Heart of the storm

by Sebbaa

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Main 6, Original Character, Cutie Mark Crusaders
Length: 25841

The Crusaders get saved by a pegasus. He is hurt and recoveres in ponyville. Will he find friends?

The Cutie Mark Crusaders thought weather to be engineered by pegasi, wind and rain only occur on schedule. That there might be more to it than this age old believe they only find out when they get caught in an unscheduled storm themselves. By chance they get saved by a young pegasus, but he is hurt in the process.
While he recovers from his wounds in Ponyville, danger approaches as ancient spirits awake.
It is up to the Mane Six and the Crusaders to save the day. Can a certain gray maned pegasus help? Or will his secrets lead to death and destruction?

Published 2012-01-08 20:11:23 UTC
Last updated 2012-01-22 11:11:19 UTC

If anything can go wrong, it will.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, its characters, setting, and story all belong to Hasbro, Lauren Faust, and present directors and artists. If not for them, this story would not exist. If you enjoy this story, please support the original show.

Heart of the Storm

by Sebbaa

If anything can go wrong, it will.
“Are you sure about this Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle asked reluctantly. “I have never even heard of a paragliding cutie mark!”

“Nether have I, but my buddy Longstride says it's super awesome!” the orange pegasus filly answered with an eager grin.
“On three” she exclaimed and made herself ready to start. The other two crusaders exchanged unsure glances, but followed suit.
“Three!”

With that Scootaloo galloped down a gentle slope that inevitably ended in a sheer cliff. Her friends were dragged along for the ride. They were all strapped to the rigging of a big rainbow-colored paraglider and there was no stopping the fuchsia maned pegasus. Luckily the glide took to the air and produced enough uplift by the time they ran out of runway.

Apple Bloom had closed her eyes when she had felt the ground give away and was holding on for dear life, but after a few moment of flight, she heard Sweetie Belle gasp in awe.
“Wow! I can see our headquarters from here. And look, there is your house over there Apple Bloom!”

Slowly the young earth pony pried her eyes open. When she got the first glimpse of them flying and not burning and crashing to the ground, she eagerly looked around. They were high up in the sky, gliding down from a small mountain slope near their HQ at Sweet Apple Acres. The sight was astonishing. She could see miles and miles. Hilly farm and woodland dominated the scenery this side of Ponyville, large part of which were apple orchards.

She looked at her friends. Sweetie Belle was watching the scene yaw agape, while Scootaloo was steering the para with her hooves, giving them some extra boost with her small wings.
“I told you it would be awesome!” she exclaimed grinning widely. Tugging one of the steering lines, she pulled them into a wide left turn.

With this they were sure to finally get their cutie marks. Well at least one of them, they would surely not all get the same cutie mark now, would they? But before any of them could check, disaster struck once again.

“Is there a storm scheduled today?” Sweetie Belle asked worried, pointing her hoof at a big dark cloud, it hung right in the direction they were headed. The cloud rose and grew as they watched.

“Not that I know of.” Scootaloo answered hesitant.

Apple Bloom was shading her eyes with her hoof and looked intently.
“I see no pegasi. The cloud is moving on it's own!” she announced surprised.
The trio stared dumbstruck at the growing Storm, when they realized that something was very wrong.

“We better turn and land immediately!” Scootaloo declared and pulled at the steering. The para glider leaned into a sharp turn and began descending. But it was too late. As the Storm grew even further, the wind picked up and took hold of the three fillies in their glider. They shrieked in terror as they got blown into the its core.

The clouds blocked out the sun, rain poured upon them and gusts of wind whirled the glider around violently. By know it was completely out of control and the crusaders could do nothing but hold onto each other for dear life.

All of a sudden lightning flashed and a roar of deafening thunder shook them to their very bones. They stared in wide-eyed terror at a pair of giant wings made out of lighting. They flashed brightly right in the middle of the storm. It was way too close for comfort.

“Thu... Thun... THUNDERBIRD!” Apple Bloom yelled in alarm. She was certain the wings belonged to a malign spirit of storms. Granny Smith had told her stories about them. Giant ghostly birds, who could control wind and lightning. They brought death and destruction upon ponykind. She had never believed the stories to be true, until now.

“Applejack, Rainbow Dash, ANYPONY! HELP!” the last word they all screamed in union.

No longer able to withstand the storms onslaught, several cords of the glider tore. It lost it's structure. Unable to keep afloat, it started plummeting to the ground. The three pony now all entangled in it.
They screamed in terror and waved their legs in panic. But not even the young pegasus was able to fly. Her wings were yet to small and weak to support her weight.

Out of nowhere a blue pony crashed into them and managed to hold onto the panicked fillies with his fore legs. He got hit by hooves and wings flaying widely, but he did not let go.
“Stop struggling and hold onto me!” he yelled at them.
Instinctively they stopped and grabbed onto his legs and body as hard as they could. They clamped their eyes shut.

He spread his wings and tried to stabilize their wild descent. But alas, while his wings were big, he was still no fully grown pony and did not have the strength to carry three fillies at once. The rain, howling winds and turbulence didn't make it any easier. He barely managed to slow down their descent.

The ground came nearer and nearer. With one last effort he pumped his wings using all his remaining strength. Then he rolled onto his back and curled up into a ball, shielding the three fillies with his body.

With a splash they hit the soaked muddy ground. Sliding and tumbling several meters. Neither of them had the power to hold on. They were separated, thrown all over the place. Finally they all came to a dead stop.

Apple Bloom slowly rose to her hooves, shaking miserably. She was bruised, tired, cold and covered in mud and grass, but otherwise unharmed.
“Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo? You OK?” she inquired worried.
When she looked around, she found her two friends just gaining their hooves. They untangled themselves from the remains of the glider, none of them seemed seriously injured.

“Yea.” the orange pegasus answered, “we sure got lucky this time. If that pony had not come out of the blue, we would be flat as pancakes now.”

“Right...” remarked Sweetie Belle, stretching the I. She shook her head to clear it of the gruesome image. Then made a mental note to never again fly in any contraption Scootaloo might come up with.

“Where is he anyway?” the little unicorn asked and glanced around the clearing they had crashed on.

Sure enough the sky blue pegasus lay only a few meters away, sprawled out on his back and unmoving. Sweetie Belle gasped and galloped over to him. Her friends followed close behind.

They came to a halt, the three of them gathered around the stranger who had come to their aid. He was still a colt who could not yet have finished flight school. His coat was of sky blue color, his unruly mane and tail dark gray. His cutie mark showed a black cloud which shot out a single bolt of yellow lightning. Yet most noticeable were his wings. They were unusually large, certainly too big for his not yet fully grown body.

Hesitant Scootaloo poked him in the side, hoping he was still alive.
“Are you OK?” she asked worried.
Slowly he opened his eyes, revealing them to be red.
With great effort he lifted his head and looked at the worried faces of the three fillies.
“You are alright!” he said, his voice raw and strained by pain.
“I'm glad.” he managed to press out, before darkness took him and his head sank back to the mud.

Somewhere, in a remote mountain range high up north, where the snow never melts. Ancient spirits stirred in their slumber. After centuries of sleep they had been called again. Bound by powerful magic, they had to head the call. A rumbling thunder shook the mountains, marking their awakening.

Authors notes: I hope you have at least half as much fun reading this story, as I had writing it. This story is a lot of firsts for me. First story written in English since school, first fan fiction, first FIM fan fiction. It is the longest story I have written yet too. I am not a native English speaker, so if you find any errors or mistakes, please point them out to me. I would appreciate your help.
Thanks for reading.

Awaking at Sweet Apple Acres

Awaking at Sweet Apple Acres
The first thing he noticed was, that he was laying in a warm and comfortable bed. Then came back his sense of smell. The odor of fresh bedsheets, candles and apples filled his nostrils, as he took a deep breath. He had a metallic taste in his mouth and boy was he thirsty!

Soon enough he was beginning to hear voices. There had to be at least two mares in the room with him, talking in low voices as not to disturb anypony. He tried to pick himself up, but that only managed to send a wave of pain through his body. He groaned involuntary and sank back onto the sheets.

“Look! I think he's coming to.” one of the voices said. Somepony put a hoof onto his bed and leaned over him.
“Take it easy pal, you had quite the rough landing.” a mare with a rasp voice told him.

Slowly he forced his eyes open. Had his eyelids always been this heavy? The light blinded him for a second, though there were only a few candles lit in the room. His vision was all blurry, and he had to blink several times, before he could make out anything.
A young mare with a azure coat and an unruly, rainbow colored mane stood over him, smiling. That was the second last sight he had expected, next to Princess Celestia herself.

“What?! Rainbow Dash?” he asked surprised, his voice was cracking, his throat felt raw and hot.
“Yea. That's me. Rainbow Dash, best flier in all of Equestria” the rainbow maned mare introduced herself proudly.
The colt had to smile at that and coughed up a chuckle.

“Oh wow! I saw you at last Best Young Flier competition. You were amazing!” he explained.
That made the pegasus mare grin widely. She turned her head a little and shook her mane with a hoof.
“Oh yea?! What part of my performance do you think was the most amazing?” she asked lofty.

Before he could answer, an orange earth pony grabbed her rainbow tail in her muzzle and yanked her away.
“Rainbow Dash, why don't you give him some space and led Fluttershy here take a look at him?” she asked with a broad accent and made the too of them make room for a third pony, that had not spoken as of yet.

A butter yellow pegasus mare with long pink mane came into his view. She smiled warmly.
“Oh, you are finally awake. I’m so glad! How do you feel?” she said with the sweetest little voice.
“Thirsty.” he managed to answer, licking his crisp, dry lips.

“I thought you'd be. Have some water.” she replied an took a cup of water from a nearby table.
He tried to raise his head, but obviously had trouble doing so.

“Come. Let me help you.” Fluttershy offered. She put one hoof behind his head and helped him raise it. Carefully she put the the water cup to his lips.

“Now drink slowly. Don't rush or you might choke .” she told him. He obeyed and took only a small sip. The water bit at his crisp lips and raw throat at first, but it felt good to finally quench his thirst. Soon he had finished the whole cup.
“More.” he pleaded weakly and the entire process was repeated.

After his second cup he thanked the kind mare, who let him sink back to the pillow and put the cup away. Already he felt a lot better. He was still dizzy, confused and his body hurt almost all over, but he didn't feel as weak and sick, as he had before.

“Where am I? What happened?” he finally managed to ask, turning his head slightly to look at the three mares standing beside his bed.

The three looked at each other, finally it was Applejack who spoke up first: “You are at my house in Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash here found you passed out near the farm.”

The light blue mare continued the story: “Yea, I was on my way to take a look at that strange storm that had come out of nowhere, when I heard somepony calling for help. It were the Cutie Mark Crusaders... eh, you know, Applejacks here little sister and her two friends.” She explained and pointed a hoof at the orange mare.

The blue Colts eyes opened in terror and he shot up in bed.
“The three fillies!” he exclaimed. It came all back to him now. The Storm, the calls for help, the falling fillies and the crash. For a moment he even forgot the pain his battered body was in.
“Are they OK? Where are they?!” he demanded frantic.

