us!”

Fluttershy immediately took the offensive before Pinkie, rapidly shaking her head. “No-no-no-no-no!” she exclaimed, her voice managing to find the volume is so frequently lacked. “We can’t just leave you two behind!”

“This is not a negotiable you two,” Twilight countered. “The last train to Canterlot will leave; with or without all of us on it! I promise I’ll do my best to get A.J. and myself there safely with the rest of the ponies!”

“Only if you ‘Pinkie promise’!” Twilight just groaned. “Pinkie, now’s really not the time for-“ Pinkie just crossed her forelegs and snorted,

“‘Pinkie promise...’”

Twilight face-hooved, then proceeded with the awkward gestures that signified the pact. “Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye. Now get moving you two!”

The pair disappeared in a blur of pink and yellow as Pinkie galloped away with Fluttershy whipping behind her like a cape. Applejack gave a soft chuckle as the two mares vanished from eye sight. “Pinkie sure ain’t short on energy, aye Twi?” Twilight just nodded absently, her gaze never leaving the exact spot Pinkie and Fluttershy had just been standing moments earlier.

“Uh, you alright, Twi,” Applejack asked, trotting quickly over to her, “ya’ seem kinda, out of it. You’re not worried, are ya’ sugarcube?”

Twilight simply shook her head, sloshing her wet main around. “No, A.J.. I’m not.” She turned right and faced the orange mare. “In fact, I’m everything but alright.” A blast of lightning rolled overhead, illuminating the unicorn’s face. In that brief flash Applejack caught glimpse of pain distorted upon Twi’s features as her eyelids clamped down tightly from the unseen attacker; a pulse of energy ran up the spiral flute of her horn before escaping its’ tip with several soft ‘pops’.

“What in tarnation was that, Twi?”

“It’s my archokenesis ability is faultering. It won’t be much longer until it’s rendered useless in these conditions.” The concerned yet blank gaze Applejack returned to Twilight gave her all the information she needed. ‘Not everypony is a bookworm like you are, Twilight’ “It’s this storm A.J. The magic the Everfree forest is adding to it is canceling out my own spell-casting abilities.” She groaned painfully, her head pounding as if Pinkie was using her cerebral matter as muffin mix being beaten over and over again.

“How long has this storm been affectin’ ya’?”

“Right around the time it started raining, I guess,” Twilight spoke softly, trying to keep the throbbing down to a dull ache. “Really hard to pinpoint it exactly.”

“Are ya’ tellin’ me you knew about this, “Applejack began sternly, “and didn’t bother to tell nopony about it?”

“I thought the sudden barometric pressure difference from the storms’ rapid development was causing my sinuses to flare up,” Twilight responded in kind, desperately trying to keep the ‘discussion’ from becoming an ‘argument’. She honestly didn’t think her eardrums could take anymore abuse. “It wasn’t until I was re-enforcing the barriers at Fluttershy’s cottage that I really noticed something much worse was going on.”

Applejack’s expression softened. “Why didn’t you tell us then, Sugarcube?”

“I. . .didn’t think it was necessary, giving the fact we were all head to the train depot anyway.” Twilight visually deflated, slumping lower towards the ground. “This recent turn of events has. . .complicated things dramatically.”

Even though she was an earth pony, Applejack knew enough about the different classes understand that any unicorn without the use of their magic, know matter how short the duration, was devastating to their psyche. To her, this would be the equivalent of no longer apple-bucking and being forced to sit and watch all day long. Applejack shivered violently at the thought, letting out a rough ‘ugh’ at the very inclination. A soft glow from her immediate vicinity brought her out from her revere, her eyes shifting towards the intruder. A.J. was taken aback by the sight she was beholding. Twilight was still slumped close to the ground, but her stance had taken on a more serious and determined tone. Even though she must have been in tremendous amounts of pain, her brow was furrowed and her teeth were bared, clenched tightly in concentration. Beneath her soaked forelock, Applejack could make out the fresh tears escaping from her purple eyes.

“Twi, what in Celestia’s name are you doing?” A bewildered Applejack finally managed to choke out. “Why are you trying to use your magic when it hurts ya’ so much?”

“I *ngh* don’t have much time left before *rrgh* this storm completely renders my magic useless. I have just enough power to cast a quick teleportation spell.” Twilight lowered her horn towards Applejack and charged it with even more magic. “Tell our friends. . . tell the princesses’ I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for wh-” Applejack’s eyes went wide as the realization hit her harder that a swig from her brother’s hard cider. “Oh now ya’ don’t,” she uttered, whipping off her Stetson and placing it quickly on the unicorn’s head, effectively canceling both the light show and Twilight’s concentration. The unicorn let out a soft whimper of defeat beneath the rain-soaked hat. “Twi, why would you even consider trying that?”

“I could only summon enough magic to teleport one of us,” Twilight managed to choke out as she raised her forehoof and pushed the Stetson above her eyes to look at Applejack. The orange mare saw fresh tears rimming the bottom of her purple eyes, causing her disappointment to disappear completely. Twilight continued. “I had to save you, don’t you understand? Applebloom. Big Mac. Granny Smith. They’re your family. They’d be devastated if anything happened to you.”

“What about Princess Cadence and Shining? Your mother and father?” Applejack responded in kind, trying to reason with her friend. “Are telling me that your life would mean less to them if something happened to you?”

Twilight looked down again in defeat, knowing that A.J. was right. ‘You silly foal!’ a subconscious voice shouted at her. ‘What were you thinking? What had she been thinking? This wasn’t the reasoning and logic that somepony of her magnitude. It was flawed. Corrupt. Desperate. She simply collapsed to the ground and placed her hooves over her eyes and sobbed uncontrollably. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her: one of the best and, quite possibly, most powerful unicorns in Equestria reduced to a emotional wreck due to a freak storm and the subsequent loss of her spell casting abilities. For quite possibly the first time in her life, she had no answers. No solutions.

“Uh, Ah’m sorry if Ah was too assertive with ya’ Twi, but I couldn’t just up ‘n letcha’-“

Twilight simply shook her head and looked up drearily. “It’s not you Applejack. I - I just don’t know what to do.”

Instinctively, Applejack reached down and pulled the nearly broken mare to her hooves and placed the Stetson back upon her soaked mane. “Call me crazy, Twi, but I don’t recon Ah’ve ever know ya’ to give up.” This statement caused the unicorn to sober up out of her daze. “In fact, Ah recall a certain somepony suggestin’ we double back. Ring’n any bells, Sugarcube?”

Twilight smiled warmly in response. “Thanks. A.J.”

“Heh. What’r friends for, Twi. We’re in this together for the long haul.”

With a ‘yip’ and a holler, the two mares charged in the opposite direction, knowing that no matter the situation, they’d face it together.

“Fluttershy! Pinkie Pie!” Rarity exclaimed, wrapping her hooves around both of her friends. “I’m so glad to see you, darlings!” To say she was overjoyed to see them was a gross understatement. Even the rambunctious party pony was a sight to calm her worried conscious. The two mares were covered from head to hoof in mud, leaves, and twigs, but she didn’t care in the least. Her friends were safe; two of them at least. Before the fashionata could conjure up the words to utter, Spike spoke up.

“Where’s Twilight and A.J.,” he questioned in a mixed tone of confusion and worry. “Did something happen? Are they ok?” With every question Spike’s voice carried up an octave, the earlier confusion and worry was quickly changing to panic and desperation. Of course Pinkie, being the ever energetic, fun-loving party pony that she was, decided to explain the situation to Spike and Rarity in all its wondrous details. Unfortunately for the rest of them, this meant lots of “oohs” and “ah’s” sprinkled in with some wondrous “Pinkie Pie sing-a-longs”, added details that may or may not have occurred, and exaggeration. Lots and lots of exaggeration.

Somewhere in between Pinkie’s frivolous ranting’s and Rarity’s dramatic fainting spells, Fluttershy managed to put a hoof to Pinkie’s muzzle and inform the group of what had transpired in their journey from her cottage to just recently. That knowledge caused Spike’s heart to sink into his stomach and his draconian blood to run frigid. This was Twilight after all and, though she could be a bit hard-headed at times, she would never tell anypony to leave her or her friends behind, no matter how difficult the situation. Something was definitely wrong. Spike could feel it in his soul; it’s devilish claws ripping and tearing at his very emotions. There was so much information rattling around in his skull that he could only force his mouth to utter a single question. “How could she leave me?”

“Spike...”

“Don’t ‘Spike’ me Rarity”, the young drake snapped angrily in response, “Twilight is my sister! The only family I have! I won’t just abandon her to her fate!” Rarity just cringed at the anger directed at her.

Pinkie’s mane and tail deflated to straight at Spike’s outburst towards the fashionata. “Don’t be a ‘meanie-pants’ to Rarity. She just doesn’t want you to worry.” Pinkie turned her gaze to Rarity, “Right?”

“Of course not,” Rarity responded, the sting of Spike’s anger still lingering within her heart, “I just don’t want you over reacting about Twilight. She’s the smartest and most talented unicorn in Ponyville.” Seeing Spike’s anger and dread boiling just beneath his scales, she quickly added, “And we still have plenty of time to go find her. After all we still have a large portion of the 30 minutes Steam piston allotted us.”

Maybe it was coincidence. Or perhaps those in the depths of Tartarus felt it justified in placing their damned hooves into the just lives of the living. Whatever the reason, fate picked this convenient opportunity to introduce itself as the door behind the group slid open quickly, accompanied by the sounds of howling winds and driving rain. Another quick slide of the door and the sounds faded almost instantaneously. All head quickly turned towards that general direction to find the source of the intrusion. Another stallion, much younger this time, stood before them, his blue and gold clad uniform soaked straight through. He approached the group slowly, the gait of his walk and the regretful look upon his muzzle was all the sign Spike needed. He knew, deep down he knew, it was over. Their time had expired. The stallion stopped just short of them and cleared his throat gingerly.

“I am looking for a ‘Miss Rarity’, ”he spoke eloquently, though Spike could hear the tinge of regret within his vocal chords. The alabaster fashionata approached him quickly.

“I am Rarity,” she responded in kind. “What is it I can do for you?”

“Isn’t it obvious, Rarity,” Spike shot coldly while his gaze remained fixated upon the stallion, “he’s here to say our time is up. Isn’t that right?”

“WHAT!” Rarity exclaimed, nearly pinning the conductor against the wall. It took the combined effort of Pinkie and Fluttershy to pry the fashionata loose from her prey. “There is no way is Celestia’s great name that the allotted time has expired!”

“Please,” Fluttershy begged feverishly, “don’t do this.” The timid pegasus knew this outburst would solve nothing, despite her disagreement with leaving her friends behind. “Neither Applejack or Twilight would want us bickering like this.” Pinkie simply nodded rapidly in agreement. “Besides, it’s not his fault we have to leave. . .”

“I’m staying,” came the simple yet direct phrase from the young dragon. “If Twilight has to stay behind. . . so will I.”

The sounds of feminine yelps and squeaks emanated briefly in the rail car as both Pinkie and Fluttershy were flung to the floor as Rarity turned her attention away from the stallion and focused on Spike, her mouth hanging agape. For a few seconds, that was all she could manage to do. This decision by Spike, why, it was preposterous. Neigh, it was down right suicide. The fact the group was so close to losing Twilight and Applejack was heart-wrenching enough, but to lose Spike. . . She could only shudder momentarily at the inkling before forcefully placing her hooves upon Spikes’ shoulders.

“Spike, please listen to reason,” Rarity’s voice quivered, her emotions not relinquishing their desire to burst forth. “I-you can’t-“

Rarity squealed in surprise as Spike reached up and, forcefully, removed her hooves from his person. He didn’t meet her gaze, instead looking at the designs intricately woven into the carpeting. “This is not up for debate, Rarity,” was the only phrase he allowed past his lips.

Spinning 180 on his heels, Spike made his way to the car’s rear exit, quickly glancing at Pinkie and Fluttershy; both still woozy from the earlier tussle with Rarity. He simply nodded curtly at the pair and reached a clawed hand out to pull the door open.

“No!” Rarity screamed, tackling the drake sending them both to the floor in a tangle of limbs. “I won’t lose you, too! I-I can’t.”

Somewhere amongst the bickering and tussling, there was a sound the drowned out the patter of rain, the cries of pleading and hopelessness, even the shocked gasps of the three other ponies that remained speechless.

Rarity held a hoof to her cheek, her indigo eyes shimmering in disbelief at what had just transpired. He’d struck her. Spike actually struck her. Everything she’d been holding back streamed down her cheeks in fresh tears, yet her expression remained one of shock.

“. . .Spike. . .” her voice quivered.

The horror of his actions struck the drake like a sucker punch from a prize fighting stallion. It was an accident, but no amount of apology or reprieve would undo the damage he’d bestowed, not only upon her and his fleeting chance with her, but his remaining friends as well.

He couldn’t stand it. The way she looked at him, like he’d called her the ugliest creature in Celestia’s land. It was both heart and gut wrenching. If there was an inkling of second thoughts about staying aboard, they vanished just as one of Twilight’s friendship reports on it’s way to Canterlot and the Princess’ throne room. He bit his lip and shamefully reached for the pull handle. This time he was stopped by a the conductor himself as he placed his forehoof upon the door frame, prohibiting exit. Spike didn’t move ans simply awaited the blow that was coming in return.

“Son,” the stallion began, “are you sure you want to go through with this? Once you pass out this door, all rail cars go on lock down. Nopony goes in or out until we reach Canterlot; not even myself.”

Surprised at the lack on blunt force that had yet to be applied to his person, Spike simply nodded in reassurance, and pulled the handle; greeted with an intense blast of frigid wind and rain. Stepping out into the fray, he gave on more long look at his dream that he’d ruined unintentionally as she remained in a state of shock.

“Rarity. . .I’m. . .you deserve somepony better. I-I’m sorry.”

The sound of the door slamming and locks clicking into place snapped Rarity out of her daze.

“To Tartarus with everything!” She declared, and charged the door with all her might only to negated exit by the solid oak re-enforced portal. A brief attempt to unlock the exit with her magic was met with blue sparks of weak arcane energy spitting and popping from her horn’s tip. Raring up she began pounding her forehooves against the re-enforced glass to no avail. The soft pads of her hooves squealed as she slid down to the floor in defeat, a mournful sob ringing free from her very soul.

The sound of the steam escaping as the brakes released, nor the gentle lurch of the engine beginning its accent towards the capital, not even the reassuring words that the remaining ponies bestowed upon her changed the one thing she knew was certain. A fact that made her body spasm as the intensity of her sorrow grew to new heights.

Her Spikey-wikey was gone forever.

Chapter 6

Chapter 1: Storm of the Century - part 6

The door to Cloudkicker’s room creaked open slowly, bringing Dash out of her mental reverie as she looked up from her hooves wearily. She was exhausted; the storm’s fury combined with the guilt and anger over Cloudkicker’s condition, compounded with Cloudbuster’s lies and Dashs’ subsequent lashing out. Truth be told the exhaustion was more mental and emotional than pure physical. Her expressive, rose tinted eyes locked onto the forms that exited the room at nearly the same time. The nurse, (Nurse Monitor to be exact), fixed her gaze upon the rainbow-maned mare, gave a tired, yet confiding, smile before turning hard left, aiming for the nurses station directly down the hospital corridor. Dash only watched her go, her hoof steps growing steadily fainter until both vanished from sight and sound.

“...Dash...”

The sound of her name being called by her former teacher made the fur on Dashs’ back stand at attention. Her stomach became a erupting cauldron of bitterness as she glared daggers at the older mare; flames dancing just behind her rose-tinted iris’.

“You’ve got some nerve,” Dash seethed, doing her best to keep the bitter, bile-covered language from rolling off her tongue. “If you think I’ll just up and forgive you for l-“

”She wants to see you, Dash,” Cloudbuster uttered lowly and defeated. She trotted past the seated pegasus towards the main lobby. She stopped just shy of the double doors and looked wearily over her shoulder, “just hear her out, for my sake.”

Dash scuffed the door with her hoof, gently creaking it open. She entered nervously, her hoof falls echoing like drum beats upon the tiled flooring. She knew Cloudkicker was alive but knowing what she knew about Cloudbuster, it made her stomach knot up.

Swallowing hard, Dash moved carefully to Cloudbuster’s bedside, doing her best to keep her hooves from unplugging any of the monitoring machinery attached to the young mare. As she approached, she could hear the strong, rhythmic heart beats pulsing on the ECG; see the gentle rise and fall of her chest beneath the pristine sheets. She looked serene, almost angelic in state.

“No, I won’t think like this,” Dash mentally chided, shaking that though train until it derailed. “She’s gonna live to be the buckinest storm flier ever.”

“...Dash... “

”Hey kiddo,” said Dash, smiling warmly, “glad to see you’re alright..” A pause. “Your... mom told me you wanted to speak with me?”

The word ‘mom’ came out harsh, cold, and bitter, the way Dash had not intended. At least not in front of Cloudkicker. Dashs’ pride could only deteriorate as she saw the young mare’s body deflate slightly as she sighed.

“You’re still mad at her, aren’t you Dash?”

Rainbow just ground her teeth. “Furious.”

Cloudkicker knew the answer to her next question yet in order for Rainbow to truly understand her mothers motives and reasoning, she’d have to ask it anyway. She stilled herself and let the word fly.

“Why?”

Rainbow slammed her hooves down on the bedside as the simmering cauldron of anger within the pit of her stomach erupted into a geyser once again.

“Why? WHY!? Oh, I don’t know,” Dash began in a heavily sarcastic tone, “maybe it’s the fact you so called ‘mother’ kept her only daughter’s identity a secret from her best friend, let her go out into the worst storm fresh out of basics, and has the gall to place blame of her present condition upon said friends shoulders – me.” Shoving off the bedside, Dash plopped herself down into the bedside recliner. “No, kiddo, I haven’t the slightest inclination as to why I should be mad at Cloudbuster.”

The sarcasm was unnecessary, yet Rainbow couldn’t stop the flow of anger and bitterness; the proverbial dam had burst and not even the Princess’ combined magic would be enough to stifle the egress of fetid emotions. Dash exhaled exhausted, pinching her nose with her hoof’s pad. A faint whimper cause the pegasus to look up. What she saw made her feel two inches tall.

Propped up on her pillow lay Cloudkicker, eyes squished tightly, sobbing quietly. I her hooves she was clutching a small, worn picture frame; something Dash never noticed. (Maybe she had noticed but was too far gone in anger to care) Way to go, Dash. Keep making things worse. Leaning forward in the recliner, Dash reached out and placed a hoof on the younger mare’s shoulder. “Hey,” she began in a soft tone, “I’m sorry for taking it out on ya. Really, I am. It’s just. . . Everything’s falling apart. I don’t know who to believe or even how I should feel.”

“I know,” Cloudkicker sniffled as she gazed at her idol with puppy-dog eyes. Relaxing her grip on the frame, she lay it face down upon the bed sheet and slid it slowly over towards Rainbow. “I want you to look at this.”

Gently, Rainbow reached down and flipped the rustic frame gently as not to damage it. Despite its obvious age and wear, the inverse side was nearly immaculate, save a few scuffs and nicks along the glass’ upper right corner. Tilting it slightly to remove the glare, Dash examined the photo sandwiched between the glass. Two pegusai, one mare and one stallion, graced the center of the picture. Dash recognized the mare almost instantaneously. It was Cloudbuster; albeit a much younger version of the mare. A shy grin emboldened the young mares face as she is embraced by the stallion’s wing. Rainbow squinted at the image of the stallion, trying to discern it. Said pegusai stallion sported an off-white coat, a black cropped main and tail with the edges frosted in a deep crimson, and a rather adoring set of golden orbs for eyes. His posture hid his cutie mark but Dash felt something vaguely familiar about him.

“This stallion.” She said, eyes remaining fixed upon the photo. “Who is he?”

“Red Dawn.” Cloudkicker responded, nervously tapping her hooves together. She was still frazzled by Rainbow’s earlier outburst, but she pressed onward, knowing deep down it was for everypony’s good. Too much had gone unaccounted for. Time to set the records straight, once and for all. “My dad.”

Even if Princess Celestia had told her this before hoof, the news still came as a shock to Rainbow. It took a few moments for her brain to stop it’s rattling and process any type of retort. “Why are you telling me this?” Smooth Rainbow. Just the question you needed to ask.

Cloudkicker sighed and took a deep breath. “Mom told me you always visited her when she was in the hospital all those years ago. Did she ever tell you why she was there?”

“No, but the physicians told me a random lightning strike nearly ended. . .” Dash shivered, recalling the exact circumstances that had nearly claimed the young mare before her. She cleared her throat before continuing. “She was very lucky.” Dashs’ last words formed a sever understatement of said event.

“That’s. . . not exactly what happened.”

“What?”

Cloudkicker reached out with her hooves, motioning for the image in Dashs’ grasp; to which she returned, confusion plastered upon her muzzle. Dash could only watch, unable to speak, as the mare opposite her glided her hooves gently across the glass pane. She took a deep breath once again, giving Dash the inclination something serious was about to be exposed.

“It was just after Celestia had decreed that every quadrant near the Everfree Forest have its own weather team. Something about the growing population around the area demanding a more rapid response to seasonal emergencies. I think I was maybe two years old at the time it happened.”

“Cloudbuster really taught you history well.” Dash commented off-hoof, having becoming so engrossed in the events that her anger had subsided to almost naught. Rainbow shifted her haunches within the cushion, trying to get more comfort from them. This was also another part of the reason she hated hospitals. Damn furniture was too harsh. “But I still don’t understand what all this has to do with-“

”Windswept,” Cloudkicker forcefully uttered, catching Rainbow off guard “That’s where. . . my dad. . .”

Windswept: The highest plateau in the Saddles Range Northeast of Ponyville. Rumor had it that, at one time, the Wonderbolts Academy was located atop its’ polished top. Others claimed it was the highest ‘mountain’ in the Saddles until the battle between Princess Celestia and Nightmare Moon sheared off a large portion of its’ peak; subsequently creating Boulders Gorge. Whatever the story, (or ‘truth’ if you wish to call it that) the reason the Windswept brought up so much controversy was its’ uncanny ability to ‘catch’ remnants of other Pegusi created storms and lock them in the crevasses runing like massive rivulets down the marble-like sides; sometimes for weeks on end. Thanks to much stricter regulations and fiercer training of managing wind currents, situations of the magnitude were almost non-existent. Unfortunately for Dash, the mention of that name only managed to bring back bitter memories for the rainbow maned mare. Such rules and regulations were only in their infancy when she was a cadet; a certain lead mare of the Cloudsdale team grounding her entire curriculum from the juniors on down. It had been unfair. Rainbow remembered the anger and near deafening argument with Cloudbuster at the time. It took several of the senior members to restrain the pegasus to keep her in check. It was only a Celestia given miracle that she hadn’t been kicked out of flight school all together.

She’d flown to her dorm in a fit of rage, slamming the door so hard it caused Gilda to jump in surprise. Hour after hour she pummeled her pillow; sobbing as blow after blow reduced her comforter into nothing more that shredded linens and an entire room full of down. Her rage finally subsided but still she wept, distraught of the unfairness that Cloudbuster had waylaid upon her. Even Gilda, her roommate and friend (at least until she turned into a complete jerk when she visited Ponyville) finally gave up, bellowing out something about ‘crying over spoiled hay’ before heading out somewhere for the evening.

Gilda couldn’t understand; more that likely never would, that being the best was in her nature. The very core of her soul was to continually strive for excellence; pushing and pushing until every part of her body ached, burned. Then push it some more. So far the only thing she’d managed to work out were her vocal chords. For days afterwards, she’d been hoarse; whispering the answers to her study hall questions as best she could. The only thing that was louder that the students chiding and laughter was the echo of her sobs still ringing in her ears. In fact they seemed to be growing louder and louder, punctuated intermittently by large gasps for air.

“Was I really in that bad of shape,” Rainbow mused to herself as the sounds of unbridled hurt and sadness continued growing in length. “Wait a tic - Cloudkicker.“

”I’m sorry, Dash,” the young mare sobbed, clenching the photo tightly to her chest, “but I can’t. . .I-I just can’t.” She looked up at Dash pitifully, her face streaked with fresh tears. “I know we both kept you in the dark for so long. So many times I wanted to tell you, but I was too afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“That you would hate me and mom.”

Dash clambered upon the bed next to the injured pegasai and embraced her warmly, carefully avoiding the injured areas. “Don’t say that. Don’t even think it. I could never hate you or Cloudbuster.”

She sniffled, looking up at Rainbow. But I heard you scream... saw mom’s face.”

Dash felt her stomach twist in knots. She had lashed out in pure rage alone, foregoing any consequences for her actions at the time. The proverbial chickens had ‘come home to roost’ and now she found herself in the precarious position of explaining herself as delicately as possible. She eased her embrace and looked her friend in the eyes. “I was angry. I felt so betrayed that I lashed out without thinking clearly.”

A small sniffle and a smile. “Yeah, mom said you had a bad habit of that, even during the Academy years.” It was nothing more that a playful jab. Dash found herself smiling, her heart strings starting to overcome the tightness of her sorrow.

“Yeah. That sounds like me alright.,” the prismatic mare responded, tussling the young mare’s mane gently; greeted by one more sniffle and a stifled yawn. She’s exhausted. Don’t doubt it, though. Been a rough day for everypony. “I’m going to talk to Clou- I mean, your mom now,” Dash spoke as she eased off the bedside, “and I want you to get some rest.”

It was time to get some answers.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Dash asked; trotting along side her former trainer. She’d caught up to the older mare rather quickly, which lead Rainbow to believe Cloudbuster had returned to her daughter’s room shortly after leaving the first time, and had listened in upon the conversation within.

“I thought it would have been obvious by now.” Cloudbuster responded rather flatly. “Don’t tell me you spent this entire time in there and you still don’t understand.”

Keep it together Dash... “Look,” Dash started, twitching her tail in frustration, “I’m more confused now that ever. I know partially why you kept your daughter’s identity a secret all these years, but that still doesn’t explain why you grounded us, especially me.” She sighed. “What happened at Windswept. Why were you really in the hospital.”

Dash had to apply the breaks as Cloudbuster made a ninety degree turn and headed to the snack room on their right. She swung the door open quickly, motioning Dash inside, smacking her flank as she trotted past. With a swift movement, Cloudbuster slammed the door shut, following it quickly with a soft ‘click’.

“Sit,” the older mare commanded, pointing to a small, rectangular table and a set of four rather uncomfortable looking chairs. Dash simply did as she was told, wanting nothing more that to have an ending to this part of her life; simple closure, nothing more. She only watched as Cloudbuster cantered over to the set of vending machines. Removing a few bits from her saddle-bags she slid them in, a loud rattle escaping from the pit somewhere within the machinery. A few hoof presses on the keypad, (and a couple on the sides for good measure) she returned to where Dash had seated herself and placed two containers of apple juice and a few bags of Hay Fries upon the table before taking a seat herself.

