Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 25 - Stirring Up a Storm

The time: One month after the recent "visit" by the Flim Flam Brothers.

Fluttershy flies around feeding her animals.  She blushes as a few of them show their appreciation as Rainbow Dash flies up.

R.Dash: Heya, Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: Good day, Rainbow Dash.

R.Dash: I need all the pegasi to come with me to Twilight's library.

Fluttershy: Does Cloudsdale need more water?

R.Dash: Yeah, it was an unusually rainy spring, so we need more water up there for the rest of the year.

Fluttershy: Is anypony coming down with the Feather Flu?

R.Dash: Nah, we checked everypony out and they're all clear.  You helped us out last time, Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: I know, but.....

R.Dash: Look, Pitstop'll be there and so will I, actually helping make the tornado, OK?  We'll fly right by you.

Fluttershy: *smiles and hugs Rainbow Dash*  Thanks, Rainbow.  *Rainbow returns the hug*  You're a great friend.

R.Dash: Aw, shucks, just wanna make sure you feel comfortable - well, as comfortable as possible since.....

Fluttershy: Since?

R.Dash: Well, Spitfire was all alone last time we did this.  THIS time, ALL the Wonderbolts AND Meteor Strike will be watching.  Are you sure you're gonna be able to hold it together?

Fluttershy: I-I-I think so.....

R.Dash: *reassuring smile* Look, *hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder as the Bearer of Kindness looks at her* you were the MVP of last time's twister.  I have faith in you, OK?  You've been getting faster, right?

Fluttershy: *nodding* Yeah?

R.Dash: And you sure impressed me AND Pitstop with your speed against Toxion, right?

Fluttershy: *slight proud smile* Yeah.

R.Dash: *smile* That's the sort of thing I wanna see from you, Fluttershy.  Now, c'mon, I got the testing equipment all set up.  *Fluttershy nods and the two pegasi trot off to the arena* You SHOULD be able to hit 10 Wingpower now, right?

Fluttershy: I think so.

Rainbow Dash nods and the two pegasi take off.

*INTRO SEQUENCE*

Pegasi from all over Ponyville were gathered at the arena.  Each pegasus flew at an anemometer designed to measure their Wingpower.  Rainbow Dash set the stage for the other pegasi with an astounding reading of.....

T.Sparkle: !!!! 22 WINGPOWER!

The pegasi were amazed, clapping the cyan mare.  Pitstop was next up, her blazing speed on display as she generated.....

T.Sparkle: 21.7 WINGPOWER!

The two Wonderbolts laugh, then fly above the crowd, making a motion like they're throwing dice downwards at the ground three times, then flying up a bit more and exchanging a reverse high-hoof.  Virtuna gasps!

Virtuna: HEY!!  That's Manehattan-style, girls!

R.Dash (As she and Pitstop fly down to Virtuna): What?

Virtuna: That little thing you two did, the triple-fist-pump and the backhanded-high-hoof.

Pitstop: Really, luv?  I saw WarpSpeed and Thunderbolt do the same thing once.

Virtuna: I'll betcha at least one of them was from Manehattan.

R.Dash: Funny you should say that since.....

R.Dash and Pitstop: They're BOTH from Manehattan!

Rainbow Dash, Pitstop and Virtuna laugh as other pegasi fly at the anemometer.  Then it was Fluttershy's turn.  The yellow pegasus takes a deep breath and flies her best at the anemometer.  Twilight Sparkle, Spike and Virtuna look on as the results come in.....

T.Sparkle: *impressed expression* 8 Wingpower.  Not bad, Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: *nod* I'll take it - for a baseline.

R.Dash: HAHA!  There ya go!

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy high-wing.

Pitstop: Ya know, luv, that was only one less than MY first crack at it.

Fluttershy: !!  Really?!

Pitstop: I wasn't NATURALLY as fast as I am, I had ta work at it.

Fluttershy: Aw, shucks, Pitstop, this ISN'T my first go at it.

Pitstop: It's NOT?

Fluttershy: *nod*  Yeah.  The VERY first time I did that, I was, well, *Rainbow Dash smirks and shakes her head at Fluttershy's politically-correct method of describing her own performance* somewhat underpowered.