“Oh wow, take it easy there sugar cube. They are fine. And I gather it is thanks to you.” Applejack answered and raising of hoof.
“They were so worried about you, they didn't want to leave your bedside. But they were muddied and exhausted. So I washed them up and put them in bed. They were so tired, they fell asleep right away. They are sleeping in the next room.” Fluttershy explained patiently, while pushing the injured pegasus back into his bed. Her touch was gentle, yet resolute. When the colt heard that the fillies were alright he relaxed and didn't struggle.

“Anyway,” Rainbow Dash said and continued her tale, “The three were standing around you laying in a pool of mud. They told me you got hurt when you saved them from crashing with a para glider. So I carried you to the nearest place and got Fluttershy here to patch you up.” She pointed her hoof at Fluttershy, when she introduced her yellow friend.

Well that explained how he got there, but he was still confused and had trouble forming coherent thoughts. Still there was something he needed to know. He looked at Fluttershy.

“So.. eh, how bad am I?” he asked, trying not to sound worried.
“Oh. You'll be fine. Your just at tidsy bitsy hurtsy, but you'll get back on your hooves in no time.” the yellow pegasus answered twee.

The blue colt made an annoyed face. “Please miss Fluttershy. I'm not a foal. Tell me how bad am hurt. I’m a big pony, I can take it.” he insisted trying to sound very serious.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack grinned amused. Foals, always trying to be more adult then they had to. But Fluttershy blushed, when she realized she had belittled the blue pegasus. She cleared her throat shyly, before she began to talk again. She tried to sound professional: ”You had dislocated your left shoulder and I had to reset it. You have broken a few feathers and strained your flight muscles. Furthermore you are suffering a mild concussion. Other than that only minor scrapes and bruises.”

With her diagnosis done she fell back to her usual demeanor and smiled warmly. “Nothing a few days rest wont cure. You'll be better in no time.” she assured him.

He relaxed visibly when he heard that. That crash could have gone very ugly very easily. Now that his curiosity was stilled, he felt dead tired. He yawned widely.

“Oh, let me thank you all. I don't know how I can ever repay your kindness.” he said with half close eyes and a faint smile.
Applejack waved it off. “Don't sweat it sugar cube.” she said. “You have saved the life of my little sister Apple Bloom! And in my eyes, that makes your part of the family.”

Somehow this remark didn't sit right with him. Instead of proud, he felt guilty. But he was far to tired to follow that thought right now.

“So just relax and don't worry about a thing, my dear... ahh... what is your name anyway?” the orange earth pony asked, when she finished her speech.
“Stormheart.” the gray maned colt answered. Now that he thought about it, there had been no time to formally introduce himself.
“My name is Stormheart. Nice to meet... you....” he managed to say before his eyes closed and he fell asleep.

High up north the spirits had woken. They gathered as they had not done in any living ponies memory. All of them gathered and became a swarm.

You always find something in the place you least expect it.

You always find something in the place you least expect it.
When he woke up an orange pegasus filly was sitting on his bed, watching his face.
“Uh! You are awake!” she noticed and sprang from the bed. “He is awake!” she shouted and galloped out of the room. “Sweetie Belle, Applebloom! He woke up!” he heard her yell when her hoofsteps faded in the hall. The event left him startled and wide awake. He sat upright and gritted his teeth when his body complained about the sudden movement with biting pain. How long had she been sitting there? Where was he? He looked around dumbstruck and blinked a few times.

It was day outside and Celestias sun was shining brightly through the rooms window. He was in a practically furnished bedroom with wooden furniture, many of which were decorated with carvings of apples. Other than the bed there was a large wardrobe, a simple chair and a small table in the room.

Slowly memory came back to him. The storm, the fillies, the crash, than waking up to find the best flier in all of Equestria and this really nice mare, who had taken care of him, at his bed. The later memory brought up a strange sensation in his stomach he could not place.

Before he could elaborate any further, three young fillies stampeded into the room. Each was carrying a tablet with something to eat in it's muzzle. Without pause they jumped on the bed and put the goods on the blanked around him. Even with all four of them and the food on it, there was still room on the bed.
“Good morning Stormheart!” Scootaloo beamed.
“We made you breakfast.” Sweetie Belle added.
“Thanks for saving our hide.” Apple Bloom finished.
For a moment the blue pegasus could do nothing but stare at each of the three in turn, than at the food, than again at the three.
“Ohm... you're welcome?!” he finally brought forth with a crooked smile.
The three fillies grinned widely and looked at him expectantly.

The food. It dawned the colt. They had probably made it themselves and wanted to see if he liked it.
He took another look at the breakfast they had made for him. There was a bowl full of steaming greyish black goo which had little bubbles blasting on it's surface and smelled like charcoal. Second was a glass with a substance of similar color and smell but less gooey. And last was a plate with too fried eggs and some parsley garnish, that was placed just perfect.

He blinked at the three fillies, who still had the same look an their face, than at the food, than again at the fillies.
“What is this?” he finally asked and pointed at the bowl.
“Toast!” Sweetie Belle answered happily.
“And that?” he said and pointed at the glass.
“Orange juice.” Apple Bloom informed him and raised an eyebrow.
“Right.” he stated and raised both his eyebrows. He was fairly certain he could not eat ether toast nor orange juice and live. Yet he did not want to disappoint the fillies, who obviously had put much effort into this to give him their thanks. There had to be a way out of this dilemma.

“Eh, could you do me a favor?” he asked at last. The three fillies leaned forward as one and listened intently. He took that as a yes.
“You know I always eat some fresh apples with my breakfast.” he told them. Apple Bloom rushed of immediately.
“And some hay.” he added and Scootaloo dashed out of the room.
“And some.....water?” he finished with a forced smile, cold sweat was forming on his forehead. Sweetie Belle looked at him skeptical for a second, then she too was gone.
He let out the breath he had been holding and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hoof.
He really hoped they would manage to at least get food, they did not have to prepare, without burning it. The trick would not work a second time.

He quickly got out of bed, ignoring his protesting foreleg. In a hurry he dumped the contents of glass and bowl out of the window and crawled back under the blanked. Before the Cutie Mark Crusaders got back he managed to dump the eggs, garnish and all, into his muzzle and chomp down in gusto. At least the eggs were good.

In surprising union the three friends came back and brought the things he had asked for. To his relieve, nothing was charred.
“Thank you!” he said with a honest smile and continued his breakfast. He started with the hay and saved the apples for last. And by Celestias flowing mane was he hungry!

The three fillies had settled around him on the bed and watched him eat happily. It was Scootaloo who finally raised her voice.
“So Stormheart, your are not from Ponyville are you? I have never seen you around.” she said.
“No. I'm 'rom Clouschdale.” he answered his muzzle full of hay. Noticing, that he was barely understandable this way, he quickly swallowed.
“Hey, you already know my name, how about telling me yours.” he suggested, pointing a hoof at the three.
They didn't hesitate and introduced themselves in turn, while Stormheart quickly finished his breakfast.

His strength renewed he crawled out of bed again.
“Now I really need to stretch my wings. How long did I sleep anyway?” he said and tried to do so. Only then did he notice, that one of his wings was strapped to his body with bandages and it was rather painful to move it around. He groaned.
“Make that stretch one of my wings.” he joked between gritted teeth.

The three crusaders winced when they saw this and the rest of his battered body, feeling for him. He was no sight to behold, having his shoulder and wing bandaged and missing several feathers of the other one. When the pegasus noticed their discomfort, he put on a brave face.
“Oh please. This is nothing! I had much worse, after I got into a fight with a griffon that one time.” he told them while leaving the room. He was trying not to limb, or at least not limb much.

Just as he had hoped, that put their mind of his wounds. It was Scootaloo who asked him about that story, when they were descending the stairs.

“It's not really a good story.” he admitted, scratching his neck. But one look told him, they wanted to hear it anyway.
“It was when I was in first year of flight school. I was not much older than the three of you are. At that time I was a real hothead. So I came across this young griffon, who was bloating about himself and bullying everypony who did not jump at his whim. I did not. Don't remember what it was about any more, but we ended up battling it out hoof to claw.”

“How did you beat him?” Scootaloo asked skeptical, when he did not continue his story right away.
“You kidding? He asked with a chuckle.
“I got my flank kicked! The teachers had to tear him off me and I was out for three weeks!” he admitted amused.
“When I got back too school he was gone though. Heard they kicked him out.” he told them shrugging with his one good wing.
“Never get into a fight with a griffon.” he advised gravely, shaking his head.

By now they had reached the kitchen and Stormheart was helping the little fillies stacking the platters he had used into the sink. They were just done, when a massive red earth pony, who barely fit through the door, entered the kitchen. Stormhearts eyes grew big when he looked up to Big Macintosh.
“Wow! Your are big.” he said in awe.
“Eyeup?” was the only response Bigmac made.
The blue pegasus quickly shook his head to clear it and remembered his manners.
“Sorry....eh Hello! My name is Stormheart. I kinda crashed here yesterday.” he said as formal greeting.
The last remark made the big earth pony chuckle. He walked into the kitchen and greeted the three fillies with a nod.
“Howdy. I'm Big Macintosh, call me Bigmac. Applejack told me everything. Guess I owe you a thank for saving my little sister Apple Bloom and her friends.” he explained and ruffled Apple Blooms head with his hoof when he mentioned her.
The young pegasus looked away and waved it off.
“It was nothing really. Anypony would have done the same in my stead.” he explained bashful.
“Aye-up!?” Bigmac remarked but led it slide.

The kitchen became kinda crowded, when Applejack entered too.
“Howdy everypony.” she greeted cheerfully when she did.
“Good to see you up and about Stormheart. How are you?” she asked the blue pegasus.
“Better I suppose” he answered unsure himself. “But I don't think I can fly back to Cloudsdale any time soon.” He added letting his ears sink.
“Don 't you worry about a thing sugar cube.” the orange mare declared. “You are always welcome at the Applefamilys home. It'll be our honor to house you until you are better. Isn't that right.” With the last question she looked at Bigmac and Applebloom, who nodded in unison.

Stormheart blushed unsure how to handle the situation.
“Oh thank you. But I really don't want to impose on anypony.” he said.
Applejack waved it off. “It's nothing. We have plenty of spare room. We are used to house dozens of ponies during a family reunion.” she explained.

“Oh.. alright then... thank you.” the blue pegasus answered bashful and finally gave in.
That made the three fillies bounce up and yell: “YEA!” Which in turn lightened the mood of everypony in the kitchen.

“Do you want to tell your parents you are OK? We can have Rainbow fly to Cloudsdale in no time.” Applejack said, changing topic.
The blue pegasus thought about it briefly and then waved it off. “No need. My parents work in Manehatten. I am just going to boarding school in Cloudsdale. Many pegasi from all parts of Equestria do.” he explained. “I can just send them a letter and another one to my teachers. Telling them I am on sick-leave.” he added.

Applejack nodded. “You can give the letter to our mail mare Ditzy Doo when she makes her rounds tomorrow, or drop it off at the post office in Ponyville.” she informed him and he nodded in agreement.

“Might just do that. I was about to take a stroll anyway. You know, stretch my wing.” he said and waved his one good wing.
“Heh. You do that. But take it easy. Fluttershy wanted to come by later and check on your wounds.” Applejack told him slightly amused by his pun.

The mention of the yellow pegasus made the blue ones heart jump and his wing pop up in excitement. He blushed slightly. Not knowing why he reacted this way, he made for a quick escape, hoping that no one would notice.