The hiss of carbonation escaping the can only made Dash even more anxious to learn the truth. “Okay, Dash. Let’s get started, shall we?”

Chapter 7

Chapter 1: Storm of the Century - part 7

Spike pressed back against the library door with all his might, desperately trying to re-hinge the clasps into their ‘locked’ positions. It was an almost futile struggle, given his short stature, but finally was able to overcome the onslaught of both wind and rain. He leaned against the wooden frame, wiping the mixture of sweat and precipitation from his scales, exhaling a puff of smoke as he did so. The trek from the depot had been arduous at best; the downpour’s intensity had nearly doubled in his short journey, making navigation almost impossible. Spike had long ago memorized his way around Ponyville so finding the library was a piece of sapphire cake; though the knee high flood water made his short legs work twice as hard. However, the weather wasn’t the only reason for his difficulties.

“Twilight! Applejack!” Spike called out, his voice echoing throughout the seemingly abandoned tree house. “Anypony here?” Deafening silence returned his calls. Spike grabbed his head in frustration and gritted his teeth. “No. No! NO! This isn’t happening!”

When Pinkie, in her own amiable way, had informed them about Twilight and Applejack, nopony really worried much. Twilight was smart, incredibly so, and any setback was nothing more than a challenge that was met head on. She always put others’ safety first, no matter the danger. And Applejack? Stubborn and hard-headed, but always there when you needed her. Together, the two were unstoppable; with the other Elements together. . . Well, the results spoke for themselves. So why was it that when the conductor informed them about the forced departure, he all but lost it?

This though continued as he removed himself from the arch of the entrance and subconsciously made his way up the spiral stairs. Maybe Twilight and A.J. were inside; just exhausted from their previous tasks. Or maybe, they had made a fortification of pillows, blankets, and the like to ride out the storm. This very inclination put Spike somewhat at ease. IF what he was rationalizing was true. . . ‘Twi can write a note to the Princess and have me send it to let our friends know we’re all okay! Sis, you’re a genius!’

A sudden gust of wind struck the library, blasting the port window asunder. Spike was flung against the far wall as a solid blast of frigid rain and debris slammed into his person. The wall lanterns flickered against the sudden onslaught of howling winds, threatening to extinguish themselves. Regaining his footing, Spike flung the mass of debris from himself and pushed back against the unwelcome invader, trying desperately to close its only access inside. With an energy sapping shove, Spike managed to re-latch the widow, halting the attack in its tracks. Spike sank down just below the window; catching his breath as the flickering of the lamps died down, restoring the lighting to a much warmer glow. As his draconic eyes adjusted to the lighting difference, he cast his view upon the debris that had impacted him just moments prior. Nestled in between the mangled branches and mass of leaves was a soaking wet mass that looked vaguely familiar. Squinting, he edged closer, pulling away the bits of debris until he found-

“. . .Applejack’s hat?”

The situation didn’t register with his brain at first; even as he retrieved it from the floor. Aside from when she was sleeping, Applejack was never without her signature Stetson. Even at the Royal Wedding she managed to sneak it on during the exchanging of vows. Surely now she wouldn’t-

“Oh no,” he whispered as a lavender follicle of mane hair protruded from the slickened leather hat band. The haunting echo of Pinkie’s words made their way to the front of his subconsciousness. ‘If we don’t make it in time, leave without us.’

Spike hung his head in defeat. All his ideas, his hopes for seeing Twilight again, gone. It was over. All he had left were fond memories and a hat containing a single strand of her hair. He simply clutched Applejack’s hat tightly against his chest, unable to cry or morn at his - their - loss. He shuddered as a chill shot up his spine as he realized that he and he alone must now be the one to inform the citizens of Ponyville and, more importantly, the remaining Element bearers as well as Princess Celestia. Now only one question remained: how to contact everypony else.

“I could always. . .”

‘Always what?’ His mind screamed through the storm of mixed emotions. ‘Go back to the train? News flash: it’s already gone.’

“Shut up.” Spike hissed aloud; condemning the actions his mind was adding to the already horrid situation.

‘Oh really? You’re trying to assault me? After everything you said and did to Rarity?’

“Shut up!”

‘You want to know the sickeningly ironic part of all this is? Even if you do manage to survive until help arrives, if you are able to break the news to our friends gently, and even if you are forgiven by Rarity for your actions against her, you’ll spend the rest of your long, draconic existence knowing that you failed. Failed to save Twilight, failed to save Applejack, being reduced to nothing more that a sad, love-struck little dragon; forever to be Rarity’s bitch.’

“SHUT UP!” Spike roared as he spun and punched the trees’ staircase wall; the insistent driveling of his psyche pushing him to his limit and then some. If there was any pain at all, he didn’t feel it; far too emotionally numb to register anything physically damning. After several tense moments wrangling with his inner voice, he pulled away from the side wall, knowing his task at hand would be difficult.

One thing was for sure, Spike adamantly refused to remain in the tree house to wait out the storm; too many memories. Where then, was the question. Sweet Apple Acres? While higher in elevation and safely away from the flood waters, it was on the complete opposite side of Ponyville; a trek smack-dab through the middle of town and into the heart of the disaster. The only other logical place would be back at the train depot; though not as secure as the Apple estate, it was really the best, and quite frankly, only option left.

A few moments (and a rummage around the maintenance closet) later, Spike emerged with an old emergency water-proof lantern, the old wooden staff from his “Dragon Migration” experience, and an small ration of gems he’d hidden away in case of emergency (or late night snacking). Swiftly, he knotted the burlap sack upon the far end of the staff and slung it upon his shoulder. Taking up the lantern in his spare hand, Spike placed it upon the library counter. There was a brief ball light as Spike exhaled a wisp of flames upon the lantern’s exposed wick. As he slid the brass-encrusted glass shield closed, his eyes wandered upon several pictures framed and neatly organized upon the counter’s far corner. As he edged closer, the images became more and more clear, rekindling memories of happier times. Partying at the ‘Summer Sun Celebration’, Pinkie’s birthday, last years ‘Hearths Warming Eve’ get-together. Glimpses of the enjoyable moments of bygone days. Unable to take the tormenting of his emotions, Spike did something he hadn’t done in a long, long time.

Spike wept.

Hospitals are know for their quiet demeanor. Even during the worst of situations, their waiting areas and patient rooms filled to the brim, every pony, griffin, or otherwise, a few moments of inner peace and tranquility could be had by all. This was especially true in the staff areas and such. If a pony was to walk by the staff’s break room, however, they’d find quite two pegasai mares. Both seated opposed one another, having quite a heated debate.

“. . .blasted foals would have even bothered to listen to the warnings. Read the posted signs. For bucks sake, how much more advisement do ponies need?”

“Cloud, you’re getting distracted...”

This conversation had been this way ever since Cloudbuster decided to “lay the facts down”. Just about the time Dash was getting some real information, Cloud would go off on some wild tangent; such as the one just now. The situation was leaving Rainbow more than a little peeved and, if not for Cloudkicker’s request, she’d have already lost her cool.

Cloudbuster let out a long, exasperated sigh, trying to defuse the tension in her voice and within the room. “It just makes me so frustrated I could pull my mane out. Grrrr- now where was I?”

“Red Dawn, what happened at Windswept, you know, the whole nine yards?”

“Right...”she began, taking the final swig from her container. “I met my him at the annual “Cloudsdale Sky Festival”.

“Ooh...,” Dash began; her voice dripping with sarcasm, “isn’t that the “party” where the “Cloudsdale Elite” parade around their children so that the peasants can bring thier colts and fillies to mingle in hopes of getting ‘hitched with the rich’? Pfft. Talk about politics.”

Cloud slammed her hooves down upon the table, raising it up a few inches. “Dammit Dash!” she bellowed. “That’s not what happened!”

Dash responded the gesture in kind. “Oh come on! You know that’s what goes on there! Why do you think my parents– ...my parents... Damn you, Cloud! You’ve lied to me for so long... and now you made me bring up my parents!”

The two mares glared at each other, flames dancing in their eyes that threatened to ignited one another. Neither on flinched, refusing to back down.

“Look,” Cloudbuster muttered, the first to attempt defusing the situation, “we can either continue bickering and never get anywhere, or take a deep breath and finish our conversation like two normal mares. Your choice.”

“Fine,” Rainbow countered, easing back into her seat. “Continue, if you please.”

“And, for the record Dash, I am fully aware that’s what goes on during the festival,” Cloud responded smugly as she returned to her seating posture. “I was there for a little R and R during Flight Camps’ Summer break.” Cloud suddenly clasped her hooves together, her eyes sparkling like a school-age filly in love. “Ooh! You should have seen him, Dash. The true epitome of a gentle-stallion.”

Dash rolled her eyes and leaned forward across the table top. “Uh, I kinda did. Your daughter showed me a picture of you two.” As Rarity would say: ‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’ Or something to that effect.

Cloudbuster shook her head. “Neither words nor pictures could do him justice,” she retorted, still in her dream-world like state of being. “He was a bit of a goof ball at times but in his eyes I was a Princess who had no equal.”

Dash responded by pointing a hoof to her open mouth to imitate gagging. Cloud rolled her eyes annoyingly in response before continuing.

“We dated for several months and, at The Cumulus, he knelt down at the table-side and asked for my hoof in marriage. What could I have said but ‘yes’. It wasn’t long after that I went into heat and became with foal. I was torn at first, loving the fact that I was going be a mother, but unsure if I was fit to be one in the first place.”

“Well, that would explain why you were so... Tense? I mean you were hard on us during Safety 101. It was like there was no pleasing you.” Dash recalled the incident, or rather, ‘incidents’, that led to a substitute pegusai being used. It all made sense now. Well, a good portion of it did, yet there were more pieces of the puzzle yet to be placed for the complete picture.

“Well, excuse me,” Cloudbuster snapped angrily. “I’d never been in a relationship, let alone pregnant before. Why don’t you try it and see how it feels.”

“STOP MAKING ME THE BAD GUY!!” Dash screamed, causing the window to vibrate. “I’ve done nothing wrong, yet you continue to take it out on me! Unless you want your other eye to match, I suggest you cut to the chase!”

Cloud stared, her jaw dropped and wide-eyed. This wasn’t an empty threat or bluster. Rainbow was serious. In hindsight, she didn’t blame the mare. If the roles were reversed, she doubted the outcomes would have been any different. After a few moments to re-collect herself, Cloud continued.

“It was just after ‘Kickers’ third birthday party that we got the scroll from Princess Celestia. Apparently, a family went hiking near Windswept and their little colt became separated. Unfortunately, some of the “straggler” cells from the previous ‘Winter Wrap-Up’ began to flare up with the current climate, causing a dangerous instability within the peaks’ weather pattern.”

“How big of an “instability” are we talking here?” Dash asked inquisitively.

“Like “high wind-driven blizzards punctuated by sheets of freezing rain and high discharges of lightning” instability,” Cloud stated bitterly, digging her hooves into the table top. Dash could see the frustration and anger building in her eyes; her expressions. Yet this was not directed at her personally. Whatever internal struggles Cloud was fighting with, it was obvious to Dash that they were about to break their restraints and boil over.

“Look,” Dash began, her voice low and soothing, “we can stop now. If this brings up too much pain then...”

“N-no,” Cloudbuster managed to choke out, the corners of her eyes beginning to mist. “You need to hear this.” Dash nodded silently in response.

“Celestia had already dispatched Streak and Rapidfire of the Wonderbolts but it would take them some time to arrive. I tried to reason with Red, saying we needed more Pegusi to secure the weather, but he was adamant in rescuing the families’ foal before it was too late.”

Rainbow knew where this was headed; she could feel it in her bones. She opened her mouth to speak, to utter any kind of sound, just to stop her teacher, her friend, from reliving past horrors. Yet her vocal chords refused to function, almost as if this was her payback for forcing the issue in the first place. All she could do was listen, frozen in shock, as Cloudbuster continued.

“We met up with the ‘Bolts, thankfully, about half a mile from Windswept and tried to access the situation. Even from the distance we were positioned we could tell it was bad. Snow and thunderstorms definitely don’t mix.

Spitfire hoofed over a pair of thermal flight suits to help us battle the conditions. I mean, if we couldn’t reach the peak in one condition, the whole rescue would be for naught. The four of us then split into two teams, one for search and rescue, the other to fight the storm clouds. We’d switch every ten minutes or so just to keep the storm team’s wings from icing over. The four of us continued this pattern for over an hour, yet with no signs of the foal.

Just as we were about to call it quits, Streak spotted the target from above; the you colt’s body near the entrance of an old Quarry eels’ den. Red was the first to reach him, and judging by the look upon his face when the rest of us arrived, it wasn’t good. The poor kid was in pretty bad shape; unconscious, but alive. He’d managed to find this shelter for himself, but exposure to the elements had taken its toll. Unfortunately, we only knew the basics of first aid and were under equipped to administer any type of help.”

Rainbow remembered similar situations popping up during her tenure at Cloudsdale’s Weather Dynamics class. Most of ‘search and rescue’ tactics focused more on finding the lost stallion or mare than it did medical assistance. Well, at least nothing more that the basics, anyway. Then enforcement of stricter training and rules in that department (enforced by the Princess’) made sure such problems were now non-existent. Of course, those rules didn’t apply in this situation. Nor did they help Rainbow to stop Cloud from continuing.

“Please,” Rainbow begged, her cheek fur turning dark blue from the tears streaming downward, “stop this.” Reaching across the table, Dash placed her hooves upon Clouds. “Please.”

Cloud pulled her hooves away slowly, giving a small, sad smile. “I... I’m sorry, Dash, but you’ll only be more angry and confused if I stop now.”

With her heart breaking, Rainbow wept silently as her former teacher continued.

Author's Note

What a way to end the chapter, right? Don't worry. It all works out for everypony in the end. Chapter 8 may be the same length or shorter/longer depending on how I want the events to wrap up. Don't worry, the other characters will show up and well get to see Knightstride make a 'grand entrace' later on. Ciao until later,

Zillaman

Chapter 9

Chapter 1: Storm of the Century - part 9

...Dash...

Her name had been called, but she did not respond; too caught up in the vision before her to acknowledge it. Those around her could only see her wide-eyed rose iris’ appearing massive against the pin-prick sized pupils. Coupled with the expressionless face, it was quite an eerie sight.

...Please...

Strange this dream was, yet something about it was very familiar. The colors! That must be it! Shades of lavender, purple, and pink surrounded variations of orange, green, and yellow speckled lightly with darker variants of purple and green. Then it clicked: her friends! Or, at least, the representation of her friends. It was hard to understand why they’d be represented in abstract.

...Didn’t mean to...

The colors then shifted into chibi like versions of her friends, still abstract but much more recognizable. The three laughed, joked, and played. Nothing out of the ordinary so far. Then suddenly, Spike was gone. He didn’t walk out of the vision or shift into another random image, he was just gone. Twilight and Applejack looked shocked, then confused, then sad.

...How hard did you hit her?...

...I - I don’t know... She won’t respond...

The vision shifted again, this time displaying both her friends upon an old wooden building of some sort. The vibrant colors that had previously composed them was gone, replaced with cooler, darker tones similar to the first stage of corruption used on them by Discord. Rain had also entered the dream, too, forcing the twosome higher and higher. They huddled together as the water rose higher and higher, threatening to consume them both.

...NURSE!!! Somepony! Anypony! I think she’s in shock!...

She tried flying towards them, only to see the vision pull away. No! Let me help you! The image began swirling into a vortex, nauseatingly pulling the helpless pair down into the gyrating center; the colors steadily losing more and more of their vibrance until the mixture became nothing more than varying shades of gray, then to pitch black. From the inky darkness, a golden circlet emerged. Upon the circlet each of their Elements appeared; perfectly and harmoniously spaced with silver-blue, hair thin slivers connecting them the Element of Magic. Everything seemed perfect. Flawless. Yet, again, something was amiss, she could feel it.

Twilight’s Element, as well as Applejack’s, slowly began to lose their luster, becoming matte in tone. Just like the abstract image moments before, the two elements transitioned gray before flickering once, twice, then black as the void.

...She’s not responding!...

The invisible force that had been forcing her back released its bonds, allowing the panicking Pegasus to reach to vision before her. C,mon Dash, focus. Reaching out, she attempted to touch the Element of Magic, but her hoof simply phased through. Again and again she tried, each result no different from the last. Tears began welling in the corners of her eyes.

“Stop it, stop it, stop it!” she screamed at the darkness, “this isn’t funny!”

Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest, pounding her rib cage; her breathing coming in erratic, heaving gulps. This was a nightmare, it had to be. None of these images made sense to her. Was it Discord? But how could he be in her mind? He was locked away in stone by the Elements. So what was this, then? Exertion from battling the elements outside? That must be it; not to mention the emotional stress from Cloud’s ‘surprise’. So... so why weren’t her breathing and heart rate believing this?

There was the sharp, resounding sound of glass splitting and fracturing that echoed around the circlet. Looking frantically around for the source, Rainbow found hair line cracks appearing upon the remaining Elements, even her own! Bit by bit, tiny flecks began flaking away, gyrating towards the centers’ dark abyss. The fragments began forming an image before her; Dash could only watch, too
paralyzed in shock and fear to do much else. Moments before everything vanished into nothingness, the fragmented Element pieces formed a tombstone in the center of the circlet. Upon the stone were these words:

Twilight Sparkle

Spike Sparkle

Applejack

___________________

Always remembered for their sacrifices.

Gone but never forgotten.

Rainbow Dash screamed.

The scream was deafening within the confinements of the narrow hallway, a grieving wail that shook even the most hardened hospital staff to the core. It was as if this mare had seen somepony die. Spitfire and Soarin’ watched silently as Cloud tried to approach only to jerk right to avoid Rainbow’s erratic punches and kicks. She was just about to risk tackling Dash when she was pushed aside briskly.

“Whoa, easy there,” one of the aids remarked as she dodged Rainbow’s flailing legs. “You’re okay now. Just take a deep breath and relax.”

“Twilight... Applejack...” Rainbow muttered as she staggered to her hooves, blindly knocking several aids asunder. “Gotta go...” as she began wandering aimlessly down the hallway, somewhere between her subconscious and the present; between saving her friends and piecing together the puzzle, particularly the part of her rising from the tile floor. She sure didn’t remember laying down, though she did distinctly recall Cloud’s voice talking to her, apologizing. In fact, she could hear it now, beckoning her...

“Dash, stop. Stop!” Cloud called, grabbing hold of the prismatic mares’ tail. “Snap out of it! Soarin’, Spitfire! Give me a hoof here!”

Despite the three trying their best, they found themselves dragged along, victims of Rainbow’s exaggerated strength. Cloud fell backwards as her grip suddenly vacated, her flank smacking the tiling with a echoing “pop”. She could hear the blunt scrape of hooves as both Wonderbolts tried to halt the zombified pegasus. It was painfully obvious to Cloud, (hell, everypony else,) that brute force was a failing tactic in this instance. Something had to be done before Dash-

“Aha!” Cloud exclaimed as her eyes came into contact with a flower vase. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” Cradling the ceramic piece in her forelegs, she gave her wings several powerful flaps, propelling herself over the struggling duo and landed directly in Rainbow’s path.

“Time to wake up, Dash.”

Cloud gripped the neck and base of the vase and heaved it forward like a bucket, emptying its contents upon the zoned-out mare. The effect was instantaneous as Rainbow shook her head, coughing and sputtering.

“What the buck, Cloud,” Dash stuttered, desperately trying to wipe the wet fauna off her person. “What’s going on here?” She took note of Spitfire and Soarin’ still grasping the leading edge of her wings. “And why are you two holding me? Explanations. Now.”

“I’m sorry I tackled you, Dash, but I couldn’t let you go through with your plan.”

Dash narrowed her eyes, furrowing her brow in frustration. “You tackled me?” Well that would explain why I was on the floor in the dream... Wait! That vision! Was what she saw true? Or was she hallucinating from Cloud’s abrupt assault? “And what good did that accomplish other than delay me from an attempt to destroy the storm cells?”

“With all due respect,” Spitfire interjected, releasing her hold on Dash’s wings, “you’re in no condition to be out there. That blow you took rattled you pretty good. I mean you were zoned out, for Celestia’s sake, screaming and going on about your friends.”

The vision of her friends and the destruction of the Elements flooded her subconscious once more. “My friends...” Dash whispered incoherently, moving forward once more, only to have Cloud block her path once more. “Cloud... Move...”

“No!” Cloud shouted, lunging forward and enveloping Dash in a tight bear hug, “I lost my husband and almost my daughter because of this stupid weather,” Cloud wept softly, dampening the fur upon the prismatic pegasus’ neck. “I can’t lose you, too.”

Rainbow pulled her mentor a little closer, trying to comfort her. Cloud had been through a lot over the years, but she didn’t seem to understand the gravity of the situation Dash found herself in. The longer she was kept at bay, the less the chance of rescue for her friends. It would be the same as Cloud watching Red fall to his death all over again, living the rest of her life not knowing if any attempt on her part would have changed the outcome at all. Reluctancy, Rainbow pulled her former teacher away, wiping her tears as she did so.

“Listen - Cloud - I understand your concern for me, but I have to do this. My friends lives are at stake here.”

Spitfire made her presence known at this time, visually scoffing at Rainbow’s idea. “Be realistic for a moment, Dash. Both Soarin’ and myself had to circumnavigate the storm cell because we were ill equipped to handle it, and that’s with full weather gear. Even with the combined effort of both weather teams, very little was accomplished.”

Both mares gave her an icy stare that would’ve frozen a Windigo in mid flight. Spitfire waved her hooves defensively in response. “I’m not saying a bad job was done; everypony gave it their all, but it just wasn’t enough. Now you want to head back out, alone, and attempt to halt its progress on your own? Dash that’s suicide!”

“She right,” Soarin’ chimed in, adding his verbal fuel to the growing fire amongst the group. “You go up in that storm cell and the upper wind shears will rip you to shreds. And even if you somehow make it past all the atmospherical obstacles, you’d never be able to pull out of danger in time.”

“You’re wasting my time, Soarin’...”

Oh for the love of Celestia... “Look,” Soarin’ retorted, finally losing his patience, “we have the speed records when you pulled of the ‘Sonic Rainboom’ at the Best Young Flyers Competition last year; nine hundred miles-per-hour, if I remember correctly.”

“Soarin,” Dash began gently, “either get to the point or I’m going to hold you responsible for the deaths of my friends. Get. To. The. Fucking. Point!”

To say he, as well as the remaining hospital staff, were taken aback by the sudden vulgarity, was an understatement; the floor, ceiling, and walls caving slightly inwards as everypony gasped in unison. Reining in his shock, Soarin’ quickly continued.

“Look, the point is, both field of view and storm cell height have one thing in common: their both extremely low. At the speed you’d be traveling... You’d never be able to see the danger until it was too late. All the healing in the world would be useless ‘cause we’d never find all the pieces! Is that what you want, to lose everything on the count of a-a dream?”

Dash reared up on her hind legs and whirled around, towering over stallion. “If you think joining the ‘precious Wonderbolts’ is more important that my friends’ safety,” Dash spat out, jabbing her hoof at his muzzle, “then buddy, you’ve got a serious revelation coming.” She quickly dropped back onto all fours, whipping around and swatting Soarin’ across the cheek to send home her point. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some work to do.”

“Where are they?” Cloud asked as Dash began marching past her towards the exit. “Do you even know where to look?”

Rainbow almost tripped over her hooves when that question found its way to her ears. In all her rush it was the one minor detail she overlooked. She growled, cursing herself inwardly, knowing all that was truly happening was the chances of rescue for her friends was quickly diminishing. She could feel the despair welling up inside her. A somewhat comforting hoof fell upon her, her eyes falling upon Cloud once again.

“I don’t know what to do,” Dash replied sadly.

“Sure you do,” Cloud enthusiastically responded. “It was in your dream, wasn’t it?”

“You don’t understand. I ‘saw’ them, but I don’t know their location. I could search for hours and not find any trace of them.”

Cloud placed her other hoof on Dashs’ shoulder, shaking her gently. “C’mon, Dash. Think. I heard you mumble something about a building. Try and remember any detail, big or small. Somepony might know something.”

Rainbow squeezed her eyes tightly, trying to focus on anything about the dream, sans the shattering Elements. Problems were complicated enough as is.

Pushing past her fears and anxiety, Dash came upon remnants of the first part of her vision. “I see Twilight and A.J. ...rising flood waters... I see them upon the roof of an old, wooden two story structure... There are iron bars - no, wait - looks like part of train rail visible wrapped around a tree...”

“That sounds like the old quartz mining facility,” one of the hospital staff uttered somewhere behind them. “My uncle use to work for them until the mining conditions became too unstable.”

“That place is miles from here,” Spitfire commented with an echo of hopelessness in her voice. “Even in perfect conditions the journey is arduous at best. Still, if you’re determined to go...”

“I am,” Rainbow spoke confidently, her vigor renewed. “We’ve stuck by each other through thick and thin. I’m not about to abandon them now.”

“You won’t,” Cloud agreed, stretching her wings, “and neither will I.”

“Now wait just one second...”

“Look,” Cloud began, standing her ground, “for the last 15 years I’ve lived wondering how things would’ve turn out had I been able to save Red. I kept my daughter’s identity a secret from everypony, especially the one I consider one of my closest friends. I went so far as to blame you for her injuries.”

“We’ve gone over that. It’s all okay now, really.”

“Let me do this one thing, Dash. Let me redeem myself, not just for you, but for my daughter; for Red. Besides, I do out-rank you, y’know.”

“Oh?” Dash playfully mused. “You’re really not going to pull rank, are you?”

“Maybe...,” Cloud responded with a hammy wiggle of her eyebrows.

“Deal. Just make sure you can keep up.”

Several minutes later, two pair of Pegusi placed themselves just outside the hospital’s entrance, the latter of the two going over last second procedures; passing out specialized flight goggles.

“Whoa, these things are light,” Rainbow commented as she adjusted the straps a little snugger. “So awesome!”

“Like em? Celestia had some of her best scientists enchant a pair for Soarin’ and myself. They’ll shield the wearer with a thin layer of magic that prevents moisture buildup on the wings as well as the lenses. You and Cloud could put ‘em to better use, given the circumstances.”

“Will it enhance our vision?” Cloud asked, adjusting her pair as well. Spitfire shook her head.

“Unfortunately, no, as they are experimental at this time. However, the dev team is working on that as we speak. The ultimate goal is to ensure every flight and weather team has access to the latest gear, therefore reducing the risks for unsuccessful rescues.”