Spike: SOMEwhat underpowered?!  Fluttershy, you were PATHETIC!

R.Dash, Fluttershy, Pitstop and T.Sparkle: SPIKE!!!

Spike: What?! Her first effort was 0.5 Wingpower!

Pitstop: *looks at Fluttershy in shock* And ye raised it to a score just now of 8?!  *She swings her head at Rainbow Dash*  Watch yer flank, *points a hoof at an instantly-blushing Fluttershy* she's coming up behind ye!

All three pegasi laugh, soon joined by Twilight Sparkle, much to Spike's chagrin.  After the tryout, Fluttershy flew to the Everfree Forest and landed in a clearing.  She hummed the first line of the "My Little Pony" theme and all kinds of animals came to her, birds, bunnies, even a timber wolf!

Fluttershy: OK, tomorrow is an emergency water delivery to Cloudsdale, rainy spring and all.  Now, *pulls an anemometer out of her saddlebag* this is an ane..... ane..... wind-speed-meter-thing.....  *giggle and blush*  It measures wind speed and Wingpower, and I gotta get it to at least a 10.0.  *The animals growl and murr, knowing it's a daunting task, but then.....*  I *blush!* already got it to 8.0.

The animals murr, impressed, as some bunnies, birds and even the timber wolf hugs Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: Aw, thanks. Now, I flew my fastest when I'm trying to save my little friends, and *shrinks a bit and blushes a lot* I even did my own "Rainboom" when I battled Toxion.  Seeing as Toxion's not here anymore, here's what we need to do: *turns to the timber wolf* YOU throw the critters up in the air and I'll fly by the ane..... ane..... *points to the anemometer* THIS thing as I go to save them.  OK?

All the animals nod, then get into position.  The timber wolf throws one of the squirrels up high, making Fluttershy dash by the anemometer and catch it!  The pegasus checks the meter.

Fluttershy: 8.4.

The timber wolf nods, then throws a rabbit up in the air.  Fluttershy catches it and checks the meter again.

Fluttershy: Getting there, 8.7 that time.

The birds chirp a chorus at Fluttershy's improvement, spurning the determined pegasus on.  She kept it up the rest of the day and into the night, attracting Equestria's nighttime protector, Nightmare Moon.

Fluttershy (wiped out): Nine point..... s-s-seven..... almost-there.....

The timber wolf whimpers a bit, then throws Angel Bunny!  That prompts Fluttershy to fly her absolute fastest past the anemometer.  Nightmare Moon had a front-row seat as Fluttershy blazed past the anemometer, seeing the needle go into the green just a teeny-bit, but more importantly, Fluttershy slowly landing on the ground.  Nightmare Moon caught Fluttershy in a gentle night breeze, laying her and Angel Bunny on a tuft of moss, the rabbit pointing at the display on the anemometer.  Nightmare Moon blinks, then looks, the moon shining a bit brighter as she smiled.

N.Moon: 10.2.

Nightmare Moon murrs as she trots to Fluttershy, gently picking up the yellow mare.  Angel Bunny carefully picks up the anemometer and carries it to Fluttershy's cottage after Nightmare Moon.  The black alicorn lays Fluttershy in her own bed, Angel Bunny putting the anemometer on a shelf within sight of the bed.

N.Moon: thanks, angel.

The bunny nods, heading to his room to rest.  Nightmare Moon smiles, heading off to do her nighttime duties.  The next morning, Fluttershy woke up and saw the anemometer.  Her face lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw the reading.

Fluttershy: Oh, MY!!  I DID IT!! OH!

Fluttershy zipped off to the reservoir were the tornado was to happen.  There, the Wonderbolts did a small air display before landing.

R.Dash: *GRIN!*  Spitfire, Soarin, Meteor Strike!  SO glad you three could make it!

Spitfire: Well, well. My favorite gutsy pony.

The two Wonderbolts hug, then Rainbow Dash spots Illusion!

R.Dash: Illusion?!

The large changeling nods as the ChangeWings land.

Spitfire: They insisted on being here.

R.Dash: COOL!

JetStream: Hello, Rainbow.

R.Dash: Hey there, JetStream.  Ready to watch us make history?

JetStream: *nod and chuckle* Yeah!

Just then.....