“Can we come too? We wanted to hear how you got your Cutie Mark?!” Scootaloo asked before he was clear of the room. The question made him stop dead in his tracks.
“My what?” he asked and turned back, visibly confused.

“Your Cutie Mark.” Scootaloo exclaimed an pointed a hoof at his flank. “It almost looks like the Wonderbolts insignia. You must be fast as lightning!” she added grinning excited.

Stormheart eyes widened in wonder and he began to run in circles trying to get a better look at his own flank.
“Oh let me see, let me see, what is it, what does it look like? What...oh...ohhhh.” his excitement quickly vanished when he had finally gotten a good look at his Cutie Mark. He led his ears sink.
The other ponies in the room stared in wonder, as he made a fool of himself.
“You didn't know your Cutie Mark?” it was Applejack, who asked the obvious.

“No...” he answered with a sigh. “My flank was blank last time I looked. Must have gotten it in that storm.” he explained frustrated.

That left Applejack and her brother perplexed. Shouldn’t he be glad to have gotten his Cutie Mark? But before they could inquire, Apple Bloom jumped into the center of the group super excited.
“UH! Did you get it, when you saved us from crashing? Is your special talent search and rescue?” she said, her words coming like an avalanche.

Now the wall was broken and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo joined in.
“Will you join the Royal Equestrian Army? You could be in like in the special air forces!” the orange pegasus motioned. “Yea, you like bolt out of the clouds and swoop in to save the day!”

Under the onslaught of appraise from all sides, Stormheart could not keep being grumpy. He found his composure and started smiling again.
“Yea. Of course. That has to be my special talent.” he said, more to himself than anypony else. He really wanted to belief it, even though he knew it to be a lie.

Chattering about the endless possibilities, the four foals left the kitchen and headed outside, leaving a dumbstruck Applejack and Bigmac behind.
“What just happened?” the mare asked, but her brother just shook his head. “Let it slide sis. They'll work it out.” he advised. But Applejack was not convinced. She knew the blue colt was troubled about his Cutie Mark and she knew he was lying about his talent, but she didn’t bucking know why.

The swarm headed south, riding on the colt north wind. Animals fleet at their presence, they hid in their burrows. Thunder and rain followed in the swarms wake. They were far from their original strength yet. But they would gain it once again. In the south, they would rise to the heavens themselves.

The Lady Of The Forest

The Lady Of The Forest
He had spent a few hours with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, carefully loosening his legs, stretching his good wing and gently moving his bad one to get some blood flowing through it. In the meantime the three fillies showed him the farm, their tree house and told him about their quest for their Cutie Marks. Seeing the three together made him happy and sorrowful at the same time.

“I wish I had friends like you when I was your age.” he said. Not wanting to kill the mood he added quickly: “I’m sure you get your cutie marks very soon, with all the crazy stuff you try together.” He put a hoof to his chin thinking.
“Have you ever tried slacklining?” he offered in the end. And with that disaster was sure to happen.

He was resting beneath a tree overlooking the farm later the day, taking a nap. Slacklining with the crusaders had proven to be quite the fun. He did not join in of course, battered as he already was, but helping the three fillies with his rudimentary knowledge of the sport and seeing them try their luck on the line had been entertaining none the less. Turned out, that Scootaloo had a good sense of balance and even managed to do a few tricks. But when Apple Bloom tried her luck with karate, the three of them ended up covered in pine sap.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had to go home afterward and Apple Bloom joined her siblings in their chores. Stormheart felt his concussion catching up with him and grew very tired. He opted for a brief nap in the shadow of a tree at the border of the orchard. It was a sunny day and a light breeze was whistling the leaves. He greatly preferred laying in the grass to going back to a stuffy room.

He could hear singing. The sweetest little voice humming and small birds chirping in response. He was not fully awake yet and did not want to, so it became part of his dream, as he slumbered on.

He was venturing through the Everfree Forest with the crusaders, all four of them clad in iron mail, wearing a red cloak. Their coat of arms was a yellow pony on blue. They made their way through the thick undergrowth, hacking a path with their mighty swords, when they came upon a clearing.

They stared in wonder at the sight before them. On the clearing sat a deep green alicorn with a flowing watery blue mane. She sat next to a wellspring, the creatures of the forest gathered around her in court. She sang with an angelic voice and the birds joined her in choir.

The crusaders recognized the alicorn, for they had come for her. She was Lady Of The Forest. Their quest was at its end. They fell on their knees and bowed their heads before her. She would gift them with her sigil and they would rise as Knights of Equestria.

But before that could happen Stormheart finally woke up. His mind still in a state between dream and reality, he witnessed the strangest scene. The Lady Of The Forest was sitting in an apple orchard not far from him. Forest critters had gathered around her in court. She was humming a song and the birds joined her in choir. Only that the lady was a yellow pegasus mare with pink hair.

He rubbed his eyes to clean out the sleep, he blinked several times to clear his vision and shook his head to clear his mind, but she was still there. He was awestruck.

By now Fluttershy had noticed, that he was awake. She stopped humming and stud up. She nodded to the critters around her and slowly the gathered animals dissipated in all directions, leaving the two pegasi alone.

She walked over to the still stunned colt and smiled warmly. “You are awake. You were fast asleep when I arrived earlier. You looked so cute and peaceful, I couldn't bring myself to wake you. Did I wake you? Oh, I hope I didn't wake you?!” she said, confident at first, then more and more concerned she might have offended anypony.

Colts don't like to be called cute. Especially when they are not all that small anymore. So Stormheart was actually a bit offended. Then he noticed he had been drooling in his sleep. Feeling caught, he quickly wiped it away with his hoof. “It's quite alright my lady. Eh... I mean miss Fluttershy.” he answered, still in the mindset of his dream, but quickly corrected himself.

The yellow mare hid a giggle behind her hoof. “Please, just call me Fluttershy.” she motioned to the blushing colt. He looked away to hide his face, but then thought to do better. He nodded and smiled happily at her. “Gladly.” he said.
She nodded, than remembered why she had come in the first place. “I came by change your bandages.” she explained and quickly got her saddlebags, which were laying nearby. He got on his legs and followed her a few steps, meeting her on her way back.

“If I may?” she asked politely. He nodded and stretched out his one good wing to allow easier access to the bandages. “Of course.” he answered.

The yellow pegasus got to work. She carefully unwrapped her patient and checked his injuries. All the while humming a sweet melody. She started with his shoulder, then continued on his wing.

For Stormheart it was a difficult situation. Being near the yellow mare alone made his heart beat faster and his face go red. Every time she touched his skin it tickled in a strange but not a bad way. A fluffy feeling was growing in his stomach and worst of all, he could not place any of it.

Only when she began re bandaging his wing did he realize what was happening to him. It mad him blush even harder, he let his ears sink and made a grumpy face. The colt suppressed a sarcastic comment about himself and hoped the whole ordeal would be over soon. If he were not in it, he would laugh about the impossibility of the situation. He, a hot headed young colt, falling for the older mare that took care of him after an injury. Ho cliche could you get? He just hoped, that she did not notice his stupid behavior. He would surely sink into the ground in shame if anypony did.

After a few minutes, which seemed for Stormheart to stretch for an eternity, the pink maned pegasus had finished bandaging his wing. His shoulder was left bare. Fluttershy searched around in her saddlebags.

“You shoulder looks good. Just don't try galloping and heavy lifting for a few days. You can remove the bandages from your wing tomorrow and start moving it around. But don't try to fly as long as your muscles hurt even slightly.” she told him till she found what she was looking for. “Ah, here it is!” she exclaimed and turned to him with a corked bottle in her muzzle. She placed it on the ground in front of him.

“Drink this, it is a potion I got from my friend Zecora. It will make you go into molt and help you regrow all of your feathers in no time. In the meantime make sure to eat a lot.” she explained, making sure not to leave anything important out.
“OK?!” the blue colt answered reluctantly as he uncorked the bottle. He had never even heard of such a potion, but he trusted Fluttershy. So he took the bottle in his muzzle, threw his head back and emptied it in one go. He made a face when he put the bottle back down. The potion was bitter, tasting like a bazillion of herbs and leaving a tingling sensation on his tongue. But sure enough, shortly after he had finished it, a few feathers fell from his raised wing.

“Oh wow! This is strong stuff!” he exclaimed. “Tell your friend my thanks. Oh and thank you. You know, for taking care of me and all.” he said trying hard to keep his composure.

“It was nothing.” she assured him. “I love to take care of all creatures big and small. It's my special talent.” she explained. That did not normally include ponies, but since Twilight had told her friends how the doctor at the local clinic had acted, when she had brought Spike to him, the six of them tried not to depend on his medical skills.

“Oh my, I should go home now. The animals don't care for themselves!” Fluttershy said in the end, quickly packed her things and swung the saddlebags over her back. “Be sure to come by if you need anything. My cottage is at the edge of the Everfree Forest. You can't miss it. Good bye. Get well soon!” she said as she took flight and waved her hoof at him.
“Will do! See you.” Stormheart said as he saw her off and waved his own hoof.

He had not noticed, how late it had gotten until now. It was late afternoon, quickly approaching dusk. He had slept longer, than he had planned to. With a slow trot he headed back to the farmhouse. Maybe he could help at the house, be useful, or at least less useless than he felt.

Back at the Farm he meet Apple Bloom who introduced him to her grandmother Granny Smith. The three of them prepared dinner and soon Applejack and Bigmac joined them at the kitchen table. True to Fluttershys words he was very hungry and nearly matched Bigmac in his appetite.

The Applefamily discussed the days events and future task on the farm. Stormheart did not join conversation. He retired early and quickly fell into a troubled sleep.

He dreamed of a swarm. A black wall of clouds, devastating anything that stood in it's way, a legion of ancient spirits unleashed upon an unsuspecting world. They came from the north, thunder was their name, lightning was their call. The blue colt watched in terror as they approached the peaceful land he was flying above. Then his heart froze as bright eyes settled upon him. “We see you.” he heard the north wind call.

How to be awesome in ten seconds flat

How to be awesome in ten seconds flat
Stormheart woke up with a start. What a nightmare. But as he was thinking about his dream, it faded from his memory, gone like a shadow in the light of Celestial sun. He got up and headed for the bathroom. No use in sleeping anymore.

He had breakfast with the Applefamily. Being farm ponies they got up very early indeed to start their morning chores.
The blue pegasus had shed almost half of his feathers overnight. He was so famished, not even Bigmac was competition for his hunger. After the meal he helped clean up and swiped up his shed feathers. It was a bit embarrassing for him to leave them everywhere he went and he did not want to offend anypony with his condition.

It was still early, when he walked with Apple Bloom to the school in Ponyville. She didn't need anypony to walk her to school of course, but Stormheart wanted to get to the village anyway to write those letters he didn't get around to write the day before.

On their way he told her about his dream of the Crusaders and the Lady Of The Forest he had had the other day. The thought of that made the filly giggle in excitement.

“That's just like one of the stories of the Knights of Equestria. Bringing peace to the land before the reign of the princesses.” she exclaimed.

“Yea! Starswirl the Bearded and the Knights Of The Roundtable. They drove the Hydra back into the swamp, freed enslaved ponies from the dogs and defeated dragons at chess. Those were always my favorite!” the blue colt told her grinning widely.