“That’s all good and stuff, but we really need to hurry,” Rainbow uttered, trotting anxiously in place, “cause the longer we wait...”

“I’m with you, Dash,” Cloud nodded in affirmation, siding along side her partner, “but there is just one thing... I was wondering if you two could-“

”Look after Cloudkicker?” Spitfire finished. “No problem. Just make sure you come back to her, okay?” Cloud gave a soft grunt in return.

As the two mares prepared to spring forward, Soarin’ stopped them. “There is just one more thing: you two will be flying thru the Windshear Cliffs. Those goggles may give you a slight edge, but you’re not invincible. One wrong move...a sudden cross wind... Just take care, alright?”

“Don’t you worry, Soarin’,” Rainbow beamed proudly, “I am ta’ bring my friends and Cloud back safe. You’ve got my word.” She smiled at Cloud. “Let’s do this.”

With an almost ground shaking shove, the pair blasted into the dank sky, leaving a trail of color before arcing back and disappearing over the roof. Spitfire and Soarin’ watched until their trails vanished from sight.

“She’s a stubborn one, that Dash,” Spitfire commented. Soarin’ gave a light chuckle in response.

“Reminds me of a certain squad leader in her younger years.”

“Mmmm.”

The tow shared a moment of silence, listening to the patter of rain, the soft sounds of rolling thunder. The storm had somewhat cleared out, thanks to both the weather teams’ efforts and the strong upper winds, yet both felt guilt. Here they were, two of the best of the best, unable to make a dent in the storm’s fury; nor in Rainbow’s or Cloud’s decision to fight it head on. Still if Rainbow could pull of what she’d suggested... The sound of her partners’ voice brought her back to reality.

“Hey, ‘Fire?” She held her gaze skyward.

“Hmm?”

“D’ya think she’ll make be a Wonderbolt some day?”

“No... I know she will.”

No more. The two could go no more, having reached the very peak. It was a decidedly unsafe venture, but it truly was the only option left. As one wobbled unsteadily, another gave a comforting hold.

“Easy Twilight,” Applejack spoking, wrapping a foreleg around friend to keep her steady, “Ah gotcha.” The sudden movement made the farm pony’s vision blur, causing the compassionate foreleg to be replaced into its previous location. Applejack squeezed her lids closed, trying to bring the nausea level down to tolerable.

“Are you okay Applejack? You seem a little...off.”

Ah’m...alright, Sugarcube,” she responded, opening her eyes slowly, keeping both her head and green orbs planted on the faded shingles. The last thing she wanted was to black out and tumble off their last bit of sanctuary knowing Twilight was in no shape for a rescue attempt. There was a faint blue pulse in her vision as she gently reached up and touched her bandaged wound, wincing at the contact. “Feel like Ah tried to use ma head for apple buckin’, though.”

“You hit that wall downstairs pretty hard,” Twilight answered, noticing the rain-soaked bandaging had become pink tinted, “so it’s more than likely a concussion.” Inwardly she cursed herself, wishing nothing more than a little healing magic as opposed to the quick patch work she’d been forced to use.

“Ah suppose that makes sense,” Applejack returned, slowly raising her head, “though Ah’d never thought it’d make me see flashing light. Must’ve hit that wall a ton.” Applejack glanced over at her friend only to have her jaw drop slightly.

Twilight scuffed at the roof nervously, avoiding direct eye contact . “Uh, that’s not why you’re seeing ‘light’, A.J. It’s me...,” she pointed the pulsating alicorn spire jutting between her forelock, “er, my horn, rather.”

The thought of her friend trying to summon magic in order to save them both was simultaneously brave and heart wrenching. Brave for the ‘never give up until the end’ attitude she was exuding; heart wrenching in knowing that attempting such a feat in Twilight’s weakened state could - and probably would - lead to irreversible damage to her magic and herself. “Twi, Ah ‘preciate your efforts ‘n such, but you’re really in no condition to be doin’ any fancy shmancy spell cast’n.”

The words Applejack had spoken didn’t click with in her brain at first. “Oh? Oh!” There go those pesky brain gears. “Oh this?” Twilight questioned, pointing to her horn once more. “This isn’t magic, really. All ponies are born with an innate sense to communicate distress signals. For instance, Pegusi vibrate the tips of their feathers to emit a hum, calling for assistance, if you will. Unicorns initially do the same, albeit, in a more visual sense. I can’t remember the number of times as a filly it would come into play, especially getting lost in the Royal Gardens. Of course, I don’t have to tell you about Earth ponies...”

“Darn toot’n ya don’t,” Applejack quipped, reaffirming the unicorn’s previous statement. Earth ponies weren’t naturally aggressive, but when backed into a corner, they’d release a furry of blows likened to a stampede; only it was the receiver that took the punishment, not the ground. In fact, the more ponies, the more the damage. “Ya mess with the bull ‘n you’ll get the horns.”

The rickety building pitched suddenly, causing the leading edge of the roof to shear off, floating briefly before being sucked down below the churning torrent. Thankfully neither of the mares tumbled in with it, but the instability of the building combined with the relentless downpour was not helping the situation. It surely wouldn’t be much longer until their little piece of sanctuary sunk beneath the waves, taking them along with it. Applejack had refrained form asking her friend, but now seemed as good as ever to do so.

“Do you think you can swim, Twi?”

“I’m pretty well spent, Applejack,” Twilight responded sadly. “I don’t think I possess enough strength to climb back up the roof should I slip again.”

From somewhere upstream from them came and ear splitting “crack”, similar to the sound when Spike would crunch on gemstones. Only it wasn’t precious baubles for dragons making the noise but hoof-laid stone giving way. Both mares didn’t waste their strength in turning to look. For they knew what lay in that direction that, in their haste, neglected to take into consideration until it was too late. Reenforced or not, Windshear Waterworks had let go. Even as submerged as the old building was, both could feel the boulders shake the support beams as the impacted the ground far away. Reaching over, Applejack to Twilight’s hoof into her own.

“Twilight, do you trust me?”

“Of course I do,” Twilight answered, surprised at the question. “You’re my friend. You’d never lie to me.” There was that whole corruption escapade with Discord, but that didn’t count.

“When Ah give the signal, Ah want ya to jump.”

Twilight just gawked at her, thinking water had built up in her ears causing her to hear wrong. “What, are you cah-razy?! That’s insane! I told you I can’t swim and now you want me to-“

”No Ah ain’t,” the farm pony countered, squeezing her friends in reassurance. She had a plan, but for it to work, she needed Twilight’s cooperation. “If’n ya trust me, do as Ah ask, Sugarcube, cause Ah ain’t about to sit here ‘n do nothin’.” C’mon, Twi’, please. We’re runnin’ outta time.

“Alright, Applejack. I’ll do what you say.”

Thank Celestia, girl. “Ok, here’s mah plan: when the surge of water hits, we’ll jump and ride the wave until it thins out. Then Ah’ll swim tha both uh us to safety. You just hold on ta me ‘n everything will be fine.”

Applejack knew her suggestion was down right foolish for nopony had ever managed what she’d suggested and escaped, not in one piece anyways. A decision made from fear and desperation was doomed from the beginning. And if was aware of all this it was only natural to realize Twilight knew it as well. From up the flooded channel, beyond the whipping winds and torrential downpour, they heard it: the rumble of escaped water stampeding down stream, crushing the fallen trees and boulders into a churning wall of gravel and paste. It wasn’t much longer now. She looked down and over in surprise as she felt Twilight’s grip firm around her hoof.

“Applejack, I just wanted to tell you that, if this is truly where our end is to be, I’ve been honored to be your friend.”

“Likewise, Twi’.”

The water level began increasing at a rapid rate, fueled by the incoming barrage. She could feel the rumbling through the support beams, feel it in her bones. How both mares kept their composure while small chunks of stone were pelted against their backs akin to the rubbing of sand paper. The roar was deafening; timber wolves howling in their ears, only Applejack’s shout was tonally louder.

“JUMP!”

Eyes forced shut, both mares were blown forward by the impact not seconds after their hooves left the shingled sanctuary. Applejack could feel her shoulders strain, the force threatening to pull them from their sockets. Despite all the chaos surrounding her, she felt at peace, no fear at all. Stranger still, there was no frigid, graveled-up water, no muck trying to drag them down. In fact, she felt like she was floating, whisked away to safety by some unseen force.

“Are you going to be a scaredy-filly this whole trip, or are ya gonna at least thank me?”

“Dash!,” she exclaimed, glancing back over her shoulder to see that smug smile, “am happier ‘n a pig ‘n slop to see ya!”

“You didn’t think I’d leave my friends hangin’ did ya?”

“Oh horse apples!” Applejack exclaimed, her eyes wide, “Twilight! Quick Dash, you’ve gotta go back to-“

”Relax, A.J. Cloud’s got her...”

Looking to her left, Applejack sighed in relief as another pegusai gripped Twilight safely. And, even though she’d lost consciousness, she kept a firm hold upon Applejack’s hoof. Hang in their, Twi. We’ll all be safe soon. Judging by the familiar settings appearing below her, a whole lot sooner.

“...though you might want to let her hoof go. We’ll get movin’ faster that way.” Rainbow then gave a sheepish grin aimed squarely at the back of A.J.’s mane. “Unless there’s something you want to tell me...”

“RAINBOW DASH!” A.J. shouted, her cheeks turning scarlet at the very indication, her hoof quickly disengaging from Twilight’s. “Ah’ll have you know-“

”Rainbow,” Cloud cut in, “eyes front! We’ve got a straggler in need of assistance.”

Cast her rose iris’ downward, Dash caught glimpse of a purple and green biped trying its best to thru wither deep water; stumpy little legs moving with undeniable tenacity and fury.

“Spike?” a much surprised Applejack mused. “What in tarnation is he doin’ out here?”

“Think you’ve got enough strength to get one more passenger, A.J.?”

“Are you kidding, Sugarcube? I’d much rather be sore for a few days then have Rarity skin me alive for leave’n him behind.”

“Just be careful down there,” Cloud warned. “Hit at the wrong angle and it’ll be like slamming a brick wall.”

“Hey, I didn’t come all this way just to fail now, right? Hang on A.J. We’re goin’ in.”

Applejack let out a ‘whoop’ as the pair dove towards the struggling drake, scooping him up quickly. He let out a yelp ins surprise, dropping the lantern and nearly his bag of gems, unsure at first what was going on.

“Look’s like ya’ missed the yer train, Spike.”

“Rainbow! Applejack!” Spike exclaimed, gripping her fore hooves in both joy and relief. “Boy are you two a sight for sore eyes!” He paused, momentarily working his jaw. “Is Twilight ok?” Panic began to seep through his system. “She didn’t...” He couldn’t even utter the words.

“Nah,” Rainbow Dash called, quickly settling his nerves before he became too erratic. With everything that was going on, the last thing anypony needed was a panicking dragon throwing off her flight pattern. “She’s in safe hooves with Cloud.”

Looking left, Spike saw his sister, unconscious, dangling unresponsively in the other mare’s care. “Is she okay? She isn’t moving...”

“She’s fine, son,” Cloud called over, reassuring him with a smile. “She’s just exhausted. The real question is ‘what are you doing out here?’.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow agreed, “you’re supposed to be on the last train to Canterlot with everypony else, not in the middle of this storm drowning.”

“I was on the train, but Steam Piston made the decision to leave sooner that we were supposed to,” Spike uttered defensively, “something about the too much weight for the ground to support. Twilight and Applejack weren’t back yet, so I went looking for them. Besides, it was my choice to stay behind. Nopony forced me.”

“Look, can we have this discussion later?” Rainbow uttered in annoyance. “We need to get Twilight some medical attention. How long ago did it leave?”

“I’m not too sure. An hour, maybe more.” Spike growled in frustration. “It doesn’t matter anyway. There’s only way in or out is in the rear of the last car and it’s magically sealed. There’s no way to open in now.”

“We’ll figure it out when we get there. C’mon, let’s hoof it!”

Bolstered by the newfound strength of her friends safety, Rainbow led the group forward, knowing soon the nightmare would be over.

“There! Up ahead!” Cloud yelled enthusiastically, “I see it!”

Thru the murkiness and gloom the last car appeared as it lurched and slipped along the soaked tracks. The weather had thinned and lessened in intensity as they moved further away from Ponyville, giving the two fliers some much needed recovery, although the downpour was still stinging their bodies as it fell from the sky. Dash gave a pained sigh in relief.

“Thank Celestia. If we’d stayed out here much longer I’d have mildew in my primaries, even with these goggles on.” Her little tizzy caused a comical wave to roll amongst the group, save for Twilight and Spike. Applejack gave a concerned gaze upon the little drake.

“Spike, yall bein’ awfully quite there. Is somethin tha matter?” Spike didn’t immediately answer; too caught in his own conflicting thoughts.

“I- I did something horrible Applejack,” he spoke, tone hushed, full of sorrow and grief. “When the conductor told us we had to leave... I- I-“

She gave the him a gentle squeeze; her voice warm and forgiving. “Y’all don’t have ta say anything, Spike. Ah know what happened.”

If rigor mortis was possible while still alive, that would have been Spike’s condition, every fiber of his body locking in place. ‘How’ was the question banging around in his brain. How could she know what happened? He never told anypony what happened in that train car, only those present during the exchange knew. Was it Applejack’s Element; detecting the hidden emotions within his draconian heart? If so, why was the farm pony so gentle, her tone so forgiving? Rarity and A.J. weren’t as close as the others, but they still best friends.

“Ah know ya went back out ‘n the storm ta find us,” she spoke in earnest, giving him a light squeeze, “and, even though it was a might dangerous, it speaks how much ya love us all.”

Spike felt sick to his stomach upon hearing his friend’s words. It meant the truth was yet to come out and, when it did, would they ever look at him in the same again. The outcome played out in his mind over and over, even as the group alighted upon the cars’ roof.

“We need to find a way inside and some proper medical attention,” Cloud spoke, readjusting her grip on the Twilight. “Your friend is suffering from exposure.”

Hearing this caused Spike to snap out of his depressive mental argument. Twilight was in serious danger and that was all the motivation he needed. “Nurse Redheart is on board in one of the other cars. If we can find an alternate way in - a window or something - she’ll be able to fix Twilight up in no time.”

Without warning, a pink bundle of energy bounded into both Rainbow and Applejack, encompassing them both with a bone crushing hug.

Applejack! Dashie!” Pinkie exclaimed, “I’m super excited your both ok. At first I was all sad and down and frowny cause I though Twilight broke he ‘Pinkie Promise’. Then my ‘Pinkie Sense’ told me - ear twitch, nose crinkle, left eye flutter, mane poof - that Rainbow Dash and a friend had rescued Applejack, Twilight and Spike; which is good cause Rarity is all saddy-waddy. Ooh, ooh, and after everything is okie-dokie-lokie, we can have a ‘My friends are safe so now we party’ party.” She rubbed her chin with her hoof, deep in thought for a moment, “I wonder what kind of cake I should-“

”Whoa, slow down there, Sugarcube,” A.J. interrepted the party pony’s long winded rant.

“Yeah,” Rainbow nodded, “how’d you get out here in the first place?”

“Pfft, escape hatch, silly. Every train is required to have them installed in the left corner of each car. It even says so on Page 34- paragraph 10 - subsection A - sentences 35 through 40 of your rescue manual Dashie.”

“Oh for the love of...will you just go and find Nurse Redheart?”

“Okie-dokie-lokie!” she quipped, bounding over and down the roof hatch, much to the chagrin of the group.

Despite Pinkie’s sudden appearance and subsequent knowledge of Cloudsdale’s rescue manual, (seriously, how does she do that?), the real situation was how to get the unconscious unicorn down the hatch without causing serious physical injury. Using her quick wit, Applejack suggested using her lasso as a make shift harness.

“Ah’ll go down first, then you two’ll lower Twi’ to me. Simple as apple buckin’. Spike, why don’t ya’ll go on down ‘n help Redheart keep a lease on Pinkie.”

Spike hesitated for a moment, not wanting to face the accusations upon his arrival, yet knowing that prolonging it would be unbearable in the long term. “Okay Applejack,” he responded in an almost dejected tone, “just give me a sec, there’s something I need to give you.” A quick rummaging in his cloth carrier and he produced-

“Mah Stetson!” exclaimed Applejack, hugging the young drake enthusiastically, “where’d ya find it? You know what? Let’s wait until later. Now git down there.” Spike nodded weakly and disappeared from view, joined quickly by Applejack, who called her position out as the two Pegusi slowly lowered Twilight to safety. Cloud pointed a hoof towards the awaiting hatch.

“You’d better get down there with you friends,” she said. “Sounds like quite a ruckus brewing inside.”

“What about you?” questioned Dash. “You’re not gonna fly off and leave us yet, are you?”

“As much as I’d love to assist you, I really need to get back to ‘Kicker. No telling how much longer I can leave Spitfire and Soarin’ at her mercy.”

The two mares shared a quiet laugh amidst the chaos; quite a relief in spite of everything. Silence settled between them briefly before Dash broke it.

“Hey, um, listen...”

“You don’t have to say anything Dash. I’m just glad you’re my friend as well as my top student. If anything, I’m glad you knocked some sense into me, too bad it was all these years later.”

The two embraced, sharing the warmth of friendship that bound the two even closer. It wasn’t an everyday occasion that the student teaches the teacher.

“Tell your daughter that I’ll drop by as soon as I can,” Rainbow said as the two separated. “Once she’s better, I’ll even help her advanced flight tactics, if that’s okay.”

“I will,” Cloud nodded, “and don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll have to strap her to the bed to keep her grounded until she’s fully healed.” She unfurled her wings once more, shaking the precipitation that had collected from them, “meantime, you take care of yourself, you hear?”

“You as well. We may have done some cloud related damage to the storm on our way thru, but I doubt it’s done with Equestria yet.”

Cloud simply smiled and launched into the grey sky, arcing our and around, before disappearing from sight. Dash sighed to herself, realizing now how truly exhausted she really was; the feeling hitting like lead weights. Cloud would be fine, she knew that. The way she arced her flight path meant a wide berth around the remaining violent cells heavily peppered across the land. Slowly, she drug herself painfully towards the slightly ajar hatch, becoming increasingly aware of level of volume that was unneeded for close quarters discussion. Raising the lid and peering down... It was quite a sight to behold.

Rarity and Spike were in the midst of a heated argument; tears and language abounding. Applejack was trying to pry the two apart while simultaneously attempting to keep Pinkie from “assisting” Nurse Redheart with Twilight. Fluttershy, true to her demeanor, huddled in the far corner, whimpering. This wasn’t the kind of reception she’d expected of her friends.

Everypony had been thru a huge trial today, pushing everything, and everyone, to their limits. They would recover, that much was true, but deep down, Rainbow wondered if any of them would truly be the same again.

Into the Knight

The mercantile district of Canterlot: quiet, serene, and in a minor state of disrepair. All along the marble store fronts, short, claw-like gouges were etched into their pillars and custom hoof-painted displays. Along the cobblestone street resided several large depressions, each sporadically placed at or near the gouges, suggesting that this was no mere act of vandalism but somepony, or rather something, had crashed, desperately trying to halt its/their progress. Whatever it was, it seemed to be long gone now, leaving only a minor trail of destructions in its path. Yet something was still amiss for nestled with in the last, and largest, crater, a rather strange tree was growing up from the center; A thick black trunk jutting up and over with five leafless branches splayed out haphazardly, its bark shimmering like polished onyx under Luna’s moon.

Suddenly, one of the branches... twitched, emitting a quiet, mechanical groan. There rest quickly followed suit, one after another, until the whole trunk shifted under the weight of gravity, impacting the rim of the crater with a muffled crunch. Somewhere within the crater something hummed, emitting small electrical sparks. Apparently, the visitor was far from ‘long gone’.

In fact, it was just rousing from its landing.

While the world may have gone quiet for a certain lavender unicorn, it was full of confusion and panic for not only her friends but everypony else in the immediate vicinity. Ponies ran in all directions, their mouths wide with silent screams, scattering personal items every which way while the Royal Guards tried desperately to calm the situation before it roiled over any further. A sudden, rousing shake brought her back to the audible present accompanied by a familiar, southern accent.

“C’mon, Twi! Snap out of it!”

“Is everypony alright?” she asked, rising to her hooves. “I wanted to help, but with my magic still not up to snuff...”

“Later, Sugarcube. You’re needed with Spike and Rarity; rest o’ us gonna try n’ round up th’ ‘scardy ponies’.” Applejack disappeared within the wall of bodies, leaving Twilight alone to digest all the information.

Spike and Rarity? Surely those two hadn’t been argumentative this whole time. Groaning to herself once more, Twilight wove her way thru the wall of bodies, doing her best to avoid being trampled while simultaneously consoling ponies.

“Spike! Please, get up!”

Twilight knew that voice, knew its tonal ranges, over dramatic exposes. The way those four words entered into her ear canals sent chills up her spine. Sisterly instinct took over as she pushed and shoved her way thru the walls of flesh, desperately trying to reach the outcropping that both Spike and Rarity were occupying. This wasn’t Rarity ‘being overly dramatic’, she was terrified to a degree beyond measure. After what seemed an eternity, Twilight broke forth from the confusion, sliding to a stop next to her target. What she saw made ice form in her stomach.

Rarity sat stoically still with Spike cradled in her forelegs, eyes glistening wet. He was motionless like a rag doll, save for the shallow rise and fall of his chest; a trickle of blood ran down from the left side of his head from a rather nasty looking goose egg-sized bump. She wanted desperately to rip him from her grip, but without knowing his condition, doing so more than likely would cause more damage.

“He won’t wake up.” Rarity managed, her voice quaking and dry. “I’ve tried to rouse him, but he- he-.” The fashionata shivered, breaking her stalwart stance, turning her head to face her friend. Within the alabaster mare’s eyes Twilight saw something she’d never imagined. Hopelessness.

Twilight quickly cast her attention upon Spike, doing a quick once over on his wound. It looked much worse than it actually was; nothing a little antiseptic and bandaging wouldn’t fix. Tilting his head up with her hooves, she levitated the leftover first aid items from her saddlebag, gingerly applying them to her assistant’s head. She’d contemplated asking Rarity for assistance, but thought better of it. Not to be mean, but Rarity was in no shape to do much of anything at this point. Spike scrunched his facial features and groaned as Twilight applied pressure to the wound, resulting in a surprised gasp from Rarity.

“What happened?” Twilight asked as she began wrapping the dressing around his head. Her friend just stared as she worked on her assistant, eyes never leaving his face. “Rarity!”

“Huh? ...Oh, yes, darling?”

“How did this happen? And let’s skip the part about the fight,” Twilight added for good measure, “seeing as how Redheart told me about it already.”

“...I see...” She cleared her throat, her gaze never leaving the semi-conscious drake in her hooves. “Well, after our ‘disagreement’ earlier, I thought it better if I watched Luna’s gift on my own; do some thinking, as it were. Spike decided to join me not long after, perhaps to keep me company, though I’m not really sure as he seemed in the same frame of mind as myself. It’s all a bit vague after that, I’m afraid. I recall a ball of light and hitting the ground rather harshly before finding Spike like this.”

Taking this bit of information Twilight briefly scanned her immediate surroundings. It wasn’t long before her eyes fell upon a crimson-stained stone nestled secretly amongst the blades of grass.

“He was trying to save your life, Rarity. Just as he came back to save mine.”

“I don’t understand...”

“Don’t you see? He saw... what ever it was... and pushed you out of the way, banging his head against this rock in doing so. He cares for your safety just as he cares for mine.”

Rarity said nothing, eyes still focused on the drake in her hooves. Not just any drake, but a gentle drake. Her gentle drake that would give his life for his friends and for her.

No, no. They were of two different species. It could never work. So why wasn’t her heart listening to what her mind was telling her. Her self searching was short lived as a familiar tomboyish voice called from overhead, informing them to meet with the Princess’s immediately.

“Rarity,” Twilight uttered quietly as she levitated her assistant from her friends grip, “I know it has been trying for all of us, but the way I saw you earlier as you held him... loss and hopelessness...” She placed him gently upon her back, “I never want to see that again.”

Thermal lock down bypass initiated. System diagnostics and damage report running.

The sound of cobblestone being crushed echoed softly as Knightstride dug his fingers into the ground in attempt to haul himself upon much more level terra firma. The data streamed though his subconscious, but it hardly mattered at this point, seeing as how things had gone from bad to catastrophic in mere nanoseconds.

It wasn’t his fault really. None of this should have happened. All he had to do was land safely for repairs. Instead, he lost all stability once he entered this planet’s atmosphere. In a panic, he tried to reverse decent, to climb back into the vacuum of space, but it was too late.

Then in a flash it happened, the very situation he wanted to avoid at all costs:

Indigenous life-forms detected. ABORT!! ABORT!!

And not just one, hundreds of them; all huddled together in the very spot he was to land. They would all be slaughtered at the rate of his decent; damned if he was going to allow that to occur, regardless of who or what there were.

‘No, you fool! I know what you’re thinking! It’s suicide! You’ll never make it!’

His subconscious screaming at him all the while, Knightstride felt the pistons and gears shifting as he over-rid the safety bypass to transform into his root mode. The pain was instantaneous: white hot flames dipped in boiling acid shooting thru his veins. Multiplied a hundred fold.

He hit the ground hard, flailing his arms, desperately gouging at anything to slow his less that stellar landing. His body bounced once, twice, three times; the last one knocking him temporarily offline, his last thought was being grateful no life had been lost.

Groaning, he swivelled his right arm up and over the crater, trying to get more leverage. After all, someone was going to be less than pleased at the damage his fall had caused; the sooner he was up and away, the better.

Extracting himself, he made an attempt to stand, only to come crashing down with a rumbling ‘thud’. Apparently the damage to his flight stabilizers had affected his equilibrium as well. It would sort itself out soon enough, but still... Problems were arising faster than could be fixed. And he still didn’t know where he was or how to get back on track.

“Okay, calm you circuits,” Knightstride spoke quietly to himself, “just remember the basics: first, check your surroundings... Wow...”

Though his vision and audio were still a bit rattled, the sight laid out before his optics made his jaw drop. This wasn’t some backwater planet he’d happened upon, nor had he caused minimal damage to some off-beat outpost. This was a major metropolitan area, akin to that of Iacon or maybe Kaon, though he was leaning more towards the former as the latter contained blood-thirsty decepticons who wouldn’t think twice about putting several holes in ones chassis. Judging by the layout of his current surroundings this must be where merchants and travelers did their business as they traveled to and fro from... wherever.

Once more he rose to his feet, stumbling a bit, but remaining in his vertical position. Despite the life reading he’d picked up during his decent, they’d remained in the same central location as before, only a half dozen or so making any attempt of movement outside the main group. Surely the people of this planet had figured out by now that his arrival was more of a shooting star gone awry (though it would explain why they were all gathered together in one spot).