Fluttershy: RAINBOW DASH!!

All the airshowponies look at the speeding pegasus flying to Rainbow Dash, carrying the anemometer without the fan on top of it.

Fluttershy: LOOKIT! LOOKIT!!

R.Dash: ......!!! 10.2!!

Rainbow Dash laughs and the two pegasi hug up.

R.Dash: I KNEW ya had it!

The two giggle, then Fluttershy gasps as she spots the ChangeWings.

Fluttershy: Y-y-you said the W-w-wonderbolts were here, but *points a nervous hoof at the ChangeWings* (squeaky): them?

JetStream (gently): Fluttershy, we insisted on seeing this, Spitfire spoke highly of you and Rainbow, I hope we're not gonna shake your confidence TOO much.

R.Dash: Yeah, besides, all they are are just a few more changelings. It'll be OK, OK?

Fluttershy: I hope you're right.

JetStream and Illusion exchange glances, then notice how gentle Rainbow Dash was talking to her friend and smile.

Spitfire: Mnemonic device.

Illusion: *nod* Used a few of those myself.

The two air performers get in a special box to watch the tornado.  Rainbow Dash was giving the pegasi a final pep talk.

R.Dash: OK, we've got a bit more of a special section watching us.  The ChangeWings - the Transformian equalivent of the Wonderbolts - are also in attendance.  *Several pegasi look at the changelings, JetStream waving back*  But don't let them distract you from your mission: Get that water to Cloudsdale and break that record!  Are you ready?

Pegasi: Yeah!

R.Dash: I said, ARE YOU READY!?

Pegasi: YEAH!!!

R.Dash: Then let's DO IT!!!

The pegasi cheer as they took their positions, wearing smaller individual Wingpower meters.  Fluttershy blinks a bit as she spots one of her bullies from flight camp: A chocolate-brown pegasus with a barbell as his cutie mark.  She shook it off, ready to go.  At the sound of the horn, all the pegasi were airbourne, flying in a circle as they attempted to suck the water up.  Twilight Sparkle kept tabs on the huge anemometer from "Hurricane Fluttershy", a mark at 911 Wingpower, 1 Wingpower more than Fillydelphia's record.

T.Sparkle: 100 Wingpower!  200!  500 Wingpower!

Rainbow Dash, Pitstop and Fluttershy flew in a close pack, smiling at each other and spurning each other on.  The two Wonderbolts flew higher up to check on other ponies, then the brown male bodychecks Fluttershy right out of the tornado!

Brown Pegasus M: Sorry, Klutzershy!

As he laughs, Fluttershy slammed to the ground, skillfully keeping her wings from impacting, but picking up abrasions on her sides!  She struggles to get up, then thought about last night and how she tried so hard to get to 10.0 Wingpower.  Then, Nightmare Moon appeared, her very prescence igniting a fire in her!  The normally-meek pegasus growled as she looked at the tornado, spreading her wings!

Fluttershy: Oh, no, YOU DIDN'T!

With a grunt, Fluttershy lifted off again, bringing the ChangeWings and Wonderbolts to their hooves!  The yellow pegasus flew up higher and higher, faster and faster!

T.Sparkle: Oh, my sweet Celestia!  850!  900!  Nine-!

BOOM!!!!!  Everypony looked up to see the same "Sonic Butterboom" Fluttershy produced when she beat Toxion!  The brown pegasus who checked her out of the tornado gasped in total shock, nearly spinning out of the bottom.  JetStream had a hoof over his mouth and Spitfire was almost moved to tears at the spectacle.  Twilight Sparkle looked at the meter and gasped, seeing the record smashed, but more importantly, the needle in the quadruple digits!

T.Sparkle: 1045!  1075!  1100 WINGPOWER!!!

At that, a huge volume of water flew out of the reservoir and up to Cloudsdale, bringing new meaning to "My cup runneth over"!  In fact, they had enough water in Cloudsdale to put in several reserve tanks for emergencies!  The ponies all went nuts as the pegasi land one after the other - all but Fluttershy who was still flying in a fast circle, but was gradually slowing down.  Nightmare Moon blinks, then flies up to catch the faltering Fluttershy.

N.Moon: *catches Fluttershy on her back*  Gotcha!