They told each other their favorite tales about the legendary heroes till they reached the school building. Knights of Equestria. That sure had a nice ring too it. Maybe they could rename their secret society once their crusade for their cutie marks was at an end. Not much sense in crusading for cutie marks if you already got them.
They separated at that point. Apple Bloom headed for class and Stormheart made his way to the post office.

He was on his way back soon after. It had not taken long to write those two letters and get them commissioned to Manehatten and Cloudsdale. Not having anything to do he did not rush and took his sweat time strolling around town. He was just trotting through a park and looking at a fountain, when he heard a familiar voice from above: “Hi there Stormheart. Good to see you back on your hooves!”

He looked up and saw Rainbow Dash sitting on a small cloud. She jumped off. With a gust of wind, that made him shield his eyes, she landed beside him. Dash eyed him curious and the trail of feathers he was leaving behind.

“Your are loosing an awful lot of feathers. Are you feeling alright?” she asked and pointed a hoof at the trail. When the blue pegasus saw it, he blushed a little.

“Fluttershy gave me a potion that forced me to go into molt. You know, to replace my broken feathers. At this speed all of them will be good and new by tomorrow.” he explained happily. Just at that moment his stomach growled loudly for everypony to hear. He made an annoyed face and sighed.

“And I just ate. Growing that many feathers takes lots of energy.” he said.
Rainbow Dash nodded, slightly impressed.
“I can image it takes Bigmac portions with those big wings of yours.” she said.
“You think?” Stormheart countered stroppy and shot the rainbow maned mare an angry glare.
She was baffled. “What?” she asked confused.

At once the blue pegasus noticed his mistake. He let his ears sink and bowed his head apologetically. “I'm sorry” he said, “that was uncalled for. It's just that they make fun of me in flight school, calling me Blank Flank and Freakwing! I get defensively as soon as anypony mentions my wings being big. I didn't mean to snap at you.”

Rainbow Dash just smiled and waved it off. “Don't sweat it. I can relate. They bullied me in flight school too.” she told him.
That made his ears pop up again, he raised his head in curious disbelief.

“No way!” he exclaimed, “a cool mare like you must have been super popular!”

The compliment made her grin widely. “Heh, you think? They called me Rainbow Crash till I did that Sonic Rainboom at Best Young Fliers!” she explained.

“You must be joking!” he said over dramatically, still not believing it.

“It's true!” the blue mare assured him. “I may be the best flier in all of Equestria now, but in flight school, after my growth spurt I was kinda clumsy. I crashed all the time training for my awesome tricks.” she explained a little awkward.

Stormheart nodded slowly, dumbstruck. He could belief her story, but it was totally unexpected. Again his stomach growled, ending the awkward silence that had settled between them.

“Hey, why don't we go and grab something to bite. I didn't have breakfast yet and you sound like you could use a second one.” the mare offered with a smile.

The invitation left the young pony baffled. After seeing her at Best Young Fliers, she was kind of a hero for him. Eating breakfast with her was on his list of things that just don't happen.

“Uh... sure.” he said, very unsure actually. “Where do we go?” he asked.
“Oh I know just the place!” Rainbow Dash said with a confided smile, “Follow me!”
With that she flew off, at what was slow pace for her, but Stormheart had to really work his legs to keep up.

They were sitting at a table, on small hay piles, in front of a restaurant at the Ponyville marketplace. The pegasus colt was hungry enough to just order everything on the menu. But to go easy on the few bits he had with him, he settled for the cheapest food, hay fries, but triple portions. To his surprise Rainbow Dash ordered the same.

“Didn't expect you to eat Bigmac portions.” the colt remarked.
Rainbow Dash chuckled amused. “You'd be surprised. You burn a wagon load of calories if you fly as fast and as much as I do.” she explained. Stormheart nodded slowly. “I guess.” he said. But for a fact he didn't know any pegasus that ate that much. And Rainbow Dash was as slim and athletic as pegasi came. There could not have been an ounce of fat on her body.

But he had to belief it, when their hay fries arrived. Six plates of them. The two pegasi skipped formalities and just started chomping down, grease splattered everywhere as their meal turned into a fast eating competition.

Stormheart was very hungry. And then there was the fact that he was a colt and he would not stand a filly to eat more or faster than him. Even if she was the fastest flier in all of Equestria. Rainbow Dash was hungry too, and competitive by nature. In the end they finished their fries in a manner and at a speed, that attracted looks from every other table.

They finished almost at the same time. As they sat pack on their hay, they put a hoof on their bellies and let out enormous belches. That made them look at each other in surprise. When they saw the others face covered in grease, they burst out laughing. It was a sight to behold.

Stormheart recovered first. He took a napkin from the table and quickly cleaned his face. Rainbow Dash shortly followed suite. Both were still grinning exhilarated when they were done.

“So..” it was Rainbow who took up their conversation again. “How can they make fun of you by calling you Blank Flank? I mean, you got your cutie mark alright.” she asked curious.

“Just got it the day before yesterday.” the colt explained, “must have gotten it in that storm when I caught the crusaders.” He scratched his neck with a hoof as he continued: “Apple Bloom thinks it might be a search and rescue cutie mark, but I don't know. I don't think I'm good at that at all.”

“Your kidding?” Dash exclaimed, “you were able to fly through that freaky storm all by yourself and save three fillies at once! I'm not sure I could have pulled it off myself!”

That compliment left colt bashful. He waved it off. “Ah, your just saying that.” he said, “I saw your carry four grown ponies at once. Not mentioning catching them right above ground and flying all of them back up to Cloudsdale, or doing a Sonic Rainboom while doing so!” His eyes were shining literally at that memory.

Rainbow leaned back, hooves behind her head, enjoying the admiration. “Yep, I am awesome like that.” she said vainly.
Stormheart smiled amused but chanced topic before the mares head might explode. “So how was the day with the Wonderbolts?” he asked.

Now it was Dashes turn to get eyes like saucers. She suppresses a loud squee at the memory before she told him about it: “It was the best day ever! They showed me their training grounds, told me how they prepared for their shows. We even got to train together and they taught me some of their moves! It was so awesome!” Her voice cracked at the last words and Stormheart chuckled. Now there was one happy fan!

“Oh I wish I could spend a day with the Wonderbolts! Your so lucky!” he stated.

“Your are a fan too?” the pegasus mare asked, reverting back to her usual self.

The colt nodded grinning widely. “Sure am.” he said. “Oh, who is you favorite Wonderbolt?” he asked. He was really excited to have something in common with Rainbow Dash, something they could talk about, and that something being his most favorite fandom was too good to be true. His good wing flapped up and down involuntarily, his other wing threatened to break free of it's bandages.

Rainbow Dash was the same. Being hyper active by nature, and for once having someone to talk about her favorite pegasi, her wings flapping made her almost take off.

She did not have to think for more than a second, before she answered the question: “Spitfire!”

“Oh really? Mine too!” Storm burst out, “I have a poster of her over my bed!”

“Oh, me too.” Dash told him, “she just looks so awesome in that REA advertisements!”

The last comment made the colt stop for a second. He sure had seen the REA advertisements. He kept them hidden in his desk. Hack, didn't every young stallion? That Rainbow Dash had one hanging above her bed was... that was new. He shrugged mentally. Well, whatever makes her wings flap right? He decided not to bothered at all.

“She sure does.” he said nodding in agreement, but trying to keep his cool. “Almost made me join the REA.” he admitted with a chuckle.

The mare had to laugh at that comment. “Heh. What hold you back?” she asked.

Storm gave her a one wing shrug. “Didn't think I would fit in. I am not much of a fighter, or flier for that matter.” he told her. “Why didn't you join? I am sure you could buck it out with a dragon or something.” he said playing the ball back to her.
The azure pegasus had to laugh shyly at the last remark. She actually did try to buck it out with a dragon once. Her best shot had only managed to make it angry.

“Well, I considered to join after I quit flight school. Most of the Wonderbolts had made a career in the air force. But I'm not much for discipline. You know, too many rules, not enough nap time.” she admitted shaking her head slightly.

“How come you aren't a good flier? I image you’d be a great flier with that big wings of yours.” she asked quickly adding: “no offense.” Remembering the colt to be touchy about that subject.

“It's OK” he said with a sigh. “You would think big wings make you a good flier, but for me the opposite is true. I don't have the strength and weight to make anything out of this stupid wings. Can't move them fast enough to make quick turns, every minor turbulence sets me off course. To make it worse that all leads to me getting tired pretty fast.” he explained and let his ears and head sink.

Seeing the young pegasus like that made Rainbow Dashes heart hurt. A pegasus that did not enjoy flying was bad enough. A Wonderbolts fan that did not enjoy flying however. The worst possible thing! There was only one thing she could do, even if it meant her doom!

Without warning she jumped upon the table, making several plates fall off and started to shout down the blue colt with fierce determination: “DO YOU WANT TO BE A SORRY EXCUSE FOR A PEGASUS, NOT EVEN A CHICKEN WOULD LOOK AT?”

The young pony shrank back in surprise, shielding his face with his hooves before the verbal onslaught of the azure mare. What the buck was wrong with her?

“I CAN'T HEAR YOU! I SAD: DO YOU WANT TO BE FEATHER PILLOW TOO SOFT TO EVEN THROW AT LITTLE FOALS?” Rainbow shouter again, if anything with even more volume.
Stormheart managed to shake his head.

“CAN'T HEAR YOU!” she screamed.
“No.” he said.

“I STILL CAN'T HEAR YOU!” she bellowed.
“NOOOO!” he shouted finally matching her volume.

Dash grinned mischievously. That completed the first step. But she only let him catch his breath for a second before she attacked him again.

“DO YOU WANT TO BE THE BUCKING BEST FLIER EVER TO COME OUT OF CLOUDSDALE?” she yelled. “At least second best” she added in her thoughts, but that would weaken the message and you can't do this things halfhearted.
Storm blinked a few times in wonder but did not answer.

“I SAID DO YOU WANT TO BE A PEGASUS THE WONDERBOLTS WOULD NOT BE ASHAMED TO CALL A FLIER!” she continued.

The colt stared at her wide eyed. He nodded but didn't say anything.

“I CAN'T HEAR YOU!” Rainbow shouted.
“Yes.” he said.

“I STILL CAN'T HEAR YOU!” she bellowed.
“YES!” he yelled, “YES MA'AM, I WANT TO BE THE BEST FLIER IN ALL OF EQUESTIRA MA'AM!”

That completed phase two of her plan. Rainbow put on her scheming smile again. This had worked even better than she had expected. She jumped down the table, put a leg around his shoulder and pulled the still panting colt tight.
“My friend, you are in luck!” she told him, “for I happen to be the best trainer in all of Equestria.”
“Eh, what?” he asked confused, but Dash ignored it.

Instead she continued her passionate speech: “Your training won't be cakewalk. In fact it will be hard. The hardest thing you have ever done! There will be sweat, there will be blood and broken bones. Not everyone of you will make it through.”
“Of whom.. broken bones?!” Storm asked confused, but there was no stopping Rainbow. She continued uninterrupted: “But in the end it will be worth it. You will be strong, fast and elegant. The very definition of a pegasi warrior! You will be so awesome, it would make Commander Hurricane look like a kindergarten filly!”