Movement; three life signals heading towards his current location.

It seemed that someone had deemed it necessary to investigate after all. As much as he’d love to meet the inhabitants of this planet, he felt it wise to wait until circumstances bettered themselves. Quickly and quietly he moved away from his landing spot, taking refuge behind the tallest possible structure. Hopefully, these three would investigate rapidly and leave, permitting him the chance to escape into the night undetected. With his audio receptors still ringing from the impact and most of the optic enhancing options still unavailable, Knighstride used what was at his disposal. Bringing his middle and index finger to the side of his head, he activated his thermal scanners; the world changing into hues varying upon heat expenditures.

Garbled voices and the sounds of hoof-falls upon cobblestone.

He slunk back further, becoming one with the stone and plaster, and peered around its edge. Now he was about to see the locals, whether they were ready or not.

(Then)

Fluttershy didn’t like confrontations. Ever. Specifically when her friends were involved, even less when it came to the princess’. Granted she’d had a minor confrontation on the train with Rarity, but that was more of an intervention than anything else. What had transpired between the princesses was another thing entirely... which is why the timid pegasus had remained hidden behind Applejack the entire time. Things seemed to be calming down now, but she kept her current position, not quite ready for another round of Luna’s ‘Royal Canterlot Voice’.

“Relax, Luna, for I am not accusing nor judging you of anything,” Celestia spoke, doing her best to ease the tension down even further. Luna coiled her head forward, lowering her gaze.

“Forgive me Sister,” the ebony alicorn nearly whispered in silence, ashamed at her outburst. “After everything that you, Twilight and her friends did to help me fit back in... to even suggest that I would purposefully injure one of Our ponies...” Luna shuddered at the thought.

“Oh nonononono!” Pinkie exclaimed, shaking her head rapidly. “You’re a good princess, not like that meanie mc-mean pants Nightmare Moon... and good ponies don’t do bad things to other good ponies.”

Luna shifted uncomfortably at the mention of her previous namesake; memories of jealously and rage tugging at the corners of her mind. She didn’t mind being called that during the Nightmare Night celebration for it was all in good fun for the children and, to be honest, she rather enjoyed herself once the townsfolk got over their immediate fear of her. “I tried my best to correct the stars’ behavior, but it wouldn’t obey.”

“I think what Pinkie is trying to say is that you aren’t responsible for this... sudden turn of events,” Twilight reassured her. “In fact, I don’t think it was a star at all.”

“Beggin your pardon, Twilight, but could y’all explain yerself a might clearer.”

With a soft lavender flare from her horn tip, fives chairs materialized behind her friends, scooping them up and bringing them closer to her place by the Princess’. Another flare produced a two dimensional grid formed before the group as Twilight brought a hoof to her lips, clearing her throat. *ahem* “As you know, Princess Celestia raises and lowers the sun for us,” an image of Celestia appeared upon the grid, “and Princess Luna does the same for our moon.” The similar formed for Luna opposite the grid. “Thus providing us with a harmonious balance of-“ she cut off abruptly, noticing the stares of confusion, bewilderment, dead panning, Pinkie eating popcorn, oblivious, Rarity seemingly in another world. Twilight cleared her throat once more, slightly peeved that only the Princesses were listening to her presentation. Rainbow, as always, was the first to speak up, albeit in her normal, polite self.

“Come on Twilight, enough with the egg-head stuff. We’ve all had a rough day and would really like some closure here.”

“Perhaps I may be of some assistance, Twilight.” Celestia spoke softly, a soft yellow aura emitting from her horn; small stars appearing upon her students’ grid. “You see, Luna controls not only the moon but the bodies of the stars as well, making her just, if not more, important than myself in keeping the balance of harmony. Though I was able to do much in Luna’s... absence... her ability is second to know in controlling the heavens.”

The images upon the grid began moving as Luna flared her horn causing the stars to streak across the grid. Twilight cleared her throat once more. “As you can see, Luna can easily control something as simple as a shooting star show, which leads me to the most important fact of all,” Instantly the magically produced grid vanished with a soft ‘pwip’. “Whatever it was that landed here wasn’t a star, but something from beyond.”

“SPACE PONY!” Pinkie exclaimed with a gasp so huge the castle walls actually caved slightly at the massive intake of air. “I knew they existed! Ooh! Ooh! We should totally go and look for it. Make first contact! I’ll just whip out the Party Cannon and-“ Pinkie’s rambling was ceased win a lavender tinted Silence Spell that encompassed both mare and chair, though her random hoof flailing and facial expressions continued mutely. After all Pinkie could be a little... extreme at times.

“Sorry Princess. Pinkie tends to have an over-active imagination. There’s no such thing as space ponies.”

“Be that as it may, Twilight Sparkle, We must implore that an investigation must commence!” Luna commanded in her ‘Canterlot Voice’, “We must know if any danger is posed to Our ponies!”

Luna is right,” Celestia added with a quick nod of her head. “As much as it pains me to ask you, Twilight, I need you to investigate what has happened. The guards are stretched too thin as is. If things turn hostile...”

“Don’t worry, princess,” Twilight reassured confidently. “We’ll handle it.”

Of course they’d handle it, just as the many times when the Princess’ needed them to, but the whole situation was awkward to say the least. She gazed around at her friends still perched upon their seats, considering her options, deciding whom should go. Applejack? No, not with her head injury, as minor as it was. Rarity was definitely a no-go in her emotional state. There was Fluttershy, whose skills with animal communication were second to nopony, though getting her to investigate an alien form of life would be pulling literal hens teeth. That left her with only Rainbow and Pinkie. Twilight groaned inwardly. ‘Brashness and overly hyperactive. This is going to be swell’

(Now)

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight screamed quietly as she could, “could you keep your voice down? We don’t know what’s out here!”

“Pfft, whatever, Egghead,” Dash chided, oblivious to the danger at hoof. “Look at this place. It’s a ghost town.”

“Oooooh! Spoooooky!” Pinkie’s voice quivered as she wiggled her forehooves in the pairs’ faces. “This is super-duper awesome guys! Just like the time in the Everfree Forest!”

“Gah! Would you two just stop?” Twilight bellowed in frustration, her voice ricocheting of the building fronts like a thunderclap. Her eyes immediately went wide as she clasped her hooves to her mouth. Pinkie and Dash just stared at her, mouths agape. Twilight let out a discontented sigh, returning her hooves to their previous position. “Girls, please, we don’t know what is out there, if it’s dangerous, even if it is alive or not. I know we’ve all been thru Tartarus and back, but I need you to focus for me, ok?”

Dash and Pinkie rubbed the back of their necks sheepishly at her request. “Sorry,” they both said in unison, before giving apologetic smiles, to which Twilight quickly accepted. Then, from somewhere in the distance, came a ‘thump’, followed quickly by a crunching sound. The trio reflectively cast their gaze to the poorly lit business district.

“Come on girls,” Twilight spoke with gusto, “let’s do some investigating.”

Being an Element bearer and personal student of the Princess, Twilight and her friends had seen many things; been on many adventures. But, as three pairs of eyes looked on, this was nothing anyone of them had seen before.

“What exactly are we looking at here, Twilight?” asked a curious Rainbow Dash as she hovered just over head while the unicorn gazed intriguingly at Golden Apple’s Suites’ exterior wall decor... and what had caused the deep, amber colored gouges deep within the marble shell.

Twilight wondered that herself. “I’m not sure...” she trailed off, narrowing her gaze as she came as close as possible for the marks still emanated quite of bit of heat. “Other than dragons, no five-digit creature exists in Equestria.”

‘IT’S A SPAAAAAAACE POOOOONY!!!!” Pinkie wailed, managing to tackle Dash from the air, the duo landing in a heap beside Twilight. The aforementioned just groaned, face-hoofing.

“For the last time Pinkie: there are no such things as Space Ponies!” Twilight huffed once more for good measure. “I’m going to get to the bottom of - GAH!!” she exclaimed, tumbling head over plot into one of the impact craters she’d stepped around not moments before, coming to an abrupt stop covered in dirt and fragmented cobblestone.

Groaning in discomfort, Twilight rose to her hooves, looking upwards at the clear, star filled night. Twilight found herself shivering slightly at the cool dampness surrounding her. I didn’t realize it was this deep. Whatever it is must be hurting badly. She jumped slightly at the sound of scree tumbling down upon her only to breathe a sigh of relief moments later at its cause.

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Twilight, are you alright?” came the echoing voice of Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“I tried to warn you but my tail didn’t ‘twitcha-twitch’ fast enough.”

“Just hang on Twilight,” Rainbow Dash called down, “I’ll be down in a jiffy.”

“That won’t be necessary, Dash.” Twilight called back reassuringly; the faint lavender glow of her horn given her a new perspective of the situation. “It may look steep but the conical shape and low gradient... I can make it out on my own, thank you. I’ll be up in a few-“

CLINK!

Twilight froze instantly at the sound softly escaping from beneath her hoof. Keeping the glow active, she channeled extra magic from her flute, telekineticly grasping the object she’d just stepped on and brought it eye-level.

“Girls, I’ve found something.”

Author's Note

Tada! Finally!

Healing and Learning

Canterlot Hospital

Recovery Wing 4

While every hospital has its recovery section, the one in Canterlot was both special and exclusive. Located on the upper stories of the castle itself, it allowed visitors to come and go as they pleased, accessible through a secretive set of passage ways, as well as a guarded set of elaborately carved plated doors. Designed by the Princesses themselves, it was thoughtfully divided into two sections -Solar and Lunar - making it easier for both family and staff to go about their daily routines while keeping in as close contact as possible.

With direct input from Celestia herself, the Solar section was the embodiment of the sun itself; each part designed to give off full warmth and invigoration to the patients. From the gold embossed marble archways carved by the best stone masons to the plush carpeting imported from Neighpon, it was a true sight to behold.

Unfortunately, for the patient in room 7, none of these beautiful and aesthetic touches meant squat.

“For the last time, take these bandages off!” Dash roared, digging fruitlessly at the secure coverings over her eyes. “I can’t see!”

“Please don’t do that,” a rather concerned voice interjected. “You could irritate the eyelids and have to keep the wrapping on for a few more days.”

“Land sakes, Rainbow,” Applejack interrupted. “Could ya’ let the doc do his work? Quit bein’ so stubborn headed.”

“Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I can’t kick your sorry flank around this room, A.J.”

“Girls! That’s enough!” Twilight finally growled, her patience at an end. “All this bickering is solving nothing!” The room visually grimaced at her sudden outburst, none more so than the doctor.

“You’re right, Twi,” Applejack nodded. “Sorry, Dash.” Rainbow just huffed in response.

“Pfft, whatever.”

“Aw, you guys are being meanies,” Pinkie said, giving puppy-dog eyes and pouting. “This isn’t how friends are suppose to act.” Her blue eyes lit up suddenly and she gave a smile that would make normal ponies’ jaws ache. “You know what this calls for?”

“Pinkie, no...”

“A PARTY!! Be-right-back!”

In a pink blur she was gone, the gentle sway of the door the only evidence she’d passed that way. Applejack merely sighed, slowly making her way after their hyperactive friend.

“Ah’ll go get her, Twi’. Probably headed for th’ kitchen, anyhow,” she called out as her flank vanished from view, leaving the doctor alone with a frustrated bookworm, a stubborn-headed patient, and one extremely shy pegasus mare.

In her defense, Fluttershy had remained composed during the bickering, though just barely. In fact, she was highly surprised that nopony in the room could hear her heart as it hammered away in her chest. She hated it when there was bickering between her friends (anypony actually) and given the circumstances surrounding them all, made it ever so much worse for her.

“Fluttershy?”

The sudden calling of her name was similar to Pinkie’s party cannon exploding in her ears. She squeaked in surprise, nearly falling out of her chair.

“Um, yes?” came her timid response, realizing it wasn’t an explosion, simply Twilight calling her name.

“Would you mind checking up on Spike and Rarity? I’ve been so busy I’ve not had the chance to do so myself. I’m sure they’re both fine but I could sure use an update,” Twilight gave a soft titter. “And you look as if you need a little fresh air.” Fluttershy didn’t have to think twice, giving a soft smile in response.

“Sure.”

“Just tell them both I’ll be down to visit as soon as I can, okay?”

“Okay.”

With soft, quiet steps, Fluttershy exited the room, leaving Twilight alone with Dash and her doctor. Twilight turned towards the doctor, her manner very professional and serious. “Well, doctor? What’s the diagnosis?” Inwardly she was thankful all the distractions were gone(she loved her friends dearly, but sometimes they caused grief on an astronomical level.)

“Blue Shield,” he said in a polite, yet matter-o-fact tone, adjusting his spectacles as he did so. “Used to be a Combat Medic for the Royal Guard during the Griffon Border Wars.” He turned away briefly, retrieving Rainbow’s medical charts. “Now that I’ve retired from service I spend my talents helping get ponies back on their hooves.”

“Well, if it’s not too much trouble, how about putting those talents to good use and removing these bandages?”

“Rainbow...”

Shield gave a hearty chuckle. “No, she is quite right. I wouldn’t want to be in her situation, either. Let me go over your charts to double check everything...”

Rainbow simply huffed and crossed her forelegs in frustration as he flipped through her paperwork.

“Yes, everything seems to check out okay... Look’s like a moderate case of flash-blindness; thankfully with no permanent damage or lasting effects.”

Twilight didn’t like the way Shield paused after his last statement; nor the subtle facial quirks that belied something more than what he was willing to divulge. At least, for now. What was he withholding and why? She watched as he turned, placing the chart upon the side table and began adjusting the blinds to divert sunlight from Dash’s position - an effort to keep her friend’s sensitive eyes from any unwanted pain. With his back to her, Twilight sprung into action.

Closing her right eye in concentration, she began tugging at the charts with her magic, only to feel it fizzle at direct contact. A Cancellation Spell! Strong one, too. She scrunched her face in frustration, letting her magic subside. So much for that idea.

“Ah, here we are,” Blue sung out, returning with forceps in hoof. “Now, Rainbow Dash, once I’ve blocked as much sunlight from the room as I could, but expect some pain from the existing light hitting your retinas.”

Gripping the forceps tightly within his fetlock, Shield locked onto the small, silver clasp holding the bandages in place, dislodging it with a soft “clink”. Retrieving it, he placed both it and the forceps back upon the side table and gripped an aquamarine-tinted dropper before gently prying the sterile, white cloth free from its brethren. Rainbow groaned in pain as the dim light penetrated her eyelids.

“I’m going to need you to open your eyes for me. Just for a second.”

“I- it hurts,” she protested, rolling away from the doc.

“I know,” he responded soothingly, readying the vile for application. “It will all be over in just a few seconds; then you can have a lollipop.” Twilight had to manage her best to keep her snicker inaudible.

“Not cool, man. So not cool.”

“C’mon now, open those peepers for me.”

Rainbow complied, straining against the discomfort of the illumination, and against her better judgement not to smack the buck out of Blue Shield for that lollipop comment. She wasn’t some little filly and she had little toleration to being treated as such. ‘Oh, just you wait until I get my hooves on y-‘

Almost instantly the pain vanished, the burning and scratching replaced with soothing comfort (and a slight bout of itchiness).

“There we are,” Shield said, placing the vile back into its resting place. “You should feel much better now. I’ll leave the shades drawn until you feel the need to open them.”

“What was in there?,” Twilight queried, a part of her becoming giddy on learning anything related to science.

“Hm? Oh, it’s nothing really, just synthetic pegusai tears. Not quite as good as the real deal, but the effects are exactly the same.” He focused his attention back to his patient. “Also, don’t rub your eyes until the itchiness goes away completely, understand? It will just hinder the lubrication process.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her,” Twilight nodded, still inwardly frustrated at not being able to see Rainbow’s charts.

“Ah, good,” Shield smiled, tucking the charts away, earning him a scrutinizing look from Twilight. “I’ve a few more patients to check on. If the itching gets worse just buzz the nurse and have her administer another few drops.” He gave a playful, curt bow. “Rainbow, it’s been an honor.” With that, he exited the room, leaving the two mares alone.

“Geez, is that guy full of himself or what?”

“What were you thinking?” Twilight nearly screamed, slamming her hooves down on the bed, causing Dash to jump in surprise. “I told you not to go!”

“Hey! Don’t jump my flank! It wasn’t like you two were gunna do anything!”

Twilight was ready to raise to the ceiling. “Not do anything? NOT DO ANYTHING!?! This isn’t some competition, Rainbow! You’re just lucky flash-blindness isn’t permanent. Thank Luna you weren’t corneal-seared or worse!” Twilight pushed off the mattress top, away from a slack-jawed pegasus and stepped back, collecting her thoughts. “What were you thinking? Were you even thinking at all?”

For the first time in, well, a long time, Rainbow lowered her eyes, unable to look her friend. Twilight was right. It had been foolish of her to go off on her own but, dammit, that how she was. Who she was. Being the Element of Loyalty only brought out the desire - the need - to protect her friends and others from dangers. Maybe Twilight couldn’t see or remember that, maybe she didn’t understand that desire, that drive, to push one’s self to the limit. Oh, who was she fooling by trying to dissect herself anyway? Twilight was right and that’s all that mattered.

Looking up, Rainbow noticed that Twilight had moved to the shade-drawn window, and was now peering through them. Rainbow blinked, adjusting to the new light, watching her friend gaze, emotionless, at whatever was transpiring outside.

“You should’ve stuck to the plan, Dash,” Twilight said softly, bringing her gaze back upon her friend. The look and tone of anger had vanished, replaced with disappointment. “I though something horrible had happened when I saw that flash. There was nothing any of us could’ve done. Do you have any idea how scared I was? What would have I told Princess Celestia about-“

”It had me,” Rainbow spoke, barely above a whisper, her head lowered once more.

“What?” Twilight questioned, her concern snapping back to the forefront.

“IT HAD ME, OK?” Rainbow’s eyes were glistening; forelegs wrapped around her barrel and she was shivering. A primal fear, something she hadn’t felt since that fateful night, came flooding back full force. And she was powerless to fight it. “You were right, ok? I should’ve listened to you, should’ve stayed put, but I- I-“

There was a sudden shifting of the mattress and a pair of lavender hooves wrapped themselves around her, steadying her. “Rainbow... It’s ok.”

“I could feel it, y’know? These claw-like appendages closing in around me. I could hear a alternating pulse of water somewhere below. Then I was just laying on the ground, like nothing had happened. That’s when I heard you calling.”

“It’s okay, really. Everything is fine now.”

Rainbow gave a half-hearted struggle against her friends’ bonds. “No, it’s not ok. I didn’t listen, I didn’t stay put, and what’s worse, I put everyone in danger by making you come after me. ‘It’ could’ve hurt you guys - or worse.”

Twilight let her grip go slack and worker herself along the mattress, coming into her friend’s view. She smiled softly. “Rainbow, believe me when I tell you everything is fine.” She held up a hoof at Dash’s signs of protest. “No pony was hurt, you’re okay, and you managed to chase that thing off.”

“Are you positive it’s gone?” came the expected retort. “I mean, I couldn’t see, so...”

“Yes, I’m sure,” came Twilight’s upbeat and positive response; although part of her questioned if it truly was gone. I mean sure, she saw it rise into the night sky and wink away in the distance - as had the two Royal guards with her, yet she couldn’t completely fight off that nagging nibble in the back of her mind. “Besides, Luna and Celestia have had guards on patrol ‘round the clock. If it did manage to stay behind, they’ll find it.” Twilight beamed her pearly whites at Rainbow, making the latter raise an eyebrow. “In any case, don’t work yourself up about it. The damage is almost repaired and I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to go home soon.”

Something was wrong. Rainbow knew it. The way Twilight was speaking in past tense; how she forced her smile; the constant guard involvement; and now talk of heading back to Ponyville. A sudden chill worked its way though her body.

“Twilight,” she began, bitting at her lip, “how long have I been in here?”

In her defense, Twilight did the best she could. Which usually leads to great fits of rambling.

“Well, given the workload of the hospital, not to mention the massive influx of more ponies... I mean, this staff fantastic!”

“How. Long?”

Twilight sighed in defeat, mentally prepping herself for the onslaught of questions she was about to be bombarded with.

“Five days.”

“Down the hallway and to the left; third door on the right.”

“Oh, t-thank you.”

Fluttershy nervously made her way along the Lunar wing of the hospital. Well, maybe “nervous” wasn’t exactly the proper word. “Terrified,” now that was more like it.

It wasn’t the staff on this wing, they were very nice and helpful (even if all of them were Thestrals); nor was it the fact of being alone in an unfamiliar place. Well, maybe a little, seeing as how she felt that every eye was upon her. Unnerving.

No, it was the colors chosen for the Lunar wing - from the onyx and purple Night Lilies to the long corridors painted deep blue, accented with pale velvet moldings - everything about it was dark, cool, and somewhat foreboding.

A Hospice section; or close too it anyway - the colors should’ve been a clear indicator of that. The real question was: why was Spike here? Surely his injury hadn’t been that bad, had it? Was it dragon related? Him being a baby and all... Fluttershy shook her head in mild frustration.

For the most part, dragons were big, mean and scary, so she avoided almost anything and everything related to them, meaning her knowledge of their physiology was extremely limited. To prevent a massive panic attack, Shy decided that the other wing was understaffed and the put him here for better care, no matter what her brain was trying to rationalize.

And then she passed it, finding herself at a t-junction at the end of the corridor. Backtracking, she gave a soft sigh of relief, thankful nopony else had seen her (though it didn’t stop the embarrassment from tinting her cheeks pink). Placing her hoof on the door knob, Fluttershy turned it gently and stepped within, her jaw dropping slightly.

Unlike the opposite wing, the rooms on this end were massive, containing an actual living quarters for the family while being separated by thick viewing panels, just like the maternity wing at Ponyville; deep onyx curtains installed on both sides for privacy; sound-cancelling enchantments for added freedom and security. Luxurious furniture and appointments decorated this side of the glass, on par with Royal living quarters. And there, seated upon the sofa next to a side table of spent tissues, sat Rarity.

“Um, Rarity?” came the familiar, timid voice. “Are you okay?” The latter didn’t answer, choosing to stare vacantly at the divider. “Um, you don’t look so good.”

Fluttershy made it a point to never make fun of her friends or their appearance (the whole debacle with Iron Will made her feel terrible to the point to apologizing ad nauseam). This was especially true with Rarity, whose unbelievable ability to create the most desirable fashion wear was nothing short of stunning. And yet, despite everything she know of her friend, Fluttershy could think of no other words that what she’d previously spoke to describe the scene before her.

Rarity’s indigo mane, always meticulously brushed and coiffed, now lay disheveled upon her scalp, full of tangles and split ends. Azure eyes, always so vibrant with inspiration and slight mischievousness, were now cold and glazed, seemingly unsure how to take in all of the transpired events around them. Twin grey streaks traced around her cheeks before curling under to a point on her chin, easy indications that Rarity had been unable to keep the flood gates from opening - evident by the matching color splotches on the pristine, white coat of hers.

“Rarity?”

For the first time (probably in days), Rarity slowly turned, angling her eyes towards the sound of her name. For a brief moment their eyes met; compassionate cyan orbs studying crestfallen azure irises. It wasn’t a stare-down, nor was it meant to be, yet Rarity was the first to break, burying her face into her hooves once more, heart-wrenching sobs beginning to echo softly within the confines of the room. Fluttershy didn’t hesitate, rushing to her friend’s side almost instantaneously.

“Shhh,” Shy whispered, wrapping her wings around Rarity, creating a cocoon of safety. “Please calm down. There’s no need to be upset. Everything’s okay.” Rarity shook her head miserably.

“N-no, it’s not okay,” she replied, doing her best to pull free of Fluttershy’s embrace. “Everything’s gone to Tartarus, Rainbow’s hurt, and Spike... Spike is- is...”

Fluttershy simply hugged her friend close, rubbing her cheek against the top of her head in an effort to soothe her even more. The struggling beneath her wings gradually subsided until only Rarity’s soft, rhythmic breathing could be heard.

“Poor dear, she must be exhausted.”

If not for her hold on Rarity, Fluttershy would’ve covered herself with her wings and squealed in surprise at the foreign voice assaulting her ears. She jerked her head up, coming face-to-face with one of the Thestral nurses. Fluttershy started to speak but the nurse simply “shushed” her, waving a dismissive hoof.

“Please, do not rouse her,” the bat pony whispered. “I’ve just come to inform you that the patient is awake and is asking for a ‘Twilight Sparkle’. Would that be you, by chance?” Fluttershy’s cheeks tinted pink.

“Oh n-no, not me. She’s in the other wing. Would you mind getting her? I’m a little... uhm...”

“Think nothing of it,” the mare smiled. “Your friend needs all the rest she can get.” She raised a hoof to her chin. “I don’t think she’s slept more than a couple of hours in the past few days. She must really care for her friend in the other room.”

With a soft nod and a smile, the nurse turned and left, leaving Fluttershy and an exhausted Rarity alone once more. Shy looked down at the snow-white mare, now snoring softly, and couldn’t help but giggle.

“Wake up soon, Rarity. Spike will want to see you, too.”

A half-eaten piece of quartz landed back amongst its brethren as Spike grabbed his skull in bittersweet victory, continuing to chew the softer gem in silence. Such was the risk he’d been willing to take.

Both the doctor and nurse had cautioned him on eating whole gems as the vibrations from the crunching would irritate his injury a hundred fold, choosing instead to bring the young drake a combination of powdered diamonds and crushed opals in an attempt to keep discomfort to a minimum. But Spike was insistent on having fresh gems and, in the end, the staff reluctantly complied with his requests.

“I bet they’re all in the hallway laughing right now,” Spike grumbled, placing the bowl back on the side table, eyeing the powdered minerals just opposite. A low tummy grumble signaled his hunger had still not be sated. He closed his eyes as the scent impacted his nostrils, making his mouth water.

Well, it would be a waste not to eat it, considering the time and effort that went into its preparation; and it sure beat having his cranium pound every time he chewed course minerals. Grabbing the bowl with his claws, he immediately set to work. He closed his eyes in bliss as the first spoonful slid down his throat with ease. He let out a sigh of contentment. Extravagant.

“Glad to see your appetite isn’t injured.”

Spike’s eyes snapped open at the sound of that familiar voice.

“Twilight!” He exclaimed, then quickly grabbed his head, wincing. Definitely too soon to be yelling. “How are you? Is everypony ok? What did I miss?” Twilight didn’t speak right away, choosing to gaze sternly upon him.

Uh-oh, here comes the lecture.

