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

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.