Now he just looked at her as if she were crazy. But he slowly nodded none the less.
“Good! Your training starts right away. You need a proper diet to regrow your feather and to aid the growth of your muscles. WAITER! Three bowls of oatmeal, double portions! Make it quick.” the mare said, shouted and waved her hoof. By now not only all of the guests of the restaurant were looking at them like they were three headed apes, but some passing ponies had gathered to watch the spectacle. She did not care. Her plan was a success so far and she loved it when a plan came together.

Fact was, that she had not trained anypony since she helped Apple Bloom get her cutie mark. And that did not work out at all. She would make sure to get it right this time. Yes! She would make out a proper flier of this little colt yet, even if it meant loosing nap time, even if it meant asking Twilight for a few books on flight and training for her to read up on the subject. failure was not an option!

Stormheart was still confused. It dawned only slowly on him, what he had gotten himself into. But somehow he could not help but grin in excitement. Personal training with Rainbow Dash as his coach?! Too good to be true. Or it would be his doom. Ether way he was willing to give it his best shot. Who knew? This could even turn out to be fun.

They passed mountains and rivers, plains and forests. Their way was still long, but the swarm was unrelenting. Soon it would arrive. And then the storm would truly begin.

Special thanks to Mobius of the Moon for proofreading.

You need a montage

You need a montage
His third breakfast was the hardest he ever had. Three bowls of oatmeal after his enormous second breakfast. He almost threw up. But lucky he, when he was just starting the third bowl, all the while being motivated by Rainbow Dash shouting insults in his ear, they were interrupted.
A very classy looking white unicorn mare with the most impossible purple mane came by their table.
“Good morning Rainbow Dash. And you must be Stormheart. Good morning to you too.” she greeted them most formal. Storm was at a loss of words. Who was she? And why did she know his name? To his relief, Rainbow spoke up.
“Oh. Morning Rarity! What are you up to?”
“My, I was just going to the market, when I saw the two of you.” the white mare answered.
“I wanted to thank Stormheart here personally for saving my little sister.” she explained trotting over to the still baffled pegasus. Without warning she gave him a big kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for saving Sweetie Belle.” she said.
Storm blushed heavily. He could even fell his ears become red. Why did everypony have to thank him for what he did? He let his ears sink and looked away bashful. “It was nothing. Everypony had done the same.” he pressed out, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Rarity had to chuckle at his behavior. Young colts were sometimes so adorable. She decided not to make him any more uncomfortable. So she turned too leave. With a mischievous smile she talked to Rainbow Dash while passing her: “Oh how modest he is! A true hero AND gentlecolt I say.”
The pegasus mare shot her an angry glare. “You done spoiling my recruit? Because we got some serious Royal Army training to get back to!” she said annoyed.
But that only managed to greatly amuse Rarity. “Oh, I bet you do.” she chuckled. “I won't keep you any longer. Have a good day you two!” she said for goodbye more cheerful than anypony had a right to be. That annoyed Rainbow Dash to no end. She gritted her teeth. What was Rarity implying? No matter! There was some bone crushing training to get back into. She was sure she would feel better after shouting a bit more at her new recruit.
Stormheart did not fully understand, what was going on, but it was obvious that the two mares knew each other well. He shook his head to clear his stupor and set to motion. Rainbow Dash was preoccupied with her friend. He took the chance and poured the last oatmeal under his pile of hay and sat back on top. He put the bowl to his muzzle, just at the right moment before Rainbow Dash turned around and saw him. He faked a few swallows, than he put the bowl down and patted his stomach. “All done!” he exclaimed.
Dash stared at him for a second in disbelieve. Than she shrugged her wings and put on her drill sergeant face. “THATS VERY GOOD RECRUIT, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO MORE TIME TO WASTE ON YOU STARING AT YOUR RATIONS!” she shouted. With a gust of wind she took to the air and hovered a few meters above ground.
“SEEING HOW YOUR SORRY WEAK WING STILL HAS NOT RECOVERED FROM YOUR LITTLE ROUGH LANDING, WE START WITH A FORCED MARCH.”
Normally Stormheart would be mad being yelled at, but somehow with Rainbow Dash doing it, acting like a drill sergeant from the REA, it was a little fun. He quickly got on his hooves and started cantering in the direction she was leading.
“YES MA'AM! GLADLY MAM!” he shouted back and could not help but grin a little.

It turned out, he really did not know what he had gotten himself into. At the end of the day they arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, where Rainbow Dash finally let him off.
“Good, here we are. Nothing like a thirty mile marsh to get the blood flowing. Your are released for the rest of the day recruit. See you tomorrow.” With that she was off.
Storm had barely enough strength left to greet Applejack who looked rather surprised at him arriving with Rainbow Dash. As soon as he had dragged his body into his bed and his head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep.

Next morning he was woken by a sharp whistling and fell out of the bed, his ears ringing.
“GOOD MORNING RECRUIT! YOU HAVE THIRTY MINUTES TO GET YOURSELF READY, THEN WE HEAD OUT!” sure enough it was Rainbow Dash who had woken him. Somewhere she had found a whistle and a red barrette. She would have looked stupid, her sight making him laugh, had she not had fierce determination burning in her eyes. This way she managed to look terrifying. He quickly gained his hoofs and headed for the bathroom.
Thirty five minutes later he was outside. It had turned out, that Dash had let the Applefamily in on her scheme and they had prepared his breakfast at her instructions. Three bowls of oatmeal with apples and nuts, a glass of milk and a whole bucket of water to wash it all down. They were all greatly amused at the sight of the young colt trying to down all that food before his time ran out. It was hard not to laugh.
He had somehow managed to eat it all, but he was still five minutes late. He could tell by the dissatisfied look on the face of his drill sergeant. He lowered his ears and prepared for the worst.
“RECRUIT, YOU ARE FIVE MINUTES LATE! IF THAT HAPPENS AIGAN TOMORROW, YOU ARE ON LATRINE DUTY FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK! DID I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR” Maybe Rainbow was enjoying the whole drill thing a little too much. It was all she could do not to burst out in laughter but keep an angry face all the time.
“YES MA'AM! CRYSTAL CLEAR MAM!” Storm answered saluting with his hoof. Slowly he was getting used to all the shouting.
“GOOD! THAN I CAN LET YOU OFF EASY FOR TODAY RECRUIT. A HUNDRED PUSHUPS! NOW! AND PUT YOUR BACK INTO IT!”

It was save to say, that the following days had been the hardest in his life. But perhaps the most fun days too.
Rainbow Dash had carefully planned out all of his training. That did also include meals and resting times. But Storm could swear, if it had been possible for him to rest more effectively with Rainbow shouting at him, she would have done exactly that.
To his happy surprise, the training did not consist exclusively of military drill. No quite the contrary. Rainbow had planned a wagon load of different activities. She must have asked Fluttershy about his medical condition, because there was no flight training as of yet. The training included watering plants at the farm, plowing a field and bucking apples. Later he was horribly bad at. Only on his last day did he manage to actually buck one apple from a tree. It earned him a lot of happy laughter and applause, but he was just not built to buck trees.
Sometimes the Cutie Mark Crusaders would join him in his training. Meaning they took over for Rainbow Dash and shouted him down in her place. He didn't know if he should laugh or whine at jumping to the commands of three little fillies. Fillies who were shouting, that he had sorry small weak haunches.
Another time a pink earth pony appeared out of nowhere when he was force marching with saddlebags full of stones. To his great irritation she jumped around him and asked what he was doing, if he was new, asked his name and introduced herself as Pinkie Pie. She seemed to be acquainted with Rainbow though. Dash explained to her, that he was training. At that the pink pony giggled and joined in. Out of nowhere she had gotten her own pair of saddle bags, hers full of balloons.
Furthermore his training did include flight theory, yoga and meditation. For all of that, they visited the town library. The librarian, also an acquaintance of Rainbow, was a lavender coated unicorn mare named Twilight Sparkle. And she had a bucking dragon as a familiar! Sure, it was just a baby and she called him her assistant. But Storm had read enough stories about Starswirl the Bearded and other famous figures of legend to know that mages kept familiars, creatures that were magically bound to them to do their bidding. And a dragon just happened to be the most powerful familiar he had ever heard about. What kind of super Ursa Major vanquishing mage must the mare be to have a dragon familiar? So he was quite surprised to find her to be one of the most kind and modest of ponies he knew.
Truth be told, the lessons with her were the most relaxing in all off his training, because Rainbow kept falling asleep five minutes into them. And he actually enjoyed the meditation lessons. He had the feeling that his senses got sharper and his perception wider, when he managed to clear his mind of all confusing thoughts and emotions.

It's way had been long and it had lost even more of it's power. Shed along endless miles of travel. But now it had arrived. A place of ancient magic. A place where the animals fared for themselves and clouds moved on their own. Here they would rest. The land would restore their power. Then the swarm would rise and the world itself would shake from their voice once more.

Special thanks to Mobius of the Moon for proofreading.

The sky ain't the limit

The sky ain't the limit
Almost a week had passed since his crash. By know his wings were back to normal, his feathers shining and it didn't hurt to move them at all. Today they would begin actual flight lessons! He couldn't wait! Though he had planned on returning to Cloudsdale as soon as he was good to fly back, the opportunity to have flight lessons from the best flier in all of Equestria was too good to pass up. He had written another letter to his teachers at flight school, taking a few more days off. It was weekend anyway, so no harm done. Right?
He finished his morning routine in just under twenty five minutes. That was how fast he could now down three bowls of oatmeal with apples and nuts. It was quite a spectacle to behold. Apple Bloom nearly chocked trying to imitate the process. Being ready to depart five minutes early earned him a satisfied nod by Rainbow Dash. But she still kept her unamused face. She never smiled while training with him. At least not when he looked at her, but he was sure he had heard her giggle a few times, when he had not been looking.
“Recruit! Today marks your first day of actual flight training. I don't want you to strain you foal weak flight muscles again, so we start with warm up. A NICE AND COZY TEN MILE GALLOP WILL DO WONDER! FOLLOW ME RECRUIT!” she told him, first as a stern speech, the last sentence again as an angry shout.
With that she took of. Storm reared on his hind legs and set off in a brisk gallop trying his best not to loose her.
They made a twisting and turning trail through the apple orchards, finally following a small path up a mountainside. They arrived at a long plateau. It had a gentle drop and ended in a sheer cliff. It made for the perfect natural runway. If you could manage to get airborne before you fell down the mountainside. It was actually the same spot the crusaders had used for their paragliding adventure.
The gallop up to this place had not been easy. But after his days of special Rainbow Dash training, it hadn't been hard on him ether. He was certainly warmed up and he had still lots of energy to spare. His wings flapped up and down in anticipation. This was going to be good!
“Alright recruit!” Dash spoke up. Did he imagine it, or was she actually smiling at him this time?
“Well start nice and easy to get you back in the air. You are off to a running start and than I want you to circle the orchard till further notice. NOW GO!”
“YES MAM!” he replied, saluting with his hoof. He reared on his hind legs, than he was off.
At galloping speed, the runway would run out in mere seconds. But that proved to be no problem, when he spread his wings and caught headwinds, it was all he needed to get airborne. He passed the cliff and flapped his wings a few times to gain altitude. He had not flown far from the cliff, when a gentle, warm updraft took him in, pushing him upwards.
He had read about this in his recent flight theory lessons. Thermal updrafts: When the sun heated the land and the air above it, it would expand, thus become lighter than the surrounding air, which would result in it rising upwards. Colder air from the sides would flow in the low pressure zone, heat up and then too rise, this way feeding the updraft. It was not all that complicated once you put you mind to it. It was a new experience for Stormheart though. You didn't get any good thermal updrafts at Cloudsdale altitude.
He rolled slightly into a left turn. As he circled the updraft, it took him higher and higher and he didn't have to pump his wings at all. Just keeping them spread wide and adjusting his course by minor wing movement and weight shift was enough to keep him airborne.
Stormheart couldn’t help but smile happily. This was great! The warm updraft blowing through his feathers, the wind in his face. And of course the simple sensation of flying high above Equestria again. He had not know, but he had really missed it. And this was even better. Normally flying was hard work for him, but this took no effort at all! And there were neither his impatient parents, over critical teachers or his stupid classmates spoiling it for him. This was just plain fun!
Rainbow Dash was flying a bit further away, watching her recruit with a satisfied smile. She didn't fly any closer as not to disturb him with the turbulence she created. Of course she had planned this out to the last detail beforehand. Scouted for the perfect place and arranged for the perfect weather. She had just known, that with a nice and steady updraft involved, those big wings of Stormheart would stop being a handicap and actual become useful. Seeing as he grinned widely while circling higher and higher, she could not help but pat herself on the back. Well done.
After watching him a few more moments, she flew to a nearby cloud and settled down on it. Let the colt enjoy flying freely for an hour or so, before real training began. She would use the time for a nice little nap.
Stormheart found flying like this to be very calming. It was almost like meditation really. Slowly all disturbing thoughts left his mind, as he only concentrated on the airflow around his primary flight feathers. The wild excitement of the first minutes of flight faded away and made place for peaceful content.
He closed his eyes. At this point he could easily navigate by the feeling at the tips of his wings alone. He could feel the updraft, almost grasp its gentle power. His mind wandered. It was as if he could sense even further. Feel the whole of the weather around him. The updraft he was in, as well as other ones nearby, a gentle wind from the southwest, a single cloud weighted down by a pegasus resting on it.
He blinked confused, shook his head and tried to orientated himself using his normal senses again. What was that? Had he fallen asleep during flight, like swallows did? Could a pegasus even do that? Or had he been daydreaming? Yes, probably daydreaming. But something gave him pause. As he looked around, he saw a single cloud with a rainbow maned pegasus resting on it, taking a nap.