“Spike, I’m very disappointed in you,” she began. “I told you to stay and help Rarity, not come looking for us. You could’ve been seriously injured, maybe even-“ she stopped herself before uttering the next word. Deep breaths, Twilight. Deep breaths. “What were you thinking?”

To be fair, he’d been expecting this ever since Rainbow had rescued him, even more so that his discussion with Rarity (which, if he survived Twilight’s lecture, he’d finish later). And judging by Twilights’ unfaltering, constant stare, she was still expecting an answer.

But what exactly was he supposed to say? He’d done it on instinct, brotherly love of the one being he’d known as ‘mom‘ for so long. Would she accept this as a viable excuse or would it take much more for forgiveness (and why did he find himself becoming inwardly angry?)

“I couldn’t just leave you behind,” he began, trying to keep his voice from cracking. “What did you expect me to do?”

“I expected you to follow directions,” came her sharp, stinging quip. “With everything going on I was trusting you to do what I asked.” Her response left him both wide-eyed and slack jawed. He could feel the moisture forming in the corner of his eyes. “I’m a grown mare. I can take care of myself just fine without someone checking up on me.”

Whatever inner strength or test of will the young drake was using to keep his mixed back of emotions in check let go.

“Oh, that’s real big talk from somepony who couldn’t have survived without Applejack and Rainbow!”

Now it was Twilight’s turn to go wide-eyed.

“Now wait just a minute-“

”Oh, you think I didn’t know?” The tears were flowing freely now, but he showed no signs of stopping. “Applejack told me the whole thing last night: the loss of your magic, the wall of water, and your aerial rescue. If not for your friends you wouldn’t even be here!”

“Spike, please listen-“

”No! You listen! Did you ever stop and think about your family? About me?” Twilight felt the wind rip right out of her sails, her face full of regret, wishing she could redact everything she’d just said prior. Spike pulled his legs up and leaned forward, wrapping his arms around his knees. “You were the first pony I saw when I hatched. Aside from Celestia’s assisting hoof, you raised me, you took care of me, loved me, and fed me. You were my mother, sister, and best friend. I may not know much about my dragon heritage, but I do know I have a long life span-“ he brought his eyes level with hers. “-and I couldn’t imagine how hard the rest of those years could’ve been had I lost you.”

That was all the unicorn could take. Twilight closed the distance between them rapidly, leaning over the mattress and pulling Spike into a loving embrace. Now she was crying as well.

“Spike,” she whispered, “I know you’re mad at me and you’ve got every right to be, but don’t ever, ever think I wasn’t worried about you.”

Spike sniffled, wiping at his eyes. “But-“

She silenced him with a gentle hoof to his lips, giving a warm, loving smile in return.

“I love you, Spike.”

No more words were spoken. None were needed. There would be a time to reflect and diagnose everything with everypony. But that time was later.

Much, much later.

“Um, I hope we’re not interrupting,” came a familiar timid voice, which was followed by an equally familiar Bitish accent.

“Yes, Darling, we’d hate to interrupt a bonding moment, but I-we just wanted to make sure everypony was ok.” Fluttershy nodded quaintly in agreement.

Clutching Spike tightly, Twilight looked like a deer caught in the headlights, unsure of what to say or how to respond.

“H-how long have you been there?” she managed to burble out.

“Um, well, we heard yelling and knocked, but you didn’t answer.”

“Not long, Deary,” Rarity interjected as Fluttershy slipped behind her in embarrassment. “Like Fluttershy said, we heard quite the uproar so we decided to investigate.” Her eyes met Spike’s for a spit second before forcibly shifting to Twilight’s. “Purely out of concern, of course.”

“Everything is fine,” Twilight consoled, letting go of Spike. She could’ve sworn she’s seen a hint of jealousy glinting in Rarity’s eyes, but maybe it was the stress getting to her. “I think everypony is out of sorts as of late.” She sighed. “It’s been a long five days, hasn’t it?” Spike tenderly rubbed the back of his head.

“Yeah... I didn’t want to say anything Rarity, but you look a little... rough.”

The walls flexed at the loss of air pressure at what was, quite possibly, the biggest gasp ever heard. Even louder than Pinkie’s.

“SPIKE!?!”

Spike was sure he was about to get another ear-splitting reminder on proper etiquette when suddenly, Rarity tittered. She actually tittered, waving a hoof dismissively at the pair.

“Now, now, Twilight. There’s no need for such dramatics.” She brought herself to look directly at the young drake, smiling softly with a hint of silver behind her eyes. “He is quite right, for I do look a tad under the weather; nothing a treatment with Aloe and Lotus can’t cure.”

“I do hope my animal friends are okay,” Fluttershy’s voice said from somewhere behind Rarity. “And Ponyville, too. I just want all of this to be over so we can go home.”

“I just hope we have a home to go back to,” came Spike’s rather morose retort.

The sound of armored hoof falls coming from down the hallway halted any further conversation from the group as two of Luna’s personal guards made their presence known. The two approached, kneeling and prostrating themselves before the group.

“We hate to interrupt, but Princess Luna has requested you presence in the Royal Court.”

A collective groan escaped the four. The two guards looked at one another, shrugging.

“Please tell me this isn’t more bad news,” Twilight said, holding a hoof to her temple. “I don’t think any of us can handle more of that.” Spike seconded the notion.

“Yeah, what exactly does she require us for?”

“Our princess did not disclose the nature of the request, but we can assure you it was not ‘bad news.’”

“We’ll need to get the others. Fluttershy, if you’d be so kind...”

“Do not trouble yourself, Twilight. Princess Celestia has already sent her own guards to gather your friends. Come, follow us, please.”

Well, they were organized, she’d give them that. As the group mobilized, Twilight noticed one hanging behind. “Rarity?”

“Oh, I’ll be along momentarily,” the fashionata responded with a hoof wave. “I’ll bring Spike along, too.”

“Well ok, but don’t take too long. You know how Princess Luna can be ...impatient.”

With a giggle and another hoof wave, Rarity sent them on their way, leaving her alone with Spike. She could feel her heart palpitations increasing just being in close proximity to the drake. She been close to him before: gem collecting, sorting her varied swaths of cloth, even accompanying the others to the spa. So why was now any different? It shouldn’t be, yet she couldn’t halt the hammering within her chest; nor the butterflies swimming in her stomach.

“Uh, Rarity? You okay?”

No. She couldn’t face him like this - all flustered and out of sorts. She needed to compose herself, to be the regal fashionista she knew she was and is. She couldn’t let her l-feelings for this drake turn her into an emotional mess. A grating of her teeth, one deep breath, and...

“Yes, Spike, I’m fine,” she returned, “though I would ask the same of you.” She faced him once more, the silver behind her eyes shining even brighter than before. “I mean, here you are, injured, and you’re left to heal in such dreadful design atrocities. I simply must address Prince Luna about her horrible choices in decor.”

“Rarity, listen. About what I said on the train... I never meant any of it. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

The feeling she’d semi-successfully been holding at bay came back, making her heart flutter something fierce. No, she wouldn’t lose it. Not now. Reaching out, she took Spike’s cheeks between her hooves, giving them a tender, gentle squeeze.

“Oh you silly little dragon,” Rarity cooed as the drake blushed, “of course I forgive you.” She leaned forward, his lips so tantalizingly close. No, she couldn’t, she mustn’t. Instead, she angled her approach to plant a kiss upon his forehead. That brought forth a blush from Spike that even his coloring couldn’t hide. She just hoped he didn’t notice her own cheeks flushing slight pink, nor her dainty lip bite.

“Thank Celestia,” he managed to choke out under the circumstances. “I thought for sure you’d never speak to me again.”

“Nonsense,” she spoke matter-o-factly, releasing him. “Twilight would have Rainbow constantly bombard my boutique with all sorts of foul weather if I couldn’t get over such a petty misunderstanding.”

Gently, as not to cause further discomfort to Spike, Rarity cautiously levitated the young drake from his confines and placed him upright upon the floor.

“Besides, we’re friends and friends don’t stay mad at each other. Now come along. The princesses have requested our presence.”

She exited the room, leaving Spike to himself. He gave a heavy sigh.

“Yeah... friends...”

And just like that he knew, deep down, that was all they’d ever be.

Information Overload

Celestia’s sun had begun it’s lazy trek towards the horizon, helping the pegusai clear what remaining clouds of the storm persisted, bathing the surrounding areas in soft, golden hues.

In fact, most of Ponyville’s (and much of Canterlot’s) populace had graced the soft grasses of the Royal Garden to frolic and enjoy it’s warmth and glow - a stark transition from several days earlier. Though having move ponies to watch out for was a bit more strenuous, their cooperation and civility in the midst of such chaos made his job all the more easier.

And that’s the way he liked it. After all, the last thing he and the others under his watch needed was utter panic and strife. Whatever it was that had crashed into the heart of the capitol had nearly caused just that. Maybe it was time to consider retirement. The sound of approaching wing beats drew his attention back to the present.

“Captain Stonehoof!”

Stonehoof swivelled, facing the young cadet. Even in the strong evening sun and the gold-plated armor surrounding the new comer, he knew that pose and vocal tone anywhere, as was the same with each soldier under his command. Cirrus cloud, if not mistaken, her lithe, yet potent form both punctual and rigid. She snapped a wing tip to her brow in a crisp salute. He couldn’t help but let out a light chuckle.

Cirrus was his youngest and brightest cadet; she may not have been the strongest under his watch, but she more than made up for it with her speed and determination.

Stonehoof placed a wingtip to his brow as well, returning the salute.

“At ease, Cirrus,” came his reply. “What news do you bring?”

“Sir.” She lowered her wingtip. “Slipstream and I have continued our surveillance from the caverns to the edge of the forest. We continue to go over the tracks left behind; although the saturated ground managed to swallow most of the traces, we did come across something that I think you might find interesting.”

“Mm. Proceed.”

“Actually, sir, it would be easier to show you.”

As much as he wanted to stay on watch, the ponies below seemed perfectly content with the Royal guards mingling amongst them. Plus it would give him a chance to stretch his wings.

“Very well, Cirrus, lead the way.”

With a powerful set of wing thrusts, the pair took off from the upper balcony viewing station, arching up over the East wall before descending on the warm evening updrafts. Oh how he missed this: the rush of the wind against his coat; the speed as the pair raced along the cliff face, pulling up to continue their pace along the tree tops; watching the birds scatter as they rustled the upper foliage of the trees surrounding the castle basin. It took all of his will power to keep from barrel-rolling and squealing like a foal(something not only his troops but superiors would never let him live down).

All to soon, however, the fun ended as Cirrus angled downward towards a pair of identically clad armored pegusai.

“Skyline! Cloud Racer!” Cirrus called out to the pair, alighting upon the semi-damp earth, the Captain not far behind. “How goes the progress?” She immediately noticed that the pairs’ armor was splotched erratically with crusty white residue, like they’d sat beneath a Phoenix nest. “What on earth happened to you two?” She queried. “And where’s Slipstream?”

Her questions went unanswered as the two lock eyes upon Stonehoof, their mouths agape.

“Yes,” came the Captain’s ice-cold, powerful voice. His temperament was in jest of course, but it was always a little fun to watch his soldiers squirm a little. “What did happen to the both of you, and exactly where is Slipstream?”

The two exchanged a quick glances before snapping their wingtips up in salute. Cloud Racer was the first to speak up.

“Sir,” came the mare’s strong-yet-slightly-tinted-with-nervousness reply. “I-uh, that is, we-“ Skyline shoved an armored hoof to her lips.

“What Cloud Racer is trying to say, Captain, is that we-“

Cloud Racer shoved him back forcefully, anger flashing in her eyes. “Don’t try and speak for me, you arrogant foal!”

“Don’t lay your hooves on me, you ingrate! I’m two years your senior and I’ll do as I damn well please!”

Verbal jousting and cutting gave way to pushing and shoving before turning into an all out brawl. Soon the valley was filled with grunts and clangs as hooves clashed against flesh and enchanted steel. Stonehoof could feel his left eye start to twitch beneath his helmet. This was not what he’d expected from the newest members of the squad.

(20 years ago)

Training under Atlas in his early days at the Academy, Stonehoof spent many a session in awe of his teacher. Unlike most in their position, Atlas wore the un-enchanted chain-mail used during the earlier rule of the Two Sisters. Though light weight and flexible, they offered little in defense from the thrusts of swords and spears; nor the blasts of arcane magic unicorns and other creatures possessed. Despite this, Atlas never complained, even when a sliver of metal made its way through the ringlets.

During a particular rough bout of training, Stonehoof found himself in the infirmary with a twisted wing. As he was being treated, Atlas made his presence known, only waiting until the staff had exited before beginning to speak his mind.

“You’re quite the brawler there, Stone,” Atlas commended, slapping his pupil on the back. “I don’t think Sun Spot will tangle with you again for quite a while.”

“Is he really that scared?” Stonehoof asked through clenched teeth. “I thought the tussle was pretty evenly matched. At least until he twisted my wing with his magic.”

“Judging by the way he pissed himself when you bucked him in the chest, I wouldn’t be surprised if he jumps when you scratch your nose.”

“Aw, come on, Captain. I didn’t really scare him that badly, did I?”

Atlas gave a wry smile. “You bucked him so hard that you dented his chest plate. It’ll take the blacksmith shop days to repair. In fact, if Sun Spot had been unprotected, you’d have most likely dislocated his shoulder; broken his sternum, too.”

Stone looked down at his hooves, unsure of what to say, as an awkward silence permeated the room. He felt Atlas’ hoof on his shoulder. He gave his teacher the most pitiful, dejected look he could muster.

“I didn’t mean to, it just happened.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Stone. You reacted in self defense, nothing more. Besides, for all intense and purposes, that was a war drill and he was the enemy. Had it been a normal sparring session I don’t believe the situation would’ve gotten quite so out of hoof.”

Stone simply nodded, slivers of relief overtaking the previous stricken tones of his face. He still felt guilty about what he’d done, but Atlas’ words had calmed his nerves significantly (though he would have to control his anger limits better in the future). Still, there was something troubling him, a finite niggling in his gray matter that teased, prodded and poked to get his attention. Something so obvious, like the armor pl-

It all made sense now; the wall had crumbled.

“Permission to speak freely, Sir.”

Atlas’ eyebrow rose toward the ceiling in surprise. They weren’t on duty and Stone had been fairly talkative up until just now, so what exactly had caused the sudden need for rank and file? Curiosity piqued, he decided to bite.

“Permission is granted, Stone, although I don’t see why it’s necessary.”

‘I’ve always wondered-“ Stone began, “-why you wear the old-style armor when the newer style is available?”

The room suddenly dropped several degrees as Atlas’ demeanor changed from upbeat and pleasant to rigid and ice-cold. His smile vanished, replaced by a somber from, narrowing brow to match.

“Uh, Captain?”

Atlas mustered no response, choosing instead to march over to the door and secure it with a loud “clack,” causing Stone to swallow hard. The Captain was mad, that much was clear, but what had set him off? More importantly: what was going to become of him?

“Captain?” Atlas jabbed a hoof downward in response.

“SIT!”

His hump hit the cold tile floor with a thud, jarring his injury. The pain was fleeting, just as his desire to grimace in discomfort. Hell, the floor could’ve been filled with broken glass, acid, or broken glass dipped in acid – it didn’t matter. When the Captain said “sit”, you damn well better. The move elicited an eye roll and a small head shake from Atlas, who then procured on of the aids’ rolling chairs, pushing it towards Stone.

“Wouldn’t it be more comfortable on that instead of the floor?”

Stone righted himself quickly, grabbing the newly available, and much more comfortable, seat. Atlas rolled one up as well, plopping himself down in front of his cadet. The tension was palpable.

“What I’m about to tell you is between the two of us and does not leave this room, understood?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Good,” Atlas nodded, readjusting himself more comfortably. “Now, what can you tell me about the Griffon Border Wars? More specifically - who is Ivanclaw the Terrible?”

Despite his extensive knowledge due to late night binges of by the book studying about the Griffon Border Wars, Stonehoof was at a loss as to who Ivanclaw was. He simply shook his head in defeat, earning a huff and a half smile from his captain.

“I didn’t think you would,” came Atlas’ response. “A very select few have even heard the name before.” He eased back in the chair. “Even Princess Luna didn’t learn of him for a while after her return. I can only imagine what she’d have done had she not been banished to the moon.”

“I don’t understand,” came the expected reply. “I’ve never heard or read about any of this.”

“That because all knowledge of it has been redacted, save for the copies in Celestia’s private library. Even then it requires high security clearance and a vow of silence.”

“So everything I know is a fabrication? A lie?”

“Not entirely,” Atlas replied as he stood, moving from his chair to the small window just left of him. “The written account before, during, and after is all accurate - just with the more sensitive details removed. Just as I said.”

From his viewpoint, the Captain watched as his Lieutenant continued the evenings drills in his absence. Dangling from the high archway of the West Entrance, the Night guard hung motionless, tightly wound in their wing cocoons, waiting for their shift to begin. There weren’t many Thestrals left, most had long gone into hiding after the princess had been banished almost a thousand years prior. They harbored no ill-will to Celestia in what had transpired all those years ago, but they longed for the return of Luna- some even believing in the rumors of her return. How sad they must feel...

“He wasn’t always know as Ivanclaw the Terrible.”

“He wasn’t?”

“No,” came the captain’s replay. “His name was Icarus Cloud, Queen Illiana’s right-hand griffon and adviser on social matters.”

“So why did he change his name?”

“You see, the Border Wars had been going on for quite a while, with the Griffon Empire beginning to crumble financially under the weight of both starved trade and constant skirmishes. With options dwindling, the Queen ordered the council to request a meeting with Princess Celestia to work out a possible means to end the conflict. Icarus was dead set against it, arguing that doing so would show weakness to the enemy. Several of the council backed his ideology, all in agreement that if they surrendered, the princess would hold them under her iron hoof.”

“Princess Celestia would never do something so heinous,” Stone said in her defense. “She would only use force as a last resort.” Atlas gave a soft chuckle, turning back to his cadet.

“I know. Apparently the rest of the council did, too, for they sided with the Queen, agreeing with the meeting wholeheartedly.”

“I imagine that Icarus was disappointed in the outcome?”

“Undoubtedly so, seeing the Queen’s choice as a direct insult to his character. Queen Illiana tried to reason with him, explaining that finding a common ground for peace was not weakness, but strength. It mattered not to Icarus, for the seeds of resentment and, in his mind, betrayal had been sown.” Atlas walked solemnly back to his chair and sat, almost dejectedly. “It wasn’t long after that Icarus, and a hoof-full of council members sympathetic to his cause, planned a coup to dethrone Queen Illiana, sighting that someone so weak should not wield power and authority. In the end, the coup failed, having been sniffed out by her personal guards.” He gave a long, exhausted sigh. “It was sad for Queen Illiana, watching as one of her closest was dragged off, screaming and howling, cursing them all and vowing revenge on what they’d done to him and the Empire.”

“Isn’t that typical behavior when a villain gets caught?” came Stone’s cheeky reply. Judging from his superior’s expression, he wasn’t impressed.

“I fail to see anything humorous about what I’m telling you. Do you?”

“N-no sir!”

“Good.” Atlas cooled his demeanor, becoming complacent once more. “Now, where was I?”

“Um, the guards dragged him off?”

“Ah, right! Once the tense situation was settled, Illiana sent word to Celestia, agreeing upon a peaceful conclusion to end the conflict. Celestia agreed, sighting that she and her ponies would do whatever it took to save the griffons from peril, though she did wonder why they’d rejected her offers of assistance prior. To say the queen was shocked was an understatement, having no knowledge of this, calling Celestia out for trying to make the whole series of wars entirely the griffons’ fault. By Tartarus, everyone thought the negotiations were about to fall flat. That is, until news came from the dungeon that Icarus had withheld prior documentation from the Queen about said relief effort. Her shock turned quickly to anger, demanding he be executed at sunrise for his treason.”

“That must have been hard on the Queen, seeing her right-had man betray her like that, even to the point of the fall of the Griffon Empire.”

“Celestia took it pretty hard herself, wanting to save everypony she could, griffon or otherwise.”

Atlas rose from his chair once more, heading to the small fridge next to the water cooler and procuring sever bottles of Sweet Apple Acres Ale. He returned once more, providing Stone with the extra beverage. Stone just looked at the nearly frozen beverage nestled between his hooves, then to the captain, unsure of what exactly was expected of him. Atlas merely half-smiled before taking the bottle in his maw, removing the magically sealed cap with his teeth and chugging a quarter of it, wiping the excess foam from his lips with a loud, satisfied “aah!’

“Like I said, Off-duty. Drink up before it gets warm.” He took another swig of his own, letting out an unprofessional belch in conclusion. “Man, I don’t know how Hard Cider and Blossom do it, but their brew is always top-notch. I’ve tried, but I never could get those two to divulge their secret. Even Granny Smith has been tight-lipped about it.”

Stone finally broke the seal of his own drink (sans teeth, of course) and partook of the contents within. He didn’t consider himself a drinking stallion, but he had to agree with the captain: this brew was top-notch.

“So,” Stone began, wiping the brews’ foam from his lips, “what happened next?”

“Nothing at first. The treaty was signed with much jubilation on both sides, opening trade between borders once more. In fact, Celestia was so inclined to keep the peace between the two races that she ordered members of her guards to forgo the new armor and dress down into chain-mail, theorizing that it would appear less threatening and hostile.”

“What about Icarus? Was he really executed at dawn?”

It could have been Stone’s imagination or the ale, but he could have sworn the captain seemed to deflate, drawing inwards. As if something was trying to crush his very being from existence.

“No,” came the response that Stone wasn’t expecting. “When the guards went to retrieve him they found two dead sentries, an empty cell, and a solitary scroll upon the straw bedding. Scrawled upon it in blood was a simple phrase: ‘You WILL pay for your crimes! – Ivanclaw the Terrible.’”

“With armed sentries, how did he manage to escape, let alone kill them?”

“No one really know how it happened. Best guess scenario was that he had followers deep within the community that did the dirty work for him. The ‘Ivanclaw’ tag was more than likely used to throw off the investigation.

“Queen Illiana sent word to Celestia, warning her that her own guards could be in grave danger. Unfortunately, that warning arrived too late.”

“If the guards were attacked, then it would appear the Griffon Empire redacted on the treaty, ending in another conflict.”

Stone felt his chest tightening in awareness of just how devastating something of that magnitude could have been. But it hadn’t happened, otherwise he himself - as well as the whole of Equestria - would be involved in an extremely bloody war. Then something occurred to him, a nugget of questioning that had been hiding in the recesses of his mind. Until now.

“Captain, how do you know all this?” Then came Atlas’ defeated sigh.

“Because I was in the battalion that Celestia sent out.”

Now It all made sense to him. This wasn’t just some redacted history lesson. Atlas had lived it first hand and was now forced to relive it, drudging it up from the bowels of his darkest nightmares, all because Stone had made some loose-lipped comment about the captain’s body armor.

“Captain, I’m sorry I said anything.” He began rising from his chair. “Let’s just forget I said anything about-“

”SIT, DAMN YOU!!” Atlas bellowed, rattling the pictures upon the walls. “I will not suffer through this alone! You asked for an explanation and by Celestia, you’re damned well going to get one!” He chugged the rest of the ale in the blink of an eye, sending it flying across the room where it shattered to almost nothing from the force behind his throw. It was obvious to Stone that it wasn’t just repressed memories talking, but a healthy dose of cider as well. “The things I’ve seen, what they did to them...” Atlas clinched his eyelids tightly, unable to stop the moisture from forming in their corners. “I will not suffer alone!” he bellowed, the tears now flowing freely.

Off all the things that Stonehoof had witnessed in his rather young life, seeing his superior bawling his eyes out in suffering and grief ranked quite highly on his scale. And dammit to Tartarus, now he was crying too.

“It wasn’t my idea to cause an emotional breakdown!” Stone howled in response, his words slurred by a combination of waterworks and ale. “Can we please stop this?” Atlas shook his head miserable in response.

“I cant, not any more. I’ve carried this inside for so long.”

“But surely Princess Celestia knows how you feel. I mean you’ve talked with her, haven’t you?”

“Of course I’ve spoken with her!” Atlas snapped, immediately regretting the lashing out. After all, it wasn’t Stone’s fault things had occurred the way they had in the past. He just seemed to bare the brunt of the pain endured back then. Atlas sighed once again. “Sorry. She understood my pain, allowing me all the time it took to cope with it all, vehemently insisting I even retire to a desk job filling applications for new recruits.”

Stone did his best to contain a laugh suddenly roiling up in his gut.

“A desk job? You? I can’t see that ever happening.”

The heavy fog of angst and torment seemed to left somewhat as Atlas managed a half-smile and chortle.

“That’s what I told the princess, explaining that if I ran from it I’d never get better. Though I never went on patrols outside the Equestrian border again, I remained as loyal and devout to her as before. Deep down I think she took a lot of personal blame herself for even suggesting the use of light armor. I didn’t blame her, though, and neither did the few who managed to survive. To this day that fact never changed.”

“I know I’m going to regret this,“ Stone began, “but what exactly happened all those years ago?”

Atlas sighed once more, wiping the moisture form the corners of his eyes. “I remember it like it was only yesterday, Stone.”

Stonehoof leaned slightly forward, his reactions hinged on his Captain’s words.

“There were twelve of us in total: four Pegusi, four Unicorns, and four Earth ponies - six mares and six stallions - all led by Lieutenant Sparkler and hand picked by her as well. She considered us the best of the best and we were not about to disagree with her either.”

Stone absorbed ever word, ever detail, as his Captain laid out his journey before him. He did question why Lieutenant Sparkler led them out in the Wide formation (three rows of four ponies) instead of having the Rank-File (two-by-two with Pegusi in Diamond formation for aerial support). “Princess’s orders” was the response to his question, though he didn’t necessarily agree with the decision. Circumstances always look better in 20/20.

“We were five miles to Griffonstone when it happened. Don’t really know if they’d been following us for a while or exactly how many there were. Everything went black in an instant.”

“They ambushed you? Who, the griffons?”

“Most likely those who aligned themselves with Icarus. They used some type of sleeping gas so we were out before we knew hit us. When we all came to, we found ourselves somewhere underground, shackled and chained, wing-bound, and horn sheathed, completely at the mercy of whomever or whatever.

“Several of our squad called out, vainly hoping their cries would be heard. Sparkler called for everypony to remain calm, for help would come to them. There was a hum of electricity and sets of old, rusty hanging lanterns slowly sparked and flickered to life. That’s when we heard him laugh.”

“Ivanclaw?”

“Yes. He sat upon an enormous, pale throne, a sickening stench emanating from it. To our horror, what he’d been sitting upon was crafted out of a mixture of griffon and pony bones, some that still contained decomposing flesh and tendons attached; the severed heads of his prior victims were displayed above it like a grotesque visage of honor.”