The black alicorn slowly lands near Rainbow Dash and Pitstop.

R.Dash and Pitstop: Fluttershy!

Fluttershy lays on the ground after Nightmare Moon crouches down, gasping with the effort of flying so fast.  Rainbow Dash took notice of Fluttershy's injuries.

R.Dash: Who did this?

Fluttershy pointed out the perpetraitor and Rainbow Dash growled at him.

R.Dash: You just don't know when to lay offa her, do ya?!  Tell me, do YOU have the GUTS to take on one of Ruinous' Elements of Darkness?!  'Cause that's what Fluttershy did!!  I don't ever wanna see your sorry flank again!  DO... YOU... HEAR-ME?!?!

The bully snorts and trots off, Rainbow Dash heading back to the other pegasi, checking their Wingpower meters.  After exchanging notes with Pitstop, Rainbow Dash checks the meter on Fluttershy.  The cyan mare summons the cobalt mare and the two Wonderbolts look on in shock as Twilight Sparkle trots over.

T.Sparkle: What?

Rainbow Dash shows Fluttershy's Wingpower meter to Twilight Sparkle.  The lavender mare looks at her incredulously.

T.Sparkle: Are you serious?

Both Wonderbolts nod.  Then, Rainbow Dash addresses the pegasi.

R.Dash: OK, guys, that was the BEST tornado I ever saw!  First and foremost, mission WAAAAAAAY more than accomplished!  Twilight?

T.Sparkle: All of you combined for a tornado with 1,106 Wingpower!

The pegasi cheered and the Wonderbolts and ChangeWings applauded.  After a while, Rainbow Dash signalled for calm.

R.Dash: OK, now this time I had you all wear *holds her Wingpower meter up* these.  They measured your individual contributions to this tornado - and all tornadoes we need in the future.  Now, we have the top three fliers in terms of Wingpower here.  In 3rd place, Pitstop generated 25.7 Wingpower!

The ponies cheer Pitstop's performance, the Bearer of Humility taking a well-deserved bow.

Pitstop: Not bad for me first trip up.

R.Dash: That was your FIRST tornado?!

Pitstop: Trottingham never got called upon to send water to Cloudsdale.

R.Dash: *nod*  In 2nd place..... Yours truly, with 29.5 Wingpower!

Ponies cheer for one second, then.....

Illusion: HEY!  You NEVER take second!

M.Strike: He's right!  Who the hay could you have lost to to make you actually PROUD to lose?!

Rainbow Dash looked as Nightmare Moon brought Fluttershy over to her.

Illusion and M.Strike: *exchange a shocked look* NIGHTMARE MOON?!

Rainbow Dash smirked at the two former airshowponies, then showed Twilight Sparkle's report to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: *looks at the report, then Rainbow Dash* 33?

Illusion and M.Strike: She did WHAT?

Illusion and Meteor Strike exchanged shocked looks, then trot over.  Twilight Sparkle showed the two legends the report.

Spitfire: What is it?  *runs over*  What-is-it?!

Illusion shows the report to Spitfire.

Spitfire: Oh, SU-NAP!

Spitfire looked at Fluttershy, an impressed look on her face.

Spitfire: Do you know what MY Wingpower was during the.....  *looks at Rainbow Dash*  First?  *Rainbow Dash shakes her head*  Second?  *Rainbow Dash nods*  .....the second tornado I made to send water up to Cloudsdale?  *Fluttershy shakes her head*  28.8.

Fluttershy: Really?

Spitfire: Fluttershy, you have a LOT of hidden flying talent.  I'm just shocked you don't show it off often.

Fluttershy: I guess I needed more confidence, *smiles at Nightmare Moon* and a great motivator.

N.Moon: *blush* M-me?

Fluttershy: If you didn't show up, I might not have gotten back in that tornado after that mean pony knocked me out.  Then I'd've never guessed I was capable of producing 33 Wingpower and making a Sonic Butterflyboom.  *Rainbow Dash snickers a bit and Fluttershy giggles back, then she hugs Nightmare Moon around the neck*  I owe my success to you, Nightmare Moon.

N.Moon: Aw, Fluttershy!

The two embraced, ponies around them clapping.

TO BE CONTINUED