The rest of the flight training was no fun and games. Rainbow wanted to tackle the main problem she saw with Storms flying. The lack of strength in his flight muscles to utilize his wings. Technique and a few tricks would work themselves out after that was accomplished. Or so she thought.
Training began with her showing him his goal.
“RECRUIT! By the end of my training, I want you to be able to lift little Tom here.” she explained tapping her hoof on a giant rock. She didn't give him any time to recover from the shock though. Without warning she threw some saddlebags over his back and filled them to the brim with stones.
“ENOUGH OF THE LOLLYGAGGING! WE HAVE TO REACH APPLELOOSA BY DAWN AND AIN'T GOT SUNLIGHT TO SPARE!”
They did not really make it to Appleloosa that day. With that much ballast it was all Stormheart could do to stay in the air, hovering just above ground. They made it to Sweet Apple Acres by dawn.
The following days were a mixture of strength and extreme high altitude training. Living in Cloudsdale, Stormheart was used to high altitudes, his blood as thick as it came. So Rainbow had to step the training up a notch and booth of them spend hours flying way above cloud level.
It was freezing cold. If not for the hard work they had to put into flying in the thin air, they might have frozen solid. Both of them were breathing heavily, trying to get enough oxygen took a lot of effort. It was hard work, even for Rainbow. At the end of each session, she too was glad to rest in a comfortable bed.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders joined in on his strength training. That meant he had to carry them on his back. At first he could only carry one at a time, but soon all three of them were flying on his back, screaming in glee when he stepped up his speed. How he was able to fit the three on his back he never knew. But he was glad that Rainbow was always near to catch any of them, if they fell of. That actually happened a few times. None of them let such minor annoyances ruin their fun though.
After a week of hard training he had gained a lot of new strength and flying came easy to him. He could still not lift Tom. But that did not bother him that much. It had probably been a joke of Rainbow anyway. Or some kind of longtime goal. Maybe he would test his wings at the rock again in a year or ten.
Looking back the two weeks in Ponyville had been among the most enjoyable of his life and he was saddened by the thought of leaving and going back to Cloudsdale. But he couldn't put off flight school any longer. Reluctant he got ready to leave on the next day.

The animals of the Everfree Forest hid in their borrows. The hydra sought shelter in the swamp, maniticors crouched in fear and even the mighty Ursa Major moved deeper into its cave. A storm was coming.

Special thanks to Mobius of the Moon for proofreading.

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
When he woke the next morning, the sun was already high up. He blinked a few times and sat up. That was strange. Rainbow had always woken him at dawn for nearly two weeks. He yawned heavily and gathered himself out of bed. He left it the way it was. He saw now point in making a bed he would mess up the next time he slept in it anyway. And his drill sergeant had never complained about it.
After he had briefly visited the bathroom, he came down into the kitchen, only to find it empty. The Applefamily had apparently already eaten. Still, there was one bowl of oatmeal left for him. Only one bowl. He had told everyone he would leave today, but now he really realized that his training with Rainbow was at an end. He let his ears sink and proceeded with his breakfast very slowly.
When he had cleaned up after himself and left the farmhouse, there was a surprise waiting for him.
“OH! There you are Recruit, you're late.” someone shouted from top of a single cloud. Sure enough, when he looked up he saw Rainbow Dash. She jumped of the cloud, let herself fall almost all the way to the ground and landed with a strong gust of wind right in front of him.
“Uh... morning Rainbow?” he managed to say before the light blue mare went on.
“You may think your training is finished Recruit, but you couldn’t be more wrong. It is only finished when I say so. And for me to say so, you have to pass your final exam.” she explained witch a mischievous grin. She threw him a black piece of cloth.
“Here. Blindfold yourself. I will lead your to our secret base in Ghastly Gorge, it's location is top secret! There you will take your final test. DID I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?”
Stormheart was quite surprised by this turn of events. Slowly he bound the black cloth around his head so he could not see anything. He took this few moments to gather himself.
“YES MA'AM! INVISIBLY CLEAR MA'AM!” he answered. He was grinning despite himself. Whatever Rainbow had planned, it meant he could spend more time with her till he had to say goodbye.
“That's what I wanted to hear.” the mare said, now ginning widely. She no longer had to put up the drill sergeant face. “GRAB MY TAIL AND WE ARE OFF!”

Of course they were flying. And with Rainbow in the lead, they were not flying slowly. Storm did his best to hold on as he was dragged along. All he could do was stabilize his own flight. Trying to do any propulsion by himself was useless.
To his relief, they did not fly very far. After a few minutes, Rainbow Dash slowed down.
“Brace for landing in three...two...one!” she said. Storm spread his wings wide and stretched his legs, testing for ground. When he finally felt it, he gently set down. But landing blind is quite difficult. He stumbled, hit Rainbows flank with his head, bounced off and fell on his haunches. Damn that must have looked Stupid. He could already hear Rainbow Dash chuckling. Luckily there was nopony else to see his mishap. “Can I take of the blindfold now?” he asked vexed. “Yes, go ahead.” Rainbow answered.

“SURPRISE!” the voice of everypony in Ponyville shot out. Nothing could have prepared Stormheart for what he saw when he undid the blindfold.
He sat in the middle of the Ponyville town center. Around him had gathered all ponies that lived in town or more. He couldn’t tell. The town itself was decorated festive. There were tables bulging with food, party games, balloons and other decoration. Just now somepony had fired a party cannon, showering him and the surrounding ponies in confetti and streamers. His eyes stared in utter shock at it all, but that quickly turned to horror when the saw the banners.
“Goodbye Stormheart, Hero of Ponyville!” or “To our honored guest who saved the day.” they said. It was all too much for the blue colt. He just sat there on his haunches, looked around dumbstruck and hoped for any explanation.
It was Rainbow who spoke up first: “Pinkie Pie wanted to give you a welcome party. She does that for all new ponies in Ponyville. But I did not want her to interrupt your training, so I put her off, till it turned into a farewell party.”
With that, the pink earth pony bounced into his field of vision.
“I had so much time to prepare the party, I got more and more ponies invited, more and more food and games! And then Apple Bloom told me of your heroics, and than I told Major Mane, and than she wanted to thank you personal, so we prepared even more party, and now it is the best party ever! We have got Cupcakes and games and.......” Pinkie granted him an avalanche of her pinkieness, till Applejack gently pushed her away before his head could explode. But what he had gathered from her chatter did not reassure him in the slightest.
“The major wants to hold a speech in your honor.” the orange mare explained him and pointed to an older earth pony wearing glasses, poised behind a speakers desk on a wooden stage.
“You better get up there now little hero, everypony is waiting for you.” she added and began shoving him toward the stage.
Without any help from his side, he found himself next to the major, still sitting on his haunches. She looked down on him fondly, then she turned to the audience to start her speak.
“Fillies and gentlecolts, my fellow citizens of Ponyville.” she began in a very festive manner, “today we honor a young stallion, a pony who has never graced our fair town before. Yet selflessly he rescued three of our little fillies from crashing in a terribly storm. He had been gravely injured during this exploit and it took him weeks to recover. But now he is back on his wings. So without further delay, it is my honor and delight, to present you: Stormheart!”
There was a loud clopping and clapping of hooves, and the eyes of everypony rested expectantly on him. But he was to baffled to do anything but stare back in horror. “Say a few words to the audience.” the major whispered from the side.
Great, they thought him a hero, expected a speech, next they would hang a bucking medal round his neck. What else could go wrong? Sure enough, as soon as he had thought it, someone hung a golden medal around his head.
It was all too much for the young pegasus. He could not take anymore.
“IT WAS ME WHO MADE THAT STORM IN THE FIRST PLACE! I AM NO HERO, SO STOP THANKING ME!” he shouted at the top of his lungs.
Silence fell over Ponyville. Nopony had expected that. Slowly the crowd began to murmur.
Realization of what he had just said struck Stormheart. Frantically he looked around the crowd. He saw puzzled and confused faces, or were they accusing faces?
“I knew he was hiding something!” Applejack exclaimed. She said it with a tone of satisfaction, but the blue colt could only hear more accusations. And were they wrong to accuse him? His actions had almost killed three fillies.
He got on his hooves, his wings spreading because of the stress. He took a few steps back, eying the crowd. Overwhelmed by the situation, he found himself out of room to back away to. With a sudden gust of wind he took flight. His flight lessons with Rainbow payed off. He was gone before anypony could react.