Stone felt the cider reverse direction, coming up in the back of his throat. He reached over and grabbed the waste bin before retching the contents of his stomach within, the nauseating stench of warm cider and bile wafting up his nostrils. Growing up, he’d seen blood and gore before, but this was beyond sickening.

“You alright, Stone?”

Stone shook his head weakly, dry-heaving a few more times before he looked back at the Captain.

“Of course not!” He placed the waste basket back beside his chair, just in case. “What did you expect me to say after that?”

“Calm down. No need to be so defensive. I just want you to know one thing before I continue: it only get’s worse from here.”

Now came the point of no return. Should he stay the course or refuse to listen? With great strength (or morbid curiosity), Stone pushed forward, hoping to Celestia Atlas was not being serious. He nodded weakly.

“He studied us all intently for a few, brief seconds, like a lion stalks his prey, looking for weakness. The malice in his eyes would’ve made even the most stalwart soldier cringe. He reached out to his left, the sound something heavy being pulled amongst the shadows. The slack in our bonds tightened instantly as we were lifted up, our hooves and bodies displayed like ponnequins. There was a swelling of fear amongst our ranks, yet Sparkler emboldened us with her words. 'Be brave and remember the code,' she said. Ivanclaw merely cackled in sadistic delight, promising a slow, painful, torturous death if we resisted. Somehow I think he relished in that very thought. He extended his clawed appendages into the shadows once more, nodding curtly at some unseen being. The fact we were surrounded by the unseen was highly unnerving. When he removed them they were shod in a pair of thick, rubber gloves.” There was a long, uneasy pause between the pair once more. “Tell me, have you ever heard of Nettles before?”

Despite the nausea, Stone cringed, nodding as best he could without causing the need to dry-heave once again. Nettles were a unique type of sentient vegetation, long thought to have originated as an organic defense mechanism to protect the Castle of the Two Sisters long, long ago. After Nightmare Moon's banishment and subsequent abandonment of the castle, they uprooted themselves, becoming nomadic. While rather benign, when threatened, they secrete a sticky, green sap from the tips of their thorns. While not toxic or venomous, it is excruciatingly painful. So painful, in fact, that even Timber wolves avoid them at all costs. Thanks to a discovery by the royal physicians, their sap was now used in surgeries due to the cauterization effects.

“He strolled across the room nonchalantly, reaching a rather antiquated cabinet nestled within the rocky crags to our left. Metallic clangs echoed from somewhere within its confines as Ivan searched thoroughly. Moments later, the sound stopped as he slowly turned, a twisted smile upon his beak and a wooden staff nestled tightly within his grasp. He rotated his hands counter-clockwise, causing the staff to elongate, two metal protrusions to extend with a soft “snick”. At one end was a long, thin, and smooth rod, about the size of a large knitting needle, that glowed with a sickly, green tint. At the opposite was the blade of a rapier, sharp enough to scratch dragon scale, coated in the same green tint.” Atlas gave a deeply bitter laugh. “I'm sure you can guess what happened next.”

“Torture.”

“Torture? Torture is just a word compared to the savagery Ivan cast upon us that day. His was more akin to some sick fetish.” Atlas paused again for composure. This was far more difficult on him than Stone could possibly imagine. “The first to go was Thundercracker, the air scout of the Fifth Regiment. There was a metallic screech as Ivan pulled Thundercracker along the guided rails in the ceiling to the center of the cavern, like an animal ready for slaughter. There was a loud “thwack” as Ivan stuck the side of Thundercracker's jaw with the staff in his grasp. He groaned out it pain, too dizzy to do much else. That was his attention getter, as Ivan so eloquently put it, wanting details on Celestia's plans for the Griffon Kingdom in exchange for a swift death. 'Go buck yourself' was the received answer. We all knew that was exactly what he wanted to hear.”

“The Royal Guard would never cooperate with the enemy, no matter the- oh...”

“Reaching out with his claws, Ivan took Thundercracker's wing in his grasp, forcefully extended it, and with the flick of his wrist, lopped it off with the serrated edge of the staff.”

Without thinking, Stone quickly grabbed his own, mouth agape, in shock. What kind of fucked-up being would do that to a pony? Even Discord, the Lord of Chaos, had ethical standards compared to Ivanclaw.

“He opened his mouth to scream, but nothing emerged. Taking this as a sign, Ivan continued, switching ends and dragging the smooth end from the base of his skull to his cutie mark, only stopping there to gouge the sensitive flesh surrounding it. It was then he let out a pained, shrieking wail, piercing our very souls to their cores. Ivan laughed, getting the response he'd wanted from the beginning. He asked the same question once again, testing the integrity and fortitude of his captive. The answer he received was the same as before, which only pressed him to try harder. Either way, it was a win-win for Ivan.

“He continued, each gouge, each scratch, each cut causing Thundercracker to become weaker and weaker. In the end, Ivan became bored, deciding it was time for a fresh body. Taking the smooth end of the staff, he placed it in Thundercracker's sphincter and ran him clean through, the very same smooth end exiting at the base of his throat. He went immediately into convulsions, eyes rolling back into his skull, a mixture of foam and blood exiting his agape mouth. It was over quickly and, with one final spastic jerk, Thundercracker relaxed and lay still. There was the sound of slick wetness as Ivan pulled the staff from his victim's body, giving a stern look of disappointment, like he'd expected more of a challenge. Reaching up, Ivan pulled the small cotter pin connecting the chains to the pulley system. Thundercracker's body hit the ground with a wet, dull thud, the chains collapsing onto his lifeless body.”

“I need another cider,” Stone said as he stood, making his way to the fridge. “I'll try and keep this one down.”

“Get me another while you're up. I'm definitely going to need it, too.”

Procuring a couple more brews, Stone returned to his seat, handing one to his Captain. Atlas chugged a fifth of his quickly, only to pause and stare down into it.

“He was lucky, you know?” came the Captain's surprising verbalization. “Thundercracker, I mean.”

“What? How exactly was he lucky?”

“Because, despite the horrific acts he was forced to endure, it was over for him. There would be no more pain, no watching your squad being brutally taken apart. For the rest of us it was only a matter of time.” Atlas leaned back in his chair, a small creak emanating from its spring, and stared at the ceiling tile. “He didn't have to hear the sounds of meat and bone as his body was dragged off and consumed somewhere amongst the shadows, watch as Ivan split Raindancer down the center for having the temerity to spit in his face. That sick bastard even ate the unborn foal from her womb. By the gods, if Celestia had known she was pregnant she'd never have sent her on the mission in the first place.

“I don't recall exactly when it happened, but shortly before Ivan's blade was set to disembowel Sparkler, my senses were overwhelmed with explosions, dust, and light. Through the dirt and debris, I caught glimpses of Illiana and Celestia, each with their selected guards, dressed to the hilt in enchanted battle armor. Through some miracle, they'd found us, much to our relief and Ivan's disdain. In his panic, he tried to run, only to be pinned forcefully against the wall by Celestia's magical prowess.” Atlas paused one more, taking a long, healthy drink of cider. “Illiana dragged the bound Ivan off as Celestia freed us from our bonds, his screams and threats echoing long after they'd vanished from sight.”

For the first time since Atlas began retelling the horrors he and his squad had encountered, Stonehoof no longer had the urge to vomit. Instead, he gripped the edges of his seat, it's metal sides warping and folding under his direct assault.

Stone was angry. No, he was furious to the degree of blurred vision. War was war, he made no qualms of that fact. There would always be the darker side of conflicts as well. But what Ivan had done, especially to Raindancer, made him wish he had been there to do the same to Ivan himself. He could taste the copper in his mouth. He'd bit his lip in anger.

“I know how you feel, Stone,” Atlas said, extending his forelegs towards him, revealing a set of dull lines beneath his coat. Scars. Stone's anger quickly changed to shock and horror at the sight.

“You… you didn't...”

“No,” Atlas reassured, giving Stone a huge sigh of relief, “they were caused my struggle against the bonds that held me. I wanted to get my hooves on Ivan, even if it meant my own death in doing so. Though I did have thoughts after the fact, Celestia helped me through it.”

“Wait, you said 'others'. How many of yo- er, the squad made it out?”

“Five: Sparkler, Divebomb, Bright Steel, Firefly, and myself.”

“Are, are they still around?”

The air was briefly filled with an uneasy silence as Atlas took another long swill from his cider, stopping only to stare at the bottle, almost as if silently asking it how to proceed in answering the query placed before him.

“Not many of them, no.” Another long pause. There seemed to be a lot of those occurring within this conversation. “We found Bright Steel, or what was left of him, near the entrance of an Ursa hibernation cave. Apparently, he'd gone in knowing the risks of doing so. Divebomb to a much more direct approach by binding his wings and leaping from the highest spire on the castle. Sparkler remained within the Academy, foregoing active duty and focused her energies on training recruits. Unfortunately, Ivan's torture had left her sterile. Her inability to foal finally took its tole on her psyche and, one day, she never showed up for class. She was found several days later in an Everfree Forest clearing. Timber wolves had gotten her, only left the parts they didn't like.”

Stone held up his hoof, waving it in a “hold on a second” movement.

“Wait, wait. So they willingly ended their own lives? But they survived, had families and children, I assume. Even if Sparkler couldn't foal she could have adopted. Surely Celestia offered any help she could. I don't understand this. I- It-”

“It's like I said before, remember? Those who died at Ivanclaw's hands no longer had to suffer? Physical injuries leave scars, just as mental and emotional due, but they are invisible to the naked eye. It's why they made the choices the did. No amount of help could get through the blockades that their minds had formed. And, believe me, we tried.”

He rolled the nearly empty canister of cider slowly between his hooves, once again deep in thought.

“Celestia took it the hardest of us all, you know. I mean, every time one of our squad mates died under mysterious consequences, she had to inform the next of kin while spinning the facts to save them from the horrors that the deceased had endured. They could never know the honest truth, and that fact alone emotionally crushed her. She knew, deep down, the risk of retaliation was too great. Add to that the rumors of Nightmare Moon's return...”

Atlas siphoned the remaining nourishment, letting out a hearty “ahh!”, dropping the empty bottle into the waste basket with a wet, sloppy thunk, giving Stone a case of the nauseating shivers. Had it really come to this? Was the burden of their lives that much that they all welcomed the embrace of death?

“Don't think it's all horrible news I have,” Atlas spoke at the mixed emotions on his student's face. “Firefly left on good terms, returning to Cloudsdale and becoming one of the directing mares at the Rainbow Factory. Last anyone of us had heard, she'd met her special somepony and they'd had a foal together. I've never had the pleasure to meet her, but I hear she's quite the little flier. So good, in fact, she's the youngest to join the Junior Speedsters. Oh, and Celestia has taken up a new apprentice. Twilight Sparkle, I believe it is, daughter of Night Light and Twilight Velvet. Quite the curious little filly, always fascinated by anything and everything magic related. Always has her muzzle in a book, trying to absorb as much as her brain can hold in any given sitting. I'm sure you'll find her running around soon enough, so watch your hoof-falls.” Atlas let out a contented sigh. “Rumor is she's headed for Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Wouldn't surprise me in the least.”

“And Ivan, what happened to him?”

Stone nearly bit his tongue in apprehension, realizing the words that just came from his muzzle. It was painful enough for his captain to dredge up these horrid memories without him adding to it. Fortunately, it didn't seem to faze him, at least, not visually. And for that, he was thankful.

“Well, the official report received indicated that after his incarceration, and the subsequent capture of all those associated, he was banished the depths of Tartarus for the rest of his days.”

“Well, it's good to know he was held accountable for-”

“Unofficially though? She had everyone associated with Ivan led into the town square and, in front of every griffon, beheaded them, one by one, until only Ivan himself remained. He continued to rattle off threats and curses, even as the queen trussed him up as he'd done so many others. Those same harsh words quickly turned to cries of fear and pleas of mercy once his eyes came upon the very staff he'd used on his victims. I'm told Illiana took her time in exacting vengeance upon him for his crimes, allowing him to suffer for hours before his life was rendered inconsequential. Celestia didn't remain to see punishment handed down, feeling she'd been in the presence of death enough for one day.” Atlas slowly rose from his chair, stretching the stiffness forming in his muscles. “So now you know the truth of what happened so long ago. But tell me, knowing what you know now, what would you have done in my hooves?”

Of all the questions he was prepared to answer, this wasn't one of them. In fact, it was so far out in left field that it took him a few moments to process it fully. What would he have done? On the one hoof, If he'd been in his captain's hooves, he wouldn't have thought twice about exacting vengeance upon the griffons. On the other though, he'd gotten to know some really great griffons during his time at the Academy, especially Lazarus. Man could he fly! It would be a shame to take aggression out on him over something that happened so many years prior.

“As much as I can sympathize and understand your feelings Captain, I cannot, in good conscious, hold an entire race responsible for the actions of just a few. If you hold that against me I won't blame you, but my position on the matter will not change.”

Atlas then smiled. Not a fake smile, but a real, genuine, honest-to-goodness grin that curled his lips upwards towards his ears. To see his captain smile like that was strange, to say the least. Hey, at least he was smiling, right? Just why did it seem so creepy?

“Celestia told me I'd make the right choice.”

Stone blinked in confusion. Celestia? What in Equestria did Celestia have to do with anything? And what choice was Atlas referring to? Suddenly, his eyes went wide, the elephant hiding in the room grabbed it's top hat and cane, proceeding to tap-dance into view.

“Captain, I agreed to the rules at the beginning of our conversation, but...”

Atlas' smile never faltered, but his left eyebrow made a slow, steady climb toward the ceiling. Geez, could he get any creepier?

“I mean, I'm not going to speak of our discussion, as I gave you my solemn promise, but Celestia has ears everywhere, you know? I'd give it twenty-four hours until word reaches her. I'm sure your get off with minor punishment, but I'll be locked in the dungeon for years at best. I don't want to think of the worst case scenario.”

“What you say is true. Celestia warned of the consequences of leaking redacted information.” Stone visually swallowed. His fears were about to become reality. “She also stated that, when the time was right, I was to inform my replacement of what had truly happened, continuing the oral tradition until she felt her subjects could understand the truth and why she hid it from them.”

Stone worked his jaw, trying to force it to work properly after hearing his captain's words. “D-did you just call me… your replacement?”

“You've still a long way to go, mind you, but your potential is astronomical. By Celestia, you'll be the youngest to advance in your training, even younger than Shining Armor!”

Atlas rose and turned, heading towards the room's exit and unlocking the door with a loud “snick”. He looked back over his shoulder at his young cadet, still smiling.

“I've been though a lot in my years as Captain,” he began, “lost a lot of comrades, too. But what happened with Ivanclaw was the worst of the worst for all involved. Despite that dark time, not a one of us – living or deceased – broke under his torturous onslaught. Remember this: no matter the size of your army, the power of its magic or the brute strength it possesses as a whole, you're only truly as strong as your weakest link. When the time comes for me to step down I only ask that you remember what you've learned here.”

Stone didn't know what to say. After all, it wasn't every day you find out about a dark part of history and plans for your own promotion. It was a lot to take in. He looked to his captain for greater explanation only to find that the warm (albeit creepy) smile and softer features had been replaced with those of worry and concern.

“Captain, are you alright?”

He blinked his eyes several times in confusion. Had Atlas just called him “Captain”? Why in Celestia's name would he refer to him as the same title(and why did Atlas' voice suddenly sound so feminine?)

Atlas quickly made his way back to where his student was seated, grabbing him by his shoulders and shaking him gently.

“C'mon, Captain, snap out of it!”

(Present time)

“Please, Captain, answer me.”

The serene safety of his past soon faded away, sterile whites and wood tones replaced with dampness, low light and the raucousness of a continuing scuffle. A pair of deeply concerned azure eyes staring deeply into his. Stonehoof blinked away what remained of the fog of his past.

“C-cirrus?” Her concern quickly faded into relief.

“Thank Celestia.” she let out a deep sigh, “You were staring off into space for, like, five minutes or so. I couldn't get your attention. Are you okay?”

“I- yes, I'm fine. Just caught up in an old memory.” A large cacophony of punching and swearing caught his attention. He groaned in frustration. “Really?”

“I'm sorry, Captain, but I couldn't get them to stop. They're like a couple of yearlings fighting over their favorite toy.”

“Hey guy! I'm back with the- ugh. You two are fighting AGAIN?!? I can't leave you two alone for five minutes.”

“Slipstream!” Cirrus exclaimed, catching his eye as she peered around her captain, his pale blue coat and two-tone magenta mane and tail easy to spot without the enchantment of his royal armor. “Where have you been?”

“I should ask you the same question,” came his snappy retort. “I saw you fly off and leave post the moment turned my back.”

Stonehoof groaned aloud. One pair of infighting ponies was enough without these two getting into it.

“Slipstream-”

“I told you that I had to report to the captain about what we'd found. You even acknowledged that I told you this. Were you even paying attention? Or were you running off to do your own thing as usual?”

“Cirrus-”

“Well some of us have important work assigned to us that doesn't involve kissing flank!”

Stonehoof reared up on his hind legs and slammed his hooves into the ground with enough force to rustle the leaves in the nearby Night Oak trees.

“QUIET!!” he roared, bringing all commotions to an abrupt halt. “There's been enough chaos around here without you for adding to it!” He snorted in disgust at the whole mess. “I want all of you front and center. NOW!”

Momentarily, all four of his cadets were aligned, prim and proper, if you consider two beaten and bruised, one sans armor, and one unsure of herself prim and proper. They were all tired and scared from all the commotion of the previous days, so was he, but it was at times like these that he needed them all the be at their best. He would discuss that matter at a later date. For now…

“Skyline. Cloud Racer. I want the both of you to procure whatever this “information” is, bring it to me, and return to the Royal Armory where you'll spend the next twenty-four hours detailing said armor.”

Any qualms the two may have begun to formulate within the confines of their minds was quashed by Stone's steely gaze. The pair simply nodded, cantered to the base of the nearest Night Oak, returning with several large pieces of plaster tucked under each wing. They placed it on the ground quickly, nodded once more, and returned to headquarters, disappearing quickly in the distance. He immediately turned his attention to the four plaster molds laid at his hooves. Now the tricky part began in deciphering what was what. He picked up the furthest one from his left, noticing the wide yet long path with strange grooves running its length.

“Slipstream, tell me exactly what I'm looking at here. Is this some sort of wagon wheel we don't know about?”

“I had fooled around with that notion myself, Sir, but there were a couple of details that prevented those ideas from coming to fruition.”

Stonehoof's left eyebrow rose significantly. “Such as?”

“Well, despite it's size, this track is relatively shallow, meaning that if this is a new type of wagon being pulled, it would have been extremely heavy and left behind a much deeper gouge in the mud. Also, wagons don't have… whatever these strange grooves are on them. Also, there were no hoof or claw prints found anywhere near the area, meaning that whatever it was that created it was a self sustaining force – which goes along with the report of Rainbow calling it a “horseless carriage”.”

“Sir, if I may,” Cirrus spoke, “I believe, based upon the markings and grooves left behind, that these are some form of water removal channels. Whisperings around the castle guards hint that the scientists were working on a method to help make it safer for carriages and other land-based forms of transportation traveling during unfavorable conditions such as rain, ice, and snow.” She ran her hoof gingerly along its ridges. “Very advanced design, very high-tech.”

Cirrus was right on all accounts, as per the norm. The scientists back at the Academy were always trying to be on the cutting edge of revolutionary ideas. Sometimes Stonehoof wondered if those ponies every saw the light of day or if they had families the way they churned out new ideas seemingly every other day.

“So we're in agreement about the “wagon track”. Could you two care to explain these?” Stone asked, motioning to the remaining plaster molds. “I've never seen anything like them.”

Slipstream rubbed the side of his neck, confused. “It could be a minotaur, as it has four fingers and a thumb imprint, but I've never seen nor heard of a minotaur of this caliber. A centaur perhaps… but it still falls into the same category. Plus there were no hoof prints found, other than our own.” He rubbed his neck once more. “I'm sorry Captain, but I'm at a loss as to what left them.”

Of all the answers that could have been spoken, “I don't know” was one that Stonehoof was hoping to avoid. He mulled the situation over and over again in his mind, the outcome always the same: a set of unknown tracks left by an unknown being who's whereabouts were unknown. That was far too many “unknowns” for his liking. By Twilight's account of the incident, the being or creature or whatever it was, left towards the heavens from whence it came, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, like they were being watched. Stone groaned inwardly, the stress of the past several days compounding an already tense set of circumstances. He needed a vacation.

“Slipstream, where is your armor?”

“At the base of the trees next to where Skyline and Cloud Racer were fighting.”

Stone glanced over his shoulder. Sure enough, Slipstream's protective plating was seated neatly at the base of an adjacent Night Oak, devoid of any scuffs, dirt, or debris, despite the proximity to the previous brawl.

“I want you to suit up and take these findings to Princess Celestia. We'll let her decide our next course of action.” Stone leaned in towards Slipstream. “Afterward you can join Skyline and Cloud Racer in the Armory and help with the detailing, seeing as how you decided to break regs.”

The sight of Slipstream's jaw nearly hitting the ground was a de-stressing moment for him; the look was priceless.

“But Captain,” Slipstream started, trying to defend his actions, “Rule 17a subsection 4 paragraph 2 states that armor be removed when dealing with non-hostile situations, especially with matters of scientific collection to prevent any cross-contamination.”

“The rules also state that any and all rules can be overruled by the commanding officer if and when that state of hostilities is unknown. And considering none of us here can verify with certainty that our visitor is gone, I have the final say in the matter.”

Slipstream dropped the subject entirely and gave a crisp, silent salute before gathering his armor. Trying to press the issue with his captain would most certainly lead to something much worse that armor duty, most likely latrine detail. He shuddered at the very thought of going through that again. As he retrieved his helmet, a small, crystalline vile rolled from beneath it, striking his left hoof gently, a blue, pearlescent glow pulsing gently from the contents inside. He blinked a few times before the realization hit him: he'd forgotten all about it! Suiting up quickly, Slipstream carefully procured his hidden artifact and returned to the captain.

“Before I leave, Captain, I found one more thing you need to see.” He took the vial gently in his wing tips, passing to his captain.

“What in the name of Celestia...” Stonehoof said absently, taking the vial gently with his wingtips. It was unlike anything he'd seen before. Within the reenforced confines of the crystal prison that held it, the strange glowing liquid rolled gently as he rocked it back and forth. There wasn't much of the substance – maybe three or four thimbles worth – but it reacted strangely to the ministrations applied to it. The contents had the consistency of warm maple syrup, pulsed gently with each twist and turn, and never left behind any residue of the inner walls of the container, even as laid the vial horizontally. It then occurred to him that he was rolling an unknown substance rather haphazardly with no knowledge of what might happen. Not his brightest moment, but he managed to hide his fallacy rather well. Yup, definitely going to berate his-self later. “Where did you find this?”

“On the bark of some trees near the old crystal mine entrance. There wasn't a whole lot of it to be found, however. I'm just glad those two didn't manage to somehow destroy what little I was able to recover.”

Cirrus's eyes went comically wide.

“Is that b-buh-blood?”

“Ooh! You know, it very well could be,” Slipstream teased. “Can you imagine it? A monster with blue blood that lurks in the shadows to stalk it's victims?”

Poor Cirrus was on the verge of collapse when Stonehoof put his hoof down, both physically and metaphorically.

“Keep it up and I'll ad latrine duty to armor detail.” That comment zipped his soldier's lip quickly. “This new information changes nothing. You have your orders, now get to it.”

Slipstream saluted crisply, gathered the physical evidence and took flight toward the palace. Stone watched until his soldier shrank to a speck before turning to a clump of Night Oaks, shaking his head and groaning aloud.

“I swear, that kid'll drive me to moonshine one day.”

“Moonshine?” Cirrus questioned, “That's a bit much, isn't it? I mean, it wasn't named after Princess Luna for nothing. That stuff is stout.”

“Well, if Celestia made an alcohol and named it Sunshine it probably still wouldn't be enough.”

The two shared a hearty laugh, a much needed relief to the compounded stress levels of the last several days. They remained silent for a moment as Stonehoof's gaze elevated into the foliage of the Night Oak in front of him, its branches heavily laded with bloodfruit seed pods; a particularly large sack of the fine nuts grew near the upper trunk.

“Looks like the Thestrals will be in hog heaven this year,” Stone said absentmindedly. “There's enough fruit seeds in those pods for the next several winters.”

“Yeah,” Cirrus acknowledged, “even if they gorge themselves every day.”

There was a time when those very pods terrified her. As a filly, her parents would often scold her when she'd done wrong, telling her that bad foals would be taken in the night by bat ponies and placed in pods, warning that naughty foals would become bloodfruit for the night ponies to eat. That alone kept her on the straight and narrow for years until, one day, she let a word she'd learned from the pony down lane slip, causing her to be sent home from school with a letter from her teacher. She remembered pleading on her knees, through sobs and sniffles, not to let the bat ponies turn her into a snack. Several long hours (and many, many apologies) later, Cirrus came to the understanding of what bat ponies and bloodfruit really were. Thestrals, her parents explained, were just a race of ponies that were close to the Lunar Princess and spent most of their time resting during the heat of the day. Apart from several physical features (and highly enhanced night vision), they were no different from anypony else. They weren't vicious, they didn't drink blood, and they definitely didn't kidnap and eat bad children. bloodfruit wasn't made from bad little ponies, either. They were a special kind of fruit that had the combination of strawberries, bananas, and blackberries only grew where the conditions were just so for Night Oaks to flourish. They were only labeled as such do to their naturally occurring crimson coloration and tendency to “weep” red when a heavy dew formed upon them. Thestrals found them to be an irresistible delicacy due to their sweet, tangy flavor and crunchy texture. Word around the castle is that, upon Luna's return and subsequent saving at the hooves of the Elements, the Thestrals gave Celestia an abundance of blood fruit as a peace offering. So impressed was the princess that she named the fruit as on of the greatest in Equestria, enjoyed by everyday ponies and dignitaries alike. Soon, Night Oak plantations were springing up in locations as far away as Neighpon and Saddle Arabia, just to be able to handle the high demand for the fruit (Thestrals simply did not have the supply to go with the heightened need).

“Do you think we'll be able to sample a few pieces once they're harvested?” She'd had it before, during her multiple shifts at the castle, but they were imported, grown with the help of earth pony and unicorn magics. But these? The one's right in front of her? A gift from the heavens. Her saliva glands began working overtime at the very thought, causing her to quickly wipe the drool away before her captain noticed.

“I don't see why they wouldn't but it's better to ask Princess Luna's permission, just to be sure.”

“Yeah... Good point.”