“What was that all about?” Twilight Sparkle asked. She found herself with her five best friends and the Cutie Mark Crusaders right in front of the stage.
“He just admitted the truth. He made that storm that almost killed Apple Bloom and her friends. And then he turned tail rather than face us.” Applejack answered angrily.
Rainbow Dash shook her head. “Us and an entire crowd of stranger ponies. You can't blame him for that! You know he can be almost as shy as Fluttershy here. I was afraid he would fly off anyway.”
“Still, he made that terrible Storm!” Applejack insisted.
“No he can't have. Nopony can make a storm on his own.” Apple Bloom claimed when she stood up in defense for her new friend.
“Uh, and he is such a nice little colt. He would never hurt anypony.” Fluttershy added worried.
Eyes turned expectantly on Twilight Sparkle. She put a hoof to her brow and thought about everything for a moment.
“It is true that a single pegasus can't create a storm. At least not nowadays. But I think I have read that commander Hurricane, the pegasus leader back at the founding of Equestria, did have legendary weather control. Arg... I can't remember anymore.” she explained thoughtfully and became frustrated with her own lack of knowledge. It took her a few more moments, but after having formed a plan, she addressed her friends: “Rainbow Dash, you better fly after him and talk to him. He was so worked up, who knows what might happen.”
Dash saluted briefly, than she was off, leaving a rainbow trail in her wake.
The lavender unicorn addressed the rest of her friends. “I will do some research in the library. Meet me there later.”

Rainbow Dash flew high above town to get a better vantage. She spotted no immediate sign of the blue pegasus she was looking for, but that was only natural, given that she had trained him personally. “Oh stupid Recruit. Where have you gone?” she said to herself in a low voice, sounding rather worried.
She set off in the general direction of Cloudsdale. Stormheart had planned to depart for the city in the clouds today anyway. So it was a good guess, that he would be on his way. She would have to make good time if she wanted to catch up with him before he got there though.
She was racing across the sky, trailing a long rainbow in her wake. Her speed made her almost miss him. He was laying on a dark cloud, hanging lonely in the air just outside eyesight from Ponyville.

Stormheart had not found it in him to fly straight for Cloudsdale. There was nothing there for him. In fact he did not want to fly anywhere at all or do anything. With his blunder at his own goodbye party, he had probably turned all of his new friends against him.
Applejack would surely curse his name, let it never be uttered in Sweet Apple Acres again. The crusaders would hate him now, knowing that it had been him who nearly got them killed. Next thing, they would try to get a Stormheart vanquishing cutie mark. Trying to banish him to the moon and put in prison in the place they banished him to. Maybe that would be for the best. At least on the moon he could not hurt anypony anymore.
Surely Fluttershy now regretted ever nursing him back to health. If she had known him to be a menace to ponykind, she would have smothered him in his sleep. No.. NO! He could never bring himself to imagine Fluttershy doing anything bad. She was the kindest pony he had ever met. He would not stain her memory in this way. It broke his heart just thinking about the yellow pegasus none the less.
Rainbow Dash would deny to ever have met him. Calling him the lamest flier to ever come out of Cloudsdale. Saying that he was unworthy to even utter the name of the Wonderbolts, unworthy of flying in the same sky as her. Tears welled up in his eyes. As they ran down his cheek and dropped onto the cloud, it began to rain.

Without him noticing, the cloud had become quite big while he had been sitting on it. Other clouds had gathered and merged together. He was sitting on a grown summer rain, when Rainbow Dash found him. “There you are! I have been looking for you.” she exclaimed worried when she landed right beside him.
The young pegasus had not expected anyone to follow him. He would have fallen out of the sky, had he not been sitting on a cloud. As it was he jumped up in shock two meters into the air. He gathered himself and slowly turned to the pegasus mare.
“Rainbow? What? Why?” he was to startled to make any sense right then, “Did you come to tell me that I am unworthy of flying in the same sky as you?” he finally asked, tears welling in his eyes.
That question shook Rainbow deeply. How could he think that? Celestia knew that this colt was prone to emotional sways. Just how bad was he right now?
“Of course not, why would I do that?” she answered, “you are my number one recruit. The best to ever leave the Rainbow Dash Academy of Flight.” she added and ruffled his hair with her hoof. “It is my honor to share one sky with you.” she finished, putting a hoof on her chest in a theatrical gesture.
Storm sniffed and looked at her, still in doubt. “You mean it?”
“Of course I do!” Rainbow answered solemn. “I even pinky swear it! Cross my heart and hope to fly, put a cup...'” she was interrupted when the young pegasus jumped her and hugged her tightly. He began to sob uncontrollably on her shoulder.
Rainbow Dash was not really good with awkward social situations. But as the element of loyalty, she would always be there when a friend needed a shoulder to cry on. She patted the sobbing colt on the back. “There there. It's OK. Rainbow's got your back!”
It took a few moments for Storm to compose himself. But he eventually managed to let go of Rainbow Dash and started to wipe away his tears. “Thank you.” he said weakly.
“Don't mention it.” the mare replied and waved it off.
“The others?” Storm asked, letting his ears hang, “I am sure they all hate me know.”
Dash shook her head forcefully. “Of course not. Don't be stupid.” she exclaimed.
“Well maybe Applejack is a bit off because you lied to her. But we are all mostly confused. What was that about you making the storm?”
The colt sighed. “Just what I said.” he replied weakly. “I made that storm that nearly killed the Crusaders.” he explained looking like a beaten dog.
The mare shook her head in disbelieve. “Oh come on, you saved them yourself. Nopony got hurt... well expect for you. And besides: You couldn't have made the storm by yourself. Nopony can!”
Storm sighed again, more heavily and finally looked up to her, but he had a look of defiance on his face.
“So you call me a liar?” he asked stroppy.
“That's not what I meant!” Rainbow countered, “But maybe you didn't understand what was going on and blamed yourself because you didn't know better.”
“So I am stupid?”
“Och NO!” Rainbow exclaimed frustrated. Storm was impossible when he got defensive like that. She took a deep breath, sat down on the cloud, and beckoned him to sit beside her.
“Just tell me what happened that day. From the start. I am sure we can work it out.”
The colt sighed again, even more heavily this time, and let his ears sink. “Fine.” he said, stretching the word in annoyance. He sat down beside Rainbow with a thump.
After he had been sitting there for a few moments without doing anything, Rainbow shot him an expecting look and poked him in the side. He looked up, then he started telling her about that fateful day.
“So I was in flight school...”

He had been in his advanced course in meteorology and he was doing a presentation of his homework on the unique weather phenomena of the Everfree Forest. “Where the clouds move on their own.” But it seemed the beauty of self forming cloud formations and independent weather was lost on his classmates. It had not been an easy presentation, but one where he had to dodge paper planes and ignore stupid comments several times.

That he could live with. He was actual used to it. So he just closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath and went on. Hiding his anger best as he could.

Soon he had finished his presentation with a picture of a self occurring thunderstorm above the forest complete with a giant, dark cumulus could rising thousands of feet into the sky. He had taken the picture himself, at the risk of getting caught in the storm. He nearly had been blown into the forest. But it had been worth it. To him it had been a sight of pure beauty.

Just as he had pinned the picture to the board and turned around, a big grin on his face, because now everypony could see this awe inspiring sight, he was assailed by an array of paper balls aimed at his face. He ducked on reflex and somehow managed to avoid them. When he got back up, he saw the usual trio pointing and laughing at him. Quick Ball Sky Chaser and Batalot. Three members of the Quiddich team and a constant thorn in his side.

“Now that's what I call a piece of Art!” Quick Ball claimed, before he burst out laughing, pointing at the young pegasus that now stared at the trio with a snarl on his face.

But then he realized that the brown colt was not pointing at him, but behind him? Slowly Stormheart turned around again, dreading what he would see. And true enough. The three paper balls had been soaked in raw rainbows and they had hit his picture dead center. His precious photography was now a multicolored mess.
“Hey Stormblank! If you like that stupid forest so much, why don't you go and live there?!” someone yelled from behind, who Stormheart knew to be Sky Chaser by voice. He whirled around, baring his teeth, his anger flaring up white hot. He braced himself, ready to charge at his assailants,his wings popped up involuntary.
Whenever a pegasus is under stress, it is his instinct to spread it's wings and get ready to fight or flight.

“Hey look! Giant wing boner!” Batalot exclaimed and pointed his hoof at the sky blue pegasus.
The whole class started to laugh.
Stormheart eyes widened as he realized what happened. He looked around the classroom. Everypony was laughing at him. No one would stand up for his defense. So it was flight!

Funny thing about buildings made out of clouds. No matter how thick and solid a wall might look, it is still only a cloud. Any pegasus who put his mind to it could still pass through without difficulty. With a gust of wind that made his classmates shield their faces, Stormheart took to the sky and dashed right through the ceiling. He left a hole in the clouds for Celestias sun to shine through. With that he was gone.

Stormheart flew as fast as he could, tears welling in his eyes. Buck weather factory, buck flight school! He just wanted to get away from it all. He cursed under his breath as he dashed through a layer of clouds, trailing a long vortex of bad weather in his wake.

His angry dash was slowly running its course and he started to feel burning exhaustion in his wings. With a final climb he shed his speed and landed on a dark storm cloud. It had the same color as his unruly mane and perfectly fit his mood. He looked around and took in his surroundings. Cloudsdale already was a long way. It could hardly be seen on the horizon. Below him was hilly farm and woodland, nopony to be seen for dozens of miles. He was as alone as a pegasus could be. And while this was what he had stormed out of his class for earlier, he was now starting to feel lonely. He settled down on the cloud and rested his head on his hooves. Buck it all! Why was he all alone even when in school? Why couldn’t they just accept him as he was? A tear ran down his cheek and dropped onto the cloud. It began to rain. Slowly at first. One drop, than another, but soon more rain clouds gathered around and began a downpour.

It was not just flight school that made his live a living hell. He had just started apprenticing at the weather factory while still attending his final classes at school. He had thought that this was finally his chance to shine. That he would finally find his own very special talent and get his cutie mark.
But no! He had found nothing, only growing frustration.
Weather factory was not at all what he had expected.
“Your cloud is too big! And too dark. We are making fleece clouds today and yours is more like a black sheep. Scrap it and do it again!” his fore worker would yell.
He had always enjoyed forming clouds and making winds. But for him they were not mere objects but living, breathing things, each with its own story and personality. None was exactly like the other. It was a form of art! But reality in the weather factory of Cloudsdale was a different thing. It was a machine pumping out weather at the press of a button. Each pegasus worker only a small clog in it all, making a million clouds a year.

“To the moon with weather factory! To the moon with flight school!” he exclaimed angrily as he jumped to his hooves. His anger was flaring up again, burning out all other emotions. He had to move, he had to work it out of his system. Acting purely on instinct he jumped of the cloud and dove for the ground.

Right above ground he pulled up and began circling back up again. He did not notice, but a powerful updraft appeared where he had flown. It grabbed him and pushed him up ever higher and faster. By the time he reached cloud level again he was corkscrewing up almost vertically. He shot through the dark cloud he had left behind. It was pulled and pushed into his wake as he rose ever higher. The warm, moisture air from the ground cooled down when it reached the freezing temperatures at high altitude. The water condensed and formed several storm clouds. As the updraft continued to grew in strength, so did the the clouds grow in size.

Stormheart rose to the center of the storm. Wind and rain were raging about him, tugging at his wings, drenching his coat. But this was his storm. He had made it! He was its master. He spread his wings wide. Blinding bright lightning flashed on both sides of him, deafening thunder roared and shook him to the bone. He did not notice at that time, but at this very moment his cutie mark appeared. A black storm cloud, shooting a single bolt of yellow lightning.
Suddenly he heard screaming. It yanked him right out of his madness. Only now did he realize that he was in the middle of a raging storm. One he had made. One he had lost every control over. In panic he looked around and spotted three fillies strapped to some flying contraption, screaming for their lives. Without hesitating, without ever thinking, he dove for them.