The pair remained silent for a few moments, choosing to view the intricacy of the leaves upon the branches instead. Slipstream hated awkward pauses in conversations, specifically when she had so much to say but couldn't form the words within her mouth.

“Um, Captain?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think it's safe now? I mean, is 'it' gone?”

Stone let out a half-chuckle. “Why, are you scared?”

“Yes, I'm absolutely terrified.” Apparently his light hearted comment hadn't been taken the right way. “I've trained for every situation, read every book and scroll, but this? I don't- I cant-”

She let out a soft gasp as the captain placed a hoof on her withers, smiling gently.

“I completely understand your feelings on the matter,” he reassured her, “as I have found myself wary of the unknown as well. After all, fear of the unknown is a perfectly reasonable outcome.” He slowly lowered his hoof back to its previous resting point. “If I'm completely honest with you, I'm scared, too.”

“I- really?”

“Hey, just because I've been around longer doesn't mean I still don't fear the unknown. Like I said, it is a natural reaction.” He gave his wings a quick stretch. “You know what else is a natural reaction? A few pints of Applejack Daniels. As soon as the night guards arrive, what do you say we hit the tavern? I could use a stiff drink right about now.”

“But what about, you know...”

“I don't think 'it' is still here. I mean, we've been patrolling the entire area around the castle for almost a week, with no signs other that the tracks that were recovered. If it was lingering about, surely it would have tried something by now.” He still had that uneasy feeling of being watched, but was beginning to come to the conclusion it was his nerves and nothing more.

“You're right, I just… think I'll take you up on that drink.”

The doors to the throne room:

Large.

Powerful.

Stoic.

They were also unmoving, which made a certain unicorn mare's worries grow lager and her pacing faster. What was taking so long for the princesses to get to them? Surely it was important or they wouldn't have been summoned. Was it a prank to lighten the mood? If so, it was more along the lines of something Luna would do (Celestia tended to be a little more sly, like when she visited Ponyville and the whole “Gotcha!” scene with the Cakes) seeing as it was more her forte. If this really was a joke it wasn't funny. Twilight growled and snorted, beginning the monotonous route once more. As she turned, she found her path blocked by a familiar orange pony.

“Uh, Twilight? I don't want to state the obvious but you're startin' ta wear the polish off the floor with yer pacin'. Ya need ta calm down just a tad.”

“I agree, darling. After all the hard work the staff put into the upkeep of the castle, you're making quite the conundrum for them.”

Twilight snorted once more. “I don't know what you're talking about! I am not worrying that-” she looked down, noticing the dull path engraved into the polished surroundings. Her ears drooped slightly in embarrassment. “-oh… Maybe I am little concerned...”

Fluttershy gingerly approached the unicorn mare, hoping to keep her friends from devolving into a shouting match. There had been enough of that for an entire life time. For her, anyway.

“You should, um, calm down, Twilight. I'm sure the princesses have a good reason to make us wait… if you want to, that is.”

Twilight sighed heavily, plopping her rump down on the floor.

“I know, it's just… I want answers, you know? I don't like being left in the dark, especially in light of a discovery such as this.” She found herself becoming giddy once again. “The chance for first contact is so enticing.” She sighed once more. “Sorry, girls.”

The six friends let out an “aw!” and all closed in for a group hug. It felt nice to have her friends around her. No matter the situation, through thick and thin, they'd always have each other. Sometimes it was easy to forget that. After all, they may be the saviors of Equestria, but they weren't perfect. The heavy sound of doors opening broke the group apart as a pair of heavily armored guards exited the throne room, taking their respective places outside.

“The princesses will see you now.”

Twilight nodded politely to the guards as she led her friends into the throne room, the sound of the doors closing behind them deafeningly loud in her ears. In the massively open room she suddenly felt terrified, like the weight of failure pressing down massively upon her shoulder. She'd wanted so fervently to know what the princesses had required of her and her friends, now she felt like the new filly in magical kindergarten, afraid of angering the teacher. Twilight abhorrently detested that feeling. Why was she feeling this now? Where was this fear coming from? Had she previously done something wrong and the princesses were just now able to acknowledge it? Her despair grew enormously as the realization hit her: her friends would be going down with her! Collateral damage for something they hadn't done. No! She couldn't let them take the fall for her mistakes. She'd come up with a plan, maybe even beg Celestia for-

“Uh Twilight? You okay?”

“Huh? Oh! Spike, you startled me.” Twilight cleared her throat. “Of course I'm fine. Why do you ask?”

“Well, once you saw Celestia and Luna, you just stopped walking. I thought maybe you were having another panic attack, like that one time when you didn't send a friendship lesson.”

Taking in her immediate surroundings, Twilight found that, indeed, Spike was right. She'd stopped only a few feet from the massive doors, taking notice that her friends had continued on, leaving her alone with Spike. She also caught a brief exchange between Celestia and one of her pegasus guards before he left a rather cumbersome looking group of items, nodded, and then flew out the balcony exit. Fear once again took a backseat to her now piqued curiosity. She took a deep breath, exhaling her anxiety.

“Spike, why don't you join up with Rarity and the others.”

“If it's all the same to you, I think I'll stay.”

Twilight said nothing as the two made haste across the throne room, kneeling in respect with their friends. The animosity between Spike and Rarity was still high, but she thought it better to let the two work it out amongst themselves. At least for now.

“Ah! We are most pleased to see you and your friends once again, Twilight Sparkle; however, there is no need for such formalities.”

“Yes, Luna is quite correct.” Celestia nodded, motioning for her “subjects” to rise. “We simply wanted to see you all and personally thank you for all your hard work in effort in helping the evacuation of Ponyville. I know it has been tough on you all, especially given the “circumstances” which occurred while you were here.” the princess gave a soft smile. “It's good to see you doing well, Rainbow Dash. I was relieved to hear that there were no lasting effects.”

Rainbow puffed out her chest gloatingly. “Well, I AM pretty awesome.”

Celestia simply cocked an eyebrow while Luna bit her lip to keep from laughing. Dash let out a muted “oof” as a familiar orange pony elbowed her firmly in the ribs.

“That's quite enough, Dash.” the palomino pony removed her hat, nodding politely the princesses. “Not ta be rude, yer highness’s, but ya could have talked ta us at any time with the other folks 'round here. Not that Ah don't respect the gratitude, that's not the real reason you wanted to see us, is it?”

A wide-eyed Twilight gasped loudly. “Applejack!”

“There is no need to become upset, my faithful student. Applejack is quite right in her assessment.. While we could have spoken at length at any given opportunity, we felt it better to discuss matters more privately amongst your groups of friends.”

Pinkie bounced enthusiastically before saluting the two sisters. “Don't you worry, I Pinkie promise to keep what ever secrets you're about to tell us safe – FOREVER!!!”

Princess Luna's left eyebrow rose both in question and in curiosity.

“While I am sure that you have no trouble keeping things private, Pinkie, I can certainly assure you that no such measures will be required. My sister and I wanted to talk about Ponyville.”

The entire group to a half-step back in surprise. With all the chaos that had been erupting around them they'd completely forgotten about home. With everyone evacuated and with no real form of communication with other local towns, there was no way to know what shape Ponyville now resided in, if it was repairable, or if there was even a Ponyville to go back to. Not what anyone of them wanted to focus on at the moment. Sensing the rising tension, Celestia quickly intervened.

“Please understand the situation that Luna and I find ourselves in. The capitol simply does not have the room nor supplies for this many ponies. Most of the residents are patient and understanding, but rumblings have begun and we fear word will get around the citizens of Ponyville. So far we've been able to keep it contained with the help of the Royal Guard, but it's only a matter of time until tensions escalate too far to keep subdued. That is why I need you and your friends to investigate Ponyville, see how much damage has been done by the weather. Doing so will relieve much of the tension growing amongst the populace, even if it takes longer than anticipated to complete repair work to the town.” Celestia sighed heavily. “My sister and I simply cannot handle extra load of stress this is adding.” Fluttershy sank back into her friends.

“I wasn't aware we were causing so much trouble,” she whispered meekly.

“Ah don't think that's what the princesses are sayin', sugarcube.”

Of course not, my dear Fluttershy,” Celestia reassured soothingly. “I know it seems we are throwing you all under the metaphorical wagon here, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. You all saved countless lives through your actions. I just wish others could see that as well.”

Twilight had never seen her teacher so down before, and she didn't like it one bit. Not that she was blind to the reasoning behind her emotions, it was just… unfair that the princesses had to bear the emotional baggage that their being there was causing. Surely Celestia and Luna both knew they hadn't done it intentionally. Plus she did send the Royal car specifically for their transportation…

“Please, darlings,” Rarity said her most regal tone, “there is no reason to be so distraught about the present matter. As I'm sure Twilight and the rest of my friends will agree, we will do whatever we can to make things right, even if it means anonymity.” she sighed. “That said, I can only imagine the shape the Boutique is in...” Rarity feigned a fainting spell, collapsing onto her favorite lounge chair.

“Now that ya mention it, Ah really need to get back to the farm. No tell'n what shape tha orchard's in. Plus we're gonna need ta harvest some apples ta feed the workers, at least until more supplies arrive.”

“Ooh! And I get the ovens running at Sugarcube Corner and help feed ponies, too. Don'tcha worry, Applejack, we'll turn those apples into pies, turnovers, ice cream sundaes...” Pinkie trailed off, staring blankly at the domed ceiling, a sliver of saliva hanging from the corner of her mouth.

“Uh, thanks Pinkie. Ah think.”

“No problemo! Things are gonna be okey-dokey-lokie!”

Fluttershy cleared her throat gingerly. “I should get back to my cottage and check on the animals. Poor dears are probably terrified.”

“Hey! And I can get back to Cloudsdale, arrange weather patterns to prevent any further precipitation while we work. The last thing Ponyville or the surrounding area needs is more rain. Maybe we can request more assistance from other weather teams, if they aren't overwhelmed as well.”

“I suppose I could use the library as a base of operations, keep everything running as smoothly as possible.”

Celestia smiled soothingly at their answers. “It would seem that you all have a plan of action. I will inform the guards immediately. They will begin discretely loading the supplies that you request, as well as any other ponies that you think may be of assistance.” Twilight rubbed her chin absently.

“Well, we're going to need the basics: shovels, picks, non perishable foods, medicals supplies such as bandages and disinfectants. Couldn't hurt to bring Dr. Monitor and Nurse Redheart along, their expertise would be invaluable. It would be a good idea to bring another pegasus with us just in case unicorn magic is still restricted back in Ponyville. That way we can still communicate until any lasting effects of the storm have dissipated.”

“We should stop the train before it gets to Ponyville,” Spike yelped as he pushed his way through the throng of pony bodies. “All the excessive rain caused the tracks at the boarding station to sink. If we don't stop short, the train could derail, causing more problems for the survey. One of the conductors told me about it before I- um, h-he told me about it...”

Celestia furrowed her brow. “I see.” her features quickly returned to their normal, royal stance. “We are all thankful that you remembered, Spike. If there is anything else that comes to mind, please inform either Luna or myself immediately.”

“Of course, your highness’s.”

Luna reached over, prodding her sister gently in the ribs.

“Dear sister, I do believe it is time for their reward. Don't you agree?” Celestia smiled in response.

“Yes, of course Luna.”

“Reward?” they called out in questioning unison.

The pair rose from their thrones, with Celestia taping her armored hoof with a soft “clink”. The doors opened once more, revealing the spa twins, Aloe and Lotus. Thy both knew Canterlot had its own stress relief centers with some of the best in griffon, minotaur and pony masseuses in all of Equestria, but they had felt it better to have some familiar faces (plus it would be nigh on impossible to get an appointment, even with a royal decree). The pair cantered softly across the polished hone of the throne room, their hoof-falls barely a whisper in the large, cavernous expanse, and knelt.

“We are at your disposal, princess.”

“How go the preparations in the royal baths? Is the “surprise” ready?”

Aloe nodded vigorously. “Everything is as you wished. And may I just say, you have ze best taste in-”

“You'll have to forgive my dear sister, princesses,” Lotus interjected, covering Aloe's mouth with her hoof, “for this is the first time we've been where the décor and amenities were of such exquisite detail. The poor dear is merely overwhelmed.” She cleared her throat gingerly. “We are ready as soon as you give the word.” Luna clopped her hooves together enthusiastically.

“Most superb! Twilight, it would please us greatly if you and your friends would follow Aloe and Lotus to the royal baths. We feel that you all have earned a reward for your efforts in evacuating Ponyville.” Twilight's cheeks tinted pink.

“We're only doing what anypony else would have done, nothing more. Not that we don't appreciate the adoration, but there really is no need for-” Rarity silenced her friend with a well-timed hoof over her mouth.

“I believe the poor dear is overly exhausted and is trying to say she's grateful for the gratitude you are displaying. Isn't that right, dear?”

“Mrmph! Glirmph!” Twilight muttered, cutting her eyes menacingly at her friend while Celestia did her regal best to stifle the laughter welling up in her throat. Her faithful student for so many years, one of the descendants of the Apple family, the fastest flier to hail from Cloudsdale in the past 1,000 years, the premiere party planner of Ponyville, the best fashion trend-setter this side of Canterlot, and the most shy, reserved and kind animal helper Equestria has probably ever seen. Looking at them now it was no wonder the Elements chose them to wield their power. Reminiscing through memories could wait. Celestia cleared her throat with a little more authority, grasping their attention. The commotion halted instantly.

“While I understand your disagreement, Twilight Sparkle, but you and your friends need this. After all, we need you all in top mental and physical condition to handle the rigors of your upcoming task.” she gave a mischievous smile. “It is also a royal decree. Just enjoy yourself, for our sakes.”

Seeing as any objection would turn into a losing battle, Twilight and her friends (Rarity most enthusiastically) conceded defeat, following Aloe and Lotus out of the throne room, the large, elegant doors closing quietly behind them. As the Solar guards returned to their positions, Celestia rested her posterior gently back upon her throne, sighing questioningly. Luna's sensitive ears easily caught the change of her sister's tone.

“Two bits for your thoughts, Tia?”

“It's just… did you notice the uneasy nature between Spike and Rarity? I could literally feel the tension between them.” Luna nodded slowly.

“As did I. Perhaps it would be wise to investigate further? I would not want bitter feelings to exist among friends. I believe dream walking would be a much more personal without involving everypony.”

“As tempting as the offer is Lulu, I feel it's better to let them work it out amongst themselves. Interfering now would aggravate the situation further. Let us give it time for now. In the mean time, we've got more important things to discuss.” Celestia rose briskly from her throne. ”Come.”

She led her younger sister out of the throne room and onto the balcony overlooking the city below. Celestia took a deep breath, taking in the still coolness of the evening air. It wouldn't be much longer until Luna took control of the moon, changing the blues, yellows and whites into the purples and maroons of night. It was peaceful… yet she was uneasy.

“You are uneasy, sister.” Luna said softly. “Are you worried about our visitor?”

Celestia sighed. “Am I that easy to read, Luna?” she sighed once again. “Yes, I am concerned, but not for the reasons you would think. Do you not find it odd that, aside from the encounter Rainbow had, there has been no further sightings? No attacks upon us or other parts of Equestria?”

“I feel you worry too much, Tia.” she waved a hoof dismissively. “After all, did not Twilight report she witnessed a ball of light retreating back into the night sky? Surely whatever it was left back to whence it came, yes?”

“How can you be so causal about this?” came Celesta’s rather sharp retort which took Luna by surprise. “I've seen much since you been gone the thousand years; enough to know everything is not always what it seems!”

“I'm not being “casual” about anything, Tia,” Luna responded, her sister's sudden outburst of temperament cutting deep, “I am simply implying that if whatever it is wanted to cause anypony harm it would have done so by now. We are very vulnerable at the moment, are we not?”

Luna did have a point. With all the extra ponies crammed inside the security of the capital walls, and the guards spread thinly in both protection and search, it would be child's play for an opposing force to decimate them, causing untold casualties in the process. She ground her hoof into the polished marble in both anger and regret. Luna approached and gently nuzzled her sister's neck.

“Do not share this burden alone, Tia. I too have had concerns about the worst case scenario, but it is quite clear that an attack is not coming as it would have occurred by now. I humbly suggest recalling the guards and have them observe the ponies instead. You hold seniority so whatever call you make I will stand behind.”

Celestia didn't speak for a long time, choosing to look upon the ponies below instead, the soft billowing of her ethereal mane the only movement as her sun sank below the horizon. The soft light of Luna's horn illuminated the balcony as she lifted her moon upon its invisible pedestal, signaling the ponies below it was time to rest and dream. Memories of centuries past tried to come flooding in and it took all of her strength to fight them off. There would be time for that later.

“Lulu,” Celestia began as she slowly turned to face her sister, “how long until you guards arrive?”

“They are already among us, simply waiting for the order to change shifts.”

“Good. Once you give the order, send a group to retrieve the small band still searching the forest. Once their task is complete, have them assist in preparations for tomorrows departure. I would rest better knowing everything was completed ahead of schedule.”

“And what of the objects collected?” Luna queried as she gazed upon the small collection of boxes recently delivered by the guards. “Would it be wise to send those as well? Or should we wait until for a time less hectic.”

“I understand your concern Luna, but I trust Twilight explicitly.” Celestia sneered impishly. “I'm also enchanting them with a time release spell before they are loaded, just in case.”

“Excellent idea! Now, let's get you to retire for the evening.” Luna prodded her sister's mane gently. “After all, our subjects don't need to see any gray in that hair of yours.”

“Very funny, Luna.”

–----------

“Please, right zis way.”

“Oh, I just can't wait, darlings,” Rarity commented as she rolled her head, her neck cracking and popping in response. “I am definitely in need of 'The Works,' if you catch my meaning.”

The twins simply giggled in response. “Of course.”

“Now don't y'all go hogging all time, Rarity,” Applejack said in reprimand. “You ain't the only one who's a might sore after this ordeal.”

“Please!” Fluttershy pleaded. “No more fighting. I don't think I can handle much more.”

The group stopped immediately as Rarity rushed forward and embraced Fluttershy tightly, forcing the breath out of her.

“Oh, I'm sorry, dear. We didn't mean to cause you any grief. Please forgive us.”

“Ah think she would if ya would let her breathe, sugarcube.”

“F-forgiven,” Fluttershy wheezed, the color returning to her cheeks. “Let's just relax for the evening, if you don't mind, that is.” Rainbow stretched her wings, eliciting a groan of discomfort.

“Yeah, relaxing is definitely on the menu, don't you agree, Twilight?” No response. “Uh, Twilight?”

Twilight chose to remain silent, looking blankly into the distance. In fact, she hadn't said uttered on syllable since leaving the throne room. No insistent ramblings about how and why the castle was carved into the mountain, a lack of giddiness about their portraits in the stained glass Halls of History. Nothing, just that empty, blank look that pierced right through her friends. Truth be told, it was starting to get really creepy. A sharp pain in her cheek snapped her out of her trance.

“Ow!” she yelped, watching a purple hand out of her peripheral vision. “Spike!”

“Sorry,” Spike apologized, moving from her side to fill her vision, “but you were acting weird. Are you okay? You seem a little pale.”

Twilight blinked, noticing seven sets of eyes looking upon he in concern. Her paleness was quickly exchanged with cheeks flushed with embarrassment. How long had she been standing there zoned out? She stammered for a moment before settling on the tried and true, “nothing, just tired” excuse. It was a complete fabrication, of course, something she knew Applejack picked up on instantly. The farm pony said nothing, much to her relief, though their would most likely be a long conversation about the truth planned for a later date. As the group resumed their trek toward the spa, there was the steadily increasing sound of hoof falls on the marble flooring.

“Twilight! Twilight Sparkle!”

She knew the voice almost instantly, having been in Ponyville hospital plenty of times over the last few years (thru no fault of her own, of course). She swiveled her neck toward the incoming voice.

“Nurse Redheart?” Her face was flush from exertion, her lungs gasping for air. “Are you alright?”

Redheart held up a hoof, wheezing as the much needed oxygen filled her.

“I (wheeze) need (cough, cough) to talk (pant) to you. It's (gasp, hack) important.”

On the verge of collapse, she was thankful to see a glass of water, held up by the unicorn's ethereal magic. She didn't know where Twilight got it or even if it was just a figment of her imagination, but she took it in her hooves anyway, putting the glass to her lips, drinking deeply. The temperature was perfectly balanced: not too cold to cause her body shock from the sudden temperature change, yet not overly hot to exacerbate her condition. Apparently Twilight had done her studies.

“Thank you,” she responded softly, the flushed color fading from her facade. “I needed that.”

The cup within her grasp levitated up before blinking out of existence. So it was magic after all.

“So...” Twilight began, a concerned smile appearing upon her muzzle, “what exactly was so important that you nearly passed out from exhaustion?”

“I'd prefer to speak with you in private without the, uh, audience.”

“Girls, why don't you run along, I'll catch up to you in a moment.”

“Are you sure, Twi?” Applejack queried. “Ah don't want ya to get lost in this maze.”

Twilight gave a small giggle. “I spent most of my childhood in or around this castle. I'm sure I can manage.”

“Well okay, but y'all better hurry. Rarity tends to hog the steam baths.” she playfully prodded her unicorn friend. “Isn't that right, sugarcube?”

“Well, I think I deserve it,” she quipped, prodding her disheveled mane. “I do so revile being in such an unkempt state.”

The two mares bickered playfully as the group walked off, vanishing around a bend in the hall. She felt a tug on her shoulder, expecting Redheart but finding Spike instead.

“Do I have to go, too?” he looked down, drumming his claws together. She wanted to say yes, but it wasn't really her call. After all, Redheart did say it was a private conversation. Twilight looked at the nurse for conformation of a “yay or nay” to his remaining.

“I suppose you can stay,” Redheart said, eying him warily, “but what I say must remain confidential. Is that clear?” The young drake nodded slowly. “Good. By the way, thank you for the water, Twilight. I haven't had to exert myself like that for a long time.”

“Well I highly doubt you would have been in that state, if what you have to tell me was not important. Speaking of which, what is all the fuss about?”

“I'm sure you were wanting to look at this earlier,” Redheart began, producing an extremely familiar chart sheet. “Blue Shield noticed a 'tug' on it while reviewing the stats with Rainbow.”

Twilight said nothing, grasping it in her magic aura and pulling it to her face, trying to hide her embarrassment. How could anypony blame her for wanting to know about her friend's well being? She grumbled under her breath, praying to Celestia that her cheeks would return to their normal shade.

“How did you manage to get this? Surely he put up a fight, protocols being what they are in the medical field.”

“I have my ways,” Redheart smiled mischievously in response. “I also felt since you are her best friends that having you break it to her would be best, after her family… she doesn't have anyone else for support.”

“Her family?” Now Twilight was utterly confused. “Break what to her?”

“Tell me, has Rainbow ever mentioned wanting foals of her own?”

Twilight bit her lip, trying not to snicker. The nurse must have really over exerted to come up with a question like that. This was Rainbow they were discussing, whose only dream was on day becoming a full fledged member of the Wonderbolts. Redheart's lack of reciprocating joy dried up Twilight's amusement instantly. She was serious.

“No, she hasn't mentioned it before. At least, not to me. Why?”

“Please, just read the report.”

Twilight did as requested, still confused about Redheart's last statement. She perused over the page, filled with charts and brief scribbles about injuries, blood pressure and type, weight, wingspan, eye color. Nothing out of the ordinary so far, just basic medical records. Why the urgency? Rainbow's health was important, but what exactly was so out of place? To her everything looked on the up and up. Redheart noticed the confusion upon Twilight's muzzle.

“Second page. Last paragraph.”

The sturdy, papyrus-based sheet flipped with a hum of ethereal magic. Twilight clucked her tongue, eyes scanning down the well written script.

“Ah, here we are. 'Patient's injuries are non-threatening, only minor scrapes and bruises along with a mild case flash blindness. Applied synthetic pegusai tears for treatment. Blood and urine tests came back positive with no signs of diseased or genetic anomalies. However...'” Twilight stopped mid-sentence, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. This couldn't be. No, it had to be a misdiagnosis. She looked up, eyes pleading. “Please tell me this is a mistake, that Blue Shield imput the data wrong.” Redheart shook her head miserably in response. “Are you telling me-”

“What is it, Twilight?” Spike questioned.

“It's Rainbow. She- I-”

“Yes,” came Redheart's somber reply. “she's barren. I'm so sorry.”

Chapter 8

Chapter 1: Storm of the Century - part 8

The train cars lurched forward abruptly as the engines’ steel wheels snagged upon drier tracking, causing the occupants to feel a tad light-headed and queasy. Well, all except the three ponies in the last car.

“There, there,” Fluttershy, whispered softly as she ran her hoof through Pinkie’s now straightened mane. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

“B-but she made a ‘P-pinkie promise’ ”, Pinkie wailed, increasing he grip on the butter-yellow pegasus. “You’re not suppose to break a ‘Pinkie promise’ ”.

Fluttershy really didn’t handle these types of situations well. It required a pony of clout, a take charge attitude, and a fiery determination with the ability to remain strong no matter the outcome. A couple of someponies like Twilight and Applejack. Fluttershy was no slouch, mind you, when it came to standing her ground. Usually this involved cranky dragons, a fearsome cockatrice, or a bear with a bad back spasm.

This was Pinkie. And not the ‘crying-waterfalls-of-tears-then-becoming-instantly-happy’ Pinkie either. She was distraught to the point of almost hyperventilating and if Fluttershy couldn’t find a way to calm her down, she’d pass out. If only there was a way to convince her that Twilight-.

“Pinkie, do you remember what Twilight said before she made her ‘Pinkie promise’?”

“Mm-hmm, “Pinkie sniffed, looking up at her comforter. “She said to leave if they didn’t make it back in time.”

“You know how Twilight is, Pinkie. She would never lie to you or her friends. She’ll teleport in, with Applejack in tow, and start telling all about their great escape. If you look at it that way then she didn’t break her promise at all, now did she?”

This little tid-bit of information was all that was needed to re-ignite the flame of happiness within the party pony, causing her mane and tail to explode back into its normal, puffy self. Pinkie’s coat was still a darker shade of pink than normal but to Fluttershy, this was an immense improvement of the situation. Without warning, Pinkie launched herself from Fluttershy and began hopping around the cabin.

“Oooh, ooh! I know! “Pinkie squealed, pulling several containers of confetti and nearly three feet of streamers from her mane, “Twilight ‘n Applejack will be all like ‘ *poof* here we are!’ and I’ll be all ‘SURPRISE!’ and they’ll both be all like *GASP*. This is gonna be soooo awesome!” Fluttershy simply scuffed the floor tenderly in response.

“Um, maybe you should have a ‘quiet surprise party’. I mean, I sure they’ll both be really tired. And wet. And dirty. And, um, the ponies in the other cars might be upset if you make too much noise. I mean, if you want to, that is.”

Pinkie paused mid-hop and rubbed her chin in contemplation of this detail. After several seconds of ignoring gravity and the laws of physics, the party pony floated gently to the carpeting.

“Well, I think I’ll take a nap until those two get here,” Pinkie remarked, stretching her hooves skyward, “that way you and Rarity can have a chat without me being a ‘third wheel’ and interrupting during a crucial discussion.”

Before Fluttershy could muster even a meek response, Pinkie disappeared in a pink flash only to reappear on the car’s luxury sofa at the far end wrapped in a comforter and snoring lightly; occasionally giggling about some random joke that only she could understand.

“Oh Pinkie...” Fluttershy mused inwardly, rewarding the situations conclusion with a small smile only to have it quickly fade into solemness, rotating her head softly to look at her spa partner.

“Rarity...”

A soft flash from a distant crack of lightning illuminated a certain alabaster mares’ features as she continued staring out the magically reenforced plate glass window. Any passerby that caught a glimpse of the sight would have sworn to Celestia the locomotive was haunted. And what pony could blame them? Seeing a sad, lonesome, disheveled and seemingly empty-soul of beauty; peering out in search of the very one she lost? This was how many ghost stories parents told to the little colts and fillies were formed. Rarity; however, could have cared less at the moment as she continued to gaze out blankly into the darkness. Spike was gone and nothing could ever change that; not even the soft hoof-falls upon the carpet could drag her from the loss.

“Rarity,” Fluttershy asked nervously, “are you, um, ok?” There was no response to her question, just the gentle swell and collapse of Rarity’s barrel. Gentle puffs of condensation formed on the glass from the fashionata’s proximity to it. “Um-“

”What am I going to do,” Rarity questioned, her voice thick with traces of bitterness, hurt, and anger, “now that I’ll never see him again?”

“Rarity...”

“He could have just waited with the rest of us,” she continued, seemingly oblivious to the timid mares calm interjections.

“Rarity.”

“All because of his rash and foolish decision, I’ll never see him again.”

“That’s enough!” Fluttershy commanded as she grabbed Rarity by the shoulders, spinning the fashionata around to face her. Of course all Rarity could do was stare, shocked and wide-eyed as her normally timid friend’s assertiveness. Cyan orbs glared into azure ones. “What in Equestria has gotten into you?”

Given the sudden turning of the proverbial tables, Rarity mustered the best response she could. “I... He...”

“I, I? I?!” Fluttershy shot back, her voice booming from the close proximity to her friend. “Is that all you can think of? ‘I’ this and ‘I’ that. Stop being so bucking selfish!”

“How dare you call me that?” Rarity hissed back; shock turning to anger and eyes narrowing in fury. “Why, I’ve never been so insulting in my life; by one of my own friends, no less!”

“Well, what exactly would you call it then?”

“. . .”

“You are so caught up in what you want that you’d rather keep Spike to yourself than let him find one of the only ponies that he considers blood family. One of our own friends, no less.”

Fluttershy gave a slight smirk to grind her point home, which further pushed Rarity closer to the edge.

The fashionata rose up on her hind legs, towering over the pegasus. “How dare you take his side in this!” Rarity fumed; her hair curling and spaying out from her rising temper. “How can you even suggest what he did to me, let alone say-“

Fluttershy sighed, shaking her head. ”I’m not saying what he did was right, but what you’re doing isn’t right either. I mean, how do you think Twilight is going to feel when she gets here and can’t find Spike? We don’t know where he went or even where to start looking.” Fluttershy scuffed the reenforced door. “We can’t even get out to help.”

Rarity’s rage dispersed quickly upon the Fluttershy’s revelation and she deflated back to her sitting pose facing the glass pane once more. Despite her best attempts to deny the truth, she knew Fluttershy was right. No matter how redundant their lives could be on a day to day basis, they all had something to come home to at night. Except Spike. And once Twilight learned the news, that he’d run -off in search for her. . . She softly wept again for fear of not knowing how to tell Twilight; the Princesses’. To convince her heart.

“Fluttershy, you must think I’m a horrid monster,” she sniffed, wiping away a few stray tears that refused stay hidden. She quietly gasped as a pair of wings draped themselves gently upon her shoulders.

“Never,” Fluttershy responded as she nuzzled against her friends neck. “Not in a million years. It’ll all work out for the best. You’ll see.”

“I-I hope so,” Rarity answered weakly for deep down she knew even if she forgave Spike, she may never forgive herself.

“Don’t tell me he did what I think he did,” Rainbow all but whispered. Cloud just nodded.

It didn’t take a whole lot of brain power to know removing thermal flight wear in extreme winter conditions equaled disastrous consequences. Granted, those suits weighed a ton, but what good is extra speed if you freeze to death before you can get to safety? Again, these decisions the Red was making brought Dash back to Basics 101. Rookie mistakes can, more often than not, lead to serious injuries or worse.

“Yeah. He didn’t even blink when he did it either,” Cloud retorted sadly. “Just up and shed the thing then quickly wrapped the foal with it. ‘Our mission is for naught if this child dies,’ he said.”

Rainbow could feel every part of her body begin to tighten up; her heart and mind both knew what was coming. Like reading and re-reading ‘Romeo and Juliet’; hoping for the outcome to be different, only to be disappointed once again in the end. Only for Rainbow, this wasn’t some love/tragedy scripted by a long dead stallion. No, this was real life and the consequences were far more dire than just a few shed tears.

“The four of us were so preoccupied trying to save the little guy that we neglected to notice the storm clouds reenforcing themselves. By the time Streak and Spitfire noticed the situation, it was too late.”

Cloud took in a ragged breath and exhaled it in a pained sigh. “A white hot crack of lightning blasted forth from the upper atmosphere; striking the ground with such force that we were knocked off our hooves. The sound of ice and stone splitting rang in our ear canals as we quickly righted ourselves. Red pushed the foal into Spitfire’s hooves as the roof of the cavern gave way; a large chunk of debris impacting Red in his wing. Streak and myself went immediately to his side, trying desperately to pry him free.”

Dash grimaced at the last bit of detail, absently grasping at her wings. “That- oh Celestia.”

“ Yeah, I know, “Cloud responded, mirroring Rainbow’s motions, “The angle in which the debris struck it. . . We knew his wing was broken, severely. Any lesser Pegasai would have screamed like a little foal. My Red was tough, though. Didn’t even whimper; even tried to furl it back into place, which elicited a sharp groan from his throat. I told him to quit trying to be the tough guy. We needed to get out of the cavern, as it wasn’t safe anymore.”

“Surely he knew that going out into the storm without a thermal suit was-well-suicide?” Smooth Dash. Great choice of words. Apparently, her choice of dialogue didn’t bother Cloud, or at least she didn’t show any signs that it did.

“The cave floor suddenly gave way beneath us,” Cloud continued, “leaving Red dangling precariously for his life. I reached out, taking his hooves in mine as his grip gave way. I remember the feeling of ice running through my veins as I saw the pitch black expanse the seemed to endure on forever below him. Streak wrapped his forelegs around my waist and began back beating his wings, trying to pull us out of harm’s way. It just wasn’t working. The storm, coupled with the weight of the thermal suits, had taken its toll on us all.” The older mare paused momentarily, casting her gaze towards the ceiling tiles; the thrumming of the rain mixing with her breath to create a bit of serenity in the bleakest part of her life.

She then looked across the table and smiled one of the saddest and most heart wrenching smiles Dash had ever seen. With her body starting to tremble, she spoke again.

“My forelegs were like lead; only by physical view did I know our hooves still remained connected. The splitting rocks, Streaks’ wing beats, the fury of the raging storm above us. All of that suddenly drowned out; our gazed locked upon one another. I know what he saw in my face: fear, desperation, helplessness. The unbearable finality of what would happen if I lost grip. Then Red - he smiled at me; his face aglow in love and warmth, and said ‘Take care of our daughter. I love you’. Then he- he just... let go.”

“Ah gotcha Twi’!” A.J. yelled over the torrents raging roar, “jus’ hang on!”

Up until now, everything had gone quite well for the twosome.

Even without her magic abilities, Twilight’s uncanny sense of direction was razor sharp and, true to her form, found an alternate path only a few minutes after leaving Pinkie and Fluttershy: an old, long abandoned quartz mining facility that ran along side the flooded river; most of whose old, rusted mine carts were filled with worthless rock debris. Twilight surmised that “dislodging the old carts from their current position would cause irreversible kinetic energy and by colliding with the decommissioned control tower, it would cause massive amounts of trauma to the structural integrity; forcing a controlled collapse and allowing unrestricted access to the opposing shore” - or “run away mine cart” - in layponie’s terms. Of course the old brake lever had rusted tight, turning a few seconds job into a few minutes one. Time was of the essence, so “a few minutes” meant either rescue or being left behind.

With a little team work (and a big help from ‘Leg’s Magillicuty’ and ‘Kick’s Mcgee’), Twilight’s plan began to come together. The rusty cart wheels screamed and moaned in protest as the streaked down the bumpy rails, spitting and showering sparks of fire only to be snuffed out by the torrential downpour. A tremendous roar blasted above the storm as the speeding carts jumped their rails, slamming headlong into the tower. A column of water blasted skyward as twisted iron, splintering wood, and discarded mining refuse came together, creating the makeshift path the pair so desperately needed. The pair gave each other a quick glance, nodded, and bounded for their exit.

Twilight quickly took the lead, squealing like a school filly. Her plan worked! It actually worked! No scribbled in equations on parchment, no test runs, and no magic. Perfectly executed as if she had used all three before hoof. Twilight was so pleased with herself that she didn’t hear Applejack’s calls, nor did she hear the roar of impending doom, until it was too late.

The world around her spun crazily, her fore hooves finding nothing but air beneath them, as the path created just moments earlier seemed to vanish. Shifting back on her hind legs, Twilight spun, trying to find something, anything, to latch onto as the unstable surroundings continued to vanish. The metallic ‘clink’ of horseshoes provided a brief respite, and her saving grace, and Applejack latched onto her, shouting down towards her. Which led to the current situation now.

“I can’t find any footing!” Twilight called up, panic evident in her tone. “I’m gonna fall!”

“Ya’ ain’t gonna fall, Twi’! “A.J. strained out through gritted teeth. “ Just stop panicking or you’ll be drag’ n us both down!” Twilight nodded rapidly in response and tightened her grip on Applejack.

What had happened? He plan worked down to the finest detail so why did the situation go horribly wrong? Now’s not the time, Twilight. You can deduce this at a much safer location. With a final grunt, A.J. hauled Twilight up over the edge of the mangled tower; pausing a moment to catch her breath.

“Dang it, Twilight, Ah tried to tell ya’ to wait,” A.J. began, reaching up to adjust her Stetson only to realize, much to her chagrin, that it was nowhere upon her person. She cursed inwardly at this new revelation. “What were ‘ya thinking?”

“I’m sorry, Applejack, but we were out of time. We had to get across if we’re ever going to the others. I didn’t think it would – *gasp* – A.J.! Your hat!” Twilight felt guilt creeping in to replace her panic. “You must’ve lost it when-“

”Forget it, Twi.”

“But, that was a gift from your-“

A ground-shaking rumble cut of the unicorn, causing both mares to cease their conversation. The twosome cast their views up the roaring body of water, squinting to see the cause of the noise, only to have their eyes go wide with shock at the sight headed towards them: a wall of water barreling towards them. Boulders the size of cottages and massive trees were nothing more that pebbles and matchsticks. It was painfully obvious that this storm had much more that bargained in store for them as well as Ponyville.

“C’mon let’s move!” Applejack shouted, barely a whisper above the roar. “We’ve gotta back track!”

“Back to what?” Twilight asked as the two broke into a run. “There’s nowhere to go!”

Twilight wasn’t just being negative towards Applejack. Her idea to double back was made out of desperation; not on quick thinking. Granted, her skills without magic were top notch and she managed to get them to a crossing point, but that was it. Even a diamond dog could tell the situation was all but hopeless. If only there was a way to contact the others; let them know what was going on. She doubted it would change the outcome, but at least her friends wouldn’t be totally in the dark. Of course by now they will have realized that, in all likelihood, neither her or Applejack would be coming home.

I’m so sorry, Spike.

“Twilight!” A.J. shouted, shaking the unicorn vigorously, “snap out of it!”

“H-huh? Wh-what?” So caught up within her mental fencing, Twilight hadn’t even realized they’d ceased running; let alone coming to a halt in front of an old, derelict, two story building. Twilight caught glimpse of an old, hastily painted sign labeled “MESS HALL” as Applejack pulled her inside, slamming the rickety door shut.

“C’mon, Twi! This door ain’t gonna stop that float’n disaster!” A quick glance around the dank interior revealed a faint beam of light cascading from above. “We gotta get to higher ground! Head for tha’ stairs!”

The twosome had just begun their ascent when the wall of debris struck the building, blasting the door from its hinges; the impact throwing A.J. against the stair well with a loud ‘thud’. She groaned in pain; stumbling a bit. Twilight halted, returning to her friend in concern.

“Applejack, are you alright?” Twilight asked only to be answered with a firm hoof to the chest.

“Ah said get to higher ground!”

“I’m not leaving you to stagger around on the stairs, A.J.,” Twilight retorted, bracing against her friend, “because we’re in this together. If you stay behind, so do I. Now, on your hooves.”

“Thanks, Twi. “ A.J. responded, smiling.

“That’s what friends are for, A.J.”

Amid the sounds of shattering glass and tables overturning in the now flooded mess hall and the roar of the storm outside, the two soon found themselves upon the second tier balcony, partially covered with a rickety overhang that had somehow managed to survive the test of time as well as the storms’ high winds, and gazed down upon the devastation.

Fortunately, the majority of the boulders and trees had stayed clear of the building; choosing instead to follow the path of least resistance offered by the stream-turned-river. The only drawback now was the water’s escape path was now blocked with debris, leaving it now where to go but up. It wouldn’t be long before they would either be scrambling upon the roof to avoid being swept away, or take high risk chance of braving the waves and swim to the opposing shore.

Applejack wasn’t too concerned herself about the second option; winning blue ribbons at the county fair wasn’t all she was good at, having saved a few ponies at the family reunion who’d partaken a bit too much of homemade cider down by the pond. After all, earth ponies were natural born swimmers almost from birth. Unicorns excelled in this area, too, although their stamina wasn’t quite as high. Still, she wasn’t sure if Twilight-

Applejack’s body went rigid as an intense pain shot from the side of her temple to the nerve endings in her hooves. The severity of it caused the mare to hiss, sucking in ragged breaths of air for a few moments.

“Sorry A.J.” Twilight responded sheepishly, pulling her cloth-clad hoof away.

“What in tarnation was that Twilight?” Applejack questioned as the pain dulled. “Felt worse ‘n Granny Smith’s iodine.”

“Just some antiseptic I whipped up in case of emergency. That blow you took was starting to swell a little. Didn’t need an infection on top of everything else.”

In a few minutes time, Twilight had cleaned and dressed the would; giving her friend a light smile as she placed the remainder of the supplies into her saddle bags. The two sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the sounds around them. Twilight was the first to break the eeriness.

“I was just thinking...”

“ ‘Bout what?”

“About Spike... My family... Do you think Celestia will send somepony to look for us?”

Applejack gave her friend a firm smack on the back and thrust her chest forward. “Are ya’ kiddin’, Twi’? Ah’ll bet she knows all about this here predicament; probably sending the Wonderbolts ta save our skins.”

The unicorn gave a sad giggle. “Did you forget your nose scrunches up when you lie?”

“... Yeah.”

Maybe it was the excessive amounts of sugars she’d ingested; perhaps the recollection of these memories had pushed her too far. Maybe both. Whatever it was, Rainbow was positive of one thing: Cloud needed to relax or she’d start hyperventilating. Dash was all too familiar with the phase that followed.

“You need to stop this now before the hospital has to administer sedation,” Dash threatened; albeit, in a concerned tone. “I can’t stand to see you like this.” Cloud simple shook her head in response.

“Do you have any idea what it’s like, Dash? To watch helplessly as the best part of you life falls away from you; the blackness swallowing him until there’s nothing left? Being pulled back to safety from certain death when you’d rather be dying as well?”

Rainbow didn’t answer. She couldn’t for it involved a painful memory of her father that she’d refused to visit ever again. Eerie silence filtered between the two for a few minutes; the sound of Cloud’s breathing returning to normal punctuating the uneasiness. Two pairs of eyes locked on one another; one set begging for it all to stop, the other set wanting release from the pain of the past. Rainbow looked away, sighing in defeat.

“I remember slamming into a snow bank with Streak; the roar of the cavern as it collapsed before us. I knew, deep in my heart I knew, he was gone and nothing I could do could bring him back. But that knowledge didn’t dissuade my mind that shouldn’t join him.” She sighed; then quickly continued, refusing to give Dash the opportunity to intervene. “Looking up I saw the storm above us, taunting and mimicking. Thru the frigid conditions I could feel the electricity in the air; my thermal suit sending the prickling sensations into my fur. The build up of electrons started their journey throughout the canopy, looking for a place to set down. I refused to give it that chance, to steal from somepony else like it had me. I think you can figure out the rest, Dash.”

If it was possible for an equine’s bottom jaw to physically go any lower, Rainbow’s most certainly would have.

“Y-you deliberately flew into the lightning strike?!” Dash finally managed to spit out. “What in the name of Celestia were you thinking?!”

For the first time during the whole discussion, the older mare didn’t fight back, remaining docile. “I didn’t think, Dash. Not about my daughter, my family, my students. Nothing. I never even got to say good-bye to him.”

“And committing suicide was your solution; a tribute of your love to him?”

“What do you want me to say? That I enjoyed that decision ; living a full life with no regrets what-so-ever?”

Dash placed her head back between her hooves, rubbing the pads against her temples once more. “No,” she mumbled thru clenched teeth, closing her eyes tightly, only to snap them open once more, “but I would like to know you managed to survive. Not that I’m not glad you did,” she quickly added.

Cloud gave a warm smile in response, something she hadn’t done in a long time; the burden of her past finally starting to lift from her shoulders, allowing her access to a full life she’d wanted for oh so long. Once this page of her story was complete, she’d make it up to the one mare who helped her through it all.

“I woke up in the hospital some time after. I wasn’t really how I got there or how long I’d been out. Word came about that Streak, Spitfire, and myself had saved the colts life, but at the cost of Red’s. The family and supporters sent cards and flowers thanking us; wishing me a speedy recovery. Even the Canterlot Daily wanted interviews and testimonies. The family even wanted to speak personally with me. I declined. I couldn’t stomach it. Even though it never went public, Spitfire and Streak both knew the truth and how it affected me. They would always make up some story for the reporters; how I wasn’t fully recovered enough, or the experience was far too traumatic to bring up again, which the latter wasn’t too far off from reality. I couldn’t even spend more than a few minutes alone in my room with Cloudkicker before my parents would take her away. I would always suffer; seeing Red in her posture, her eyes. It went on like this for months, Dash. I wished for death so many times, to fall asleep and never wake again.”

“How did you ever recover from all this?” Dash questioned her old mentor. “I mean, sure, you were in bad shape when I would visit, but you always responded to me; giving me grief about how I was missing classes.”

Rainbow shook her head in bewilderment, not knowing quite how to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together.

“You helped me recover, Dash,” Cloud responded, reaching out and gently squeezing Dash’s hoof. “With out you... I can’t even begin to imagine what would have happened.”

“Me?” Dash questioned in surprise, pulling back from the contact slightly. “All I did was-“

”Visit me.” Cloud finished. “The same things the doctor’s, my family, and The Wonderbolt’s did. They never made any progress, but you... Coming every day, refusing to leave my side until I ate, telling those horrid jokes of your’s, even being the last pony to leave for the night to make sure I was okay. The very acts you committed were the embodiment of what Red was, and through those acts, helped me heal better that any medicine or magic ever could. How can you think you did nothing, Dash?”

“Then why did you leave Cloudsdale?”

Cloud sighed, “Your help was much appreciated, but the mental healing process was long and I needed time away from everything. That’s why I transferred to the Eastern division. Clear my head, you know?”

“I guess it makes sense,” Dash quipped, absently rubbing her hooves together, “but why didn’t you take Cloudkicker with you? And why did you wait until something bad happened to tell about your relationship with her?” Dash furrowed her brow again. “If I’d ‘a known she was you daughter, I’d-“

”You’d what?” Cloud questioned, coking her head; still with that same smile plastered upon her lips, “Ground her?” Dash curtly nodded at the last phrase. “You see, ‘Kicker had many friends in Cloudsdale, you being one of her favorites. It would be completely unfair for me to remove her from a comfortable environment at that age.” The elder mare eased back in her chair a little farther. “It’s not like I abandoned her to her own devices. I just moved us a few miles away to Cloud City; well within commute for both she and I. ‘Sides, she takes after Red and I.”

Rainbow coked an eyebrow. “Meaning?”

“Think about it Dash: I’m stubborn, hardheaded, and by the book. Red was carefree, full of life, and a ‘never give up’ attitude. A dangerous combination of personality traits. Grounding her would have mattered little once her decision was made.”

The walls of the room were assaulted with Dash’s wide-eyed stare once again. “S-she’d have disobeyed orders and gone into the storm? Alone and unaided?”

Cloud sighed once more, the final bits of tension from years of dammed up secrecy dissipating into nothingness. Reaching over she took both of Dash’s hooves within her own. “I owe my daughter’s life to you. It wasn’t your fault things happened like they did, I... I just directed my anger at you unjustly. Can you ever forgive me?”

*ahem* *cough, cough*

The two spun at the sudden intrusion of sound, unaware that an audience had been listening in. So much for privacy. A pair of Pegusi stood in the doorway, their bodies donned by a pair of blue and yellow striped flight suits and spouting a pair of the most awkward smiles either of the mares had seen. Dash and Cloud recognized them instantly.

“Spitfire? Soarin’?” The weather weary pair questioned in unison.

“Uh... H-hey...” Soarin’ responded sheepishly, avoiding eye contact briefly, “sorry to barge in like this...” Spitfire rolled her eyes, elbowing him in the side.

“What he’s trying to say is ‘I got hungry so I stumbled in here without knocking’,” she gave him another quick jab for kicks, “right, partner?”

“Who’s side are you on, Spitfire?” He retorted, mildly annoyed. “Besides, it’s not like we couldn’t hear them from the other – mmph frmmpf!”

Now it was Spitfire’s turn at embarrassment as she kept her hoof planted firmly against Sorin’s mouth; her cheeks tinting a light pink, noticeable from under the suit. There was another awkward moment of silence as she quickly composed herself and removed the hoof from his person.

“So, you were eves dropping, hmm?” Cloud asked, prodding the two a little more just for grins. She gave them both a half lidded smile. “I though The Wonderbolts were above such things as petty spying missions.” Even Dash had to stifle a laugh at that remark. Then it hit her.

“Wait,” the prismatic mare asked, “what are you two doing here?”

“Celestia sent us to check up on the team’s progress,” Spitfire responded. “Though it was Tartarus trying to break through the density without the other Bolts. It’s why it took us so long to get here; had to take the arch maneuver to avoid getting slammed into the cliff faces.”

“Well, I’m just glad you’re here.” Dash pushed away from the table and trotted up to them. “Now we can clean this storms’ clock and head for home. C’mon, Cloud, let’s finish this.”

But as Dash made a bee line for the exit, Sorin’ blocked her path. She looked at him, puzzled. She side stepped only to be halted this time by Spitfire. Now she was getting peeved.

“What the hay you guys,” Rainbow spat, starting to lose her cool again. “This isn’t funny.”

There was a thick atmosphere of hesitation between the two Wonderbolts, as if they’d done something wrong. Cloudbuster picked up on it, too, leaving the table to join at her former studen’s’ side. Then Spitfire smiled a strange smile. She looked, sad and uneasy.

“I’m sorry Dash, Cloud. I know your teams did the best they could given the unknown severity you faced, but the storm has proved too great for even the Princess’ to corral with their combined magic. It’s why neither Unicorns nor Alicorns could help as it renders their casting abilities useless. Only Pegusi and Earth ponies are unaffected by it.”

“Woah, woah, woah.. Hold on a sec here. Are you telling me that even the rulers of the sun and moon do anything? Why not? They’re the strongest in all of Equestria; the world.”

“The stronger the magic the wielder possesses, the more the storm counters it. It’s one of main reasons the weather teams were created; these storms are exceedingly rare – once in a decade, maybe – , but their devastation is almost total to places in their path.”

Cloud found it was now her jaw that needed lifting from the floor as this new data sunk in and, quite frankly, found herself getting furious. She spoke through clenched teeth, “Are you telling me that Celestia knew about this and didn’t bother to warn us? How many of us have been sacrificed for her little secret, hmm?”

“Yeah, I almost lost a friend out there today,” Dash quickly added, as both mares back the other two against the wall. “How many others has ‘our beloved Princess’ sent to an early grave?”

“Please calm down, both of you,” Soarin’ interjected, trying to keep the situation at hoof from boiling over. “It isn’t like that at all. Like Spitfire said, these storms are rare. By the time Celestia realized how bad things were, it was too late. She tried sending word but the storm counteracted the message.”

“He’s right. It’s why she sent us instead,” Spitfire nodded, feeling the tension ease slightly. “As it stands, both teams did an amazing job given such short notice. There simply wasn’t time to get word to other weather teams. Right now the storm is almost directly over-“

”...Ponyville,” Rainbow gasped, feeling an ice drop in her stomach. She’d been so caught up with Cloud and her daughter, she’d completely forgotten her duty to the rest of Equestria. Crest fallen she looked down, shoulders and ears drooping as if lead weights were cast upon them. Cloud placed a compassionate hoof upon her to ease her pain.

“Nopony is blaming you, Dash,” Cloud whispered softly. “You did all you could, we all did. None of us knew what to expect.”

Rainbow looked over at her mentor, then to the Wonderbolts before her, seeing the same tone upon all their faces: regret. Regret for things they could or, perhaps, could not have prevented. Her brow furrowed. Regret was not cool. Neither was giving up. She steeled herself, briskly removing Cloud’s hoof from her person and forced her way through the obstructing Pegusi pair, stopping once she had a clear view of the hallway waiting patiently just outside the doorway.

“There is nothing I could say that would repay all the damage I did you, Cloud. Nor the words to express to you two the failure I allowed as the lead weather mare on my district...” Soft hoof falls echoed upon the tile floor once more as the prismatic mare exited the room. “...But there is one thing I can do:,” she looked back at the trio, a gleam of desperation with her rose orbs, “a Sonic Rainboom.”

Author's Note

Was hoping to finish the last bit in this chapter, but will add one more.