“I managed to catch them and break our fall. I passed out right after the crash. This is when you found me.” he told her as he ended his story.
Rainbow Dash had listened patiently. She had asked a few questions at first, but the colt looked so annoyed each time, that she stopped, in fear he might break off his story then and there. She eyed him sceptically. His tale was still pretty far fetched. She had never heard of a pegasuses mood affecting the weather in this way, or of one making a storm on his own. But then again, why would he make this up? And then there was the fact that the cloud they were sitting on had gone a lot brighter and stopped raining since he had calmed down. She shrugged. Maybe this was like Pinkie Sense. You just couldn't explain it. She got back on her hooves.
“We should get back to Twilight and the others.” she exclaimed as she stretched her legs and wings. “They will be worried about us by now.”

And they came down from the mountains. Thunder was their voice, lightning their wings. They rode on the tempest gale and left doom and destruction in their wake.

Special thanks to StewartSpicer for proofreading.

Storm of the century

Storm of the century
She looked over to Stormheart when he didn't move at once. He was staring hard at the horizon. “Can you see that?” he asked and pointed his hoof.
She rose an eyebrow but followed his hoof with her gaze. He was pointing at the Everfree Forest and the mountain range beyond. Nothing she hadn't seen before... expect for the pitch black clouds covering all of the horizon and the single pegasus speeding for Ponyville. She looked harder. The clouds were actually moving closer and if she were not mistaken, that pegasus was Ditzy Doo.
“Something's wrong. Got to check it out.” Rainbow exclaimed and shot of. Stormheart gathered himself up and promptly followed her.

The fastest flier in all of Equestria quickly intercepted the gray coated male mare. Ditzy was panting heavily and covered in sweat. She had clearly been pushing herself beyond her limits.
“Whats wrong Ditzy. You OK?” Rainbow asked, yelling against the strong airstream.
The gray pegasus shot her a quick glance, than looked ahead again. But that was all it took for Dash to know that something was very wrong. Ditzys eyes were properly aligned. Normally her eyes were rolling all over the place. It took the mare some real effort to get them both to look at the same direction. And that meant there was either a fashion show she wanted to look at or a world threatening crisis.

“Got.. pant... to.. huff... warn...huff... town... pant... thunderbirds.” she explained between gasps of air.
“What?”
“THUNDERBIRDS!” Ditzy yelled. It made Dash stop in midair and take another look at the approaching storm.

Stormheart took the opportunity to catch up with her.
“So whats up?” he asked.
Dash was looking very hard at the clouds, shading her eyes with one hoof. “Something about thunderbirds.” she muttered. The information made Storm gasp in wonder. He followed Dashs gaze and scanned the clouds for anything out of the ordinary.

Soon they could make out their forms at the edge of the storm. Creatures made out of lightning and wind. They had the rough shape of giant birds and they were riding the gale at tempests edge.

“We have to tell Twilight and the others! Come on!” Rainbow explained and shot off for Ponyville. The blue colt followed hard on her heels, giving his all to keep up.

When they arrived at the library tree, the others were already outside. They had saddlebags on their backs and were ready to head out.
“Girls! There are thunderbirds approaching. They ride a freaking big storm headed for Ponyville!” Dash yelled as she arrived. She quickly landed in front of the others.
“We know.” Twilight replied, “Ditzy just got here and warned the town. We got ready to intercept them as fast as we could.”
“So whats the plan?” Dash inquired confident.
“Well we did not have much time to prepare, so I could not read up on thunderbirds.” the lavender unicorn admitted, “but I'm sure between the six of us, we can work something out. I am going to do what I do best: lecture them! If that fails dear Fluttershy can stare them down and make them see the error of their ways.”
“And Rarity can whine till they give up, Applejack will try to buck them into next year, Pinkie does whatever Pinkie does, and I clean their sky in ten seconds flat.” Rainbow Dash finished for her.
“Yup, we just make it up, as we go, like we always do.” Applejack summed up. She began trotting ahead.
“Come on everypony! We ain't got time to lose.” she exclaimed. The other followed her example and set off.

They had not come more then twenty meters, when Stormheart arrived at the scene, panting. He landed to catch his breath.
“Wait.” he huffed, “where... pant... are you going.”

The six mares shot glances at them. It was Twilight who spoke up: “Sorry, no time, we are in a hurry.” With that five of them galloped on. Only Rainbow stayed back. She could catch up with the rest in no time, so she took a moment to explain the situation to her finest recruit.

“The six of us will go and drive of those thunderbirds. You better stay here and.... eh keep watch.” she said with a confident smile.
“The six of you?” Storm inquired worried, “shouldn’t we wait for the Royal Guard or even the Princesses. Those birds looked very dangerous.”
Dash waved it off. “It's no big deal. Between the six of us we have defeated Nightmare Moon and Discord, put an Ursa Minor back to sleep, made Diamond Dogs give us their treasure and stared down a cockatrice. Dragons fear our name!” she explained proudly.

Storm considered this for a second. Sure, Dash was prone to overstate her deeds and abilities. That did not make them any less astonishing though. Twilight had a dragon familiar, AJ was probably one of the strongest ponies alive. He didn't know about Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy though. Oh well, Dash seemed confided enough.
“Alright.” he gave in with a sigh. “Just be careful OK?” he demanded worried.

That made Dash smile warmly. She ruffled his hair with her hoof. “Oh come on, have some faith in your sergeant. We will be back before you know it. See you later!” With that she took off making haste to catch up with the others.

Stormheart let his head sink and shuffled into the library. He felt useless and powerless. He hated being useless and powerless. Maybe he could find some book to keep his mind off things.

As he entered the library he saw nopony around. He could hear Spike from the kitchen though. The little dragon was probably preparing some food, maybe bananacaramelchocolatecookies or something. He headed for the novel section of the library. Some adventure story would be a good read right now.

Suddenly three cloaked figures came out of nowhere and tackled him from the side. It was an ambush! Before he knew it, he was pinned to the ground and merciless hooves tickled his exposed belly.
“Ahg, stop it. I.... I yield, I YIELD!” he yelled as he laughed involuntarily. Slowly the attacks stopped and his assailants let go of his legs.

When he regained his hooves, he was looking at the three angry faces of certain fillies he knew. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had caught him off guard and now they stared at him expectantly. They were even wearing their cloaks! He sighed heavily. It was time to come clear. He let his ears and head sink.
“I am sorry I made that storm and endangered you. I didn't know what I was doing, I didn't know anypony was there. And I am sorry I lied to you about my cutie mark. I am no search and rescue pony, my stupid special talent is making storms.” he said as apology and explanation and it came from his heart.

For several moments after his explanation they stared him down angrily and he shrunk even further to the ground. Then they looked at each other, nodded and faced him again.
Apple Bloom spoke up: “Well don't do it again!”
“Or we will banish you and put you in prison the place we banish you too!” Scootaloo threatened gravely.
“Yea. And then we will turn you to stone!” Sweetie Belle added foreboding. “Forever!”

Storm looked at the three and was stunned. Their serious manner faded, they were trying their best to hold it back, but it was to no avail. The three broke out in laughter. The colt joined in soon after, he was visibly relieved.
“So you don't hate me?” he finally asked when he recovered enough to speak.
The three crusaders tackled him again before he could brace himself. He was pinned to the ground again, but this time embraced in an group hug.

“Of course we don't hate you stupid.” Scootaloo exclaimed with a defiant smile.
“Anypony can make mistakes. You have to give them a chance to make up for it and your friends wont let you down. They will learn from their errors an become better ponies.” Sweetie Belle told him, reciting a lesson about friendship she had learned from Rarity and her friends.
“Yea! And what kind of crusaders would we be if we hated our own brother in arms.” Apple Bloom finished with a wide smile.

The last sentence gave the colt pause. He got to his hooves as he was entangled from the hug.
“Brother in arms?” he asked raising an eyebrow. The Cutie Mark Crusaders gathered in front of him, all of them carrying a knowing smile. They looked at each other for a second and nodded in agreement.

Scootaloo spoke up first: “The three of us decided to make you a member of our secret society.” She tried to speak very solemnly but went a bit over the top.
“But since you already got your cutie mark, we could not make you a Cutie Mark Crusader.” Sweetie Belle explained in the same manner.
“But than I head an idea.” Apple Bloom told him, grinning so widely, he feared her face would split.

But she hid her grin at once. All three fillies put on serious faces as they gathered around him. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo took place on his sides, facing him. Their eyes were closed, their heads held impossibly high. Sweetie Belle was standing in front of him in the same manner. She cleared her throat before she spoke up.

“Stormheart of Cloudsdale. Kneel before us!” she exclaimed ceremonial.

At first the blue colt did not know what was going on. But when the little unicorn spoke those words, he quickly caught on. He shot a quick glance at the three of them, grinning widely. Than he put on his most noble and solemn face and played along. He sunk on his knees and bowed his head in respect. This was just like a scene from one of the stories he liked so much.

Sweetie Belle waited a few seconds for dramatic effect before she continued. The three of them had actual practiced this before, each of them taking the colts and her role in turn.
“I will take your oath. Repeat with me the words of the old code:”
And as she solemnly spoke the words of the old code, Stormheart joined her with fierce determination, he knew them from his mind for they came straight from the legends of the Knights of Equestria:

“A knight is sworn to valor.
His heart knows only virtue.
His hooves defend the helpless.
His might upholds the weak.
His words speaks only truth.
His wrath undoes the wicked!”

After those words were spoken, only Stormheart could keep his face. The fillies could not help but grin happily. They put their act back on when Sweetie Belle cleared her throat and continued.
“With the power given to me, in the name of the sun and the moon, I dub thee Knight of Equestria!” she spoke ceremoniously, her voice rose at the last words.
From behind her she took a cloak, swung it over Stormhearts back and fastened it around his shoulders with a brooch. Now not even the kneeling colt could hide his grin. One last time Sweetie Belle cleared her throat and the four of them hid their smiles.
“Now Sir Stormheart of Cloudsdale. Rise a knight!”

He rose to his hooves as the three fillies stomped the ground with their hooves in applause. With the ceremonies over, non of them could hide their feelings any longer, or had too.
Stormheart was the happiest pony alive. He felt like he could break out in tears of joy. But since a crying knight was unseemly, he suppressed it best as he could. He couldn’t help getting a wet shine in his eyes though.
“Oh this is so awesome! You are so awesome!” he exclaimed and gathered the three in another crushing group hug.
“Thank you so much. You are the best friends a pony can wish for.” he told them and hoped they could not see the tears in his eyes while he hugged them.

The crusaders said nothing and just smiled satisfied. This had worked out better than they had planned. No more words were needed.
When they ended the hug, Stormheart quickly blinked away his tears, hoping no one had seen them. That hope was in vain of course, but none of the fillies mentioned it.

The blue pegasus took a moment to get a look at the cloak they had put on him. It was made of Bordeaux red, thick loden and lined with soft black silk. His new coat of arms was stitched in golden threat on both of his sides. It showed an oak tree, growing under the sun and the moon, on a shield. The brooch that closed the cloak was golden and showed his cutie mark as ornamentation. The whole thing was expertly crafted. It even had holes for his wings, that he put to use as soon as he found them. He noticed that the cloak was actually too big for him. It was something a young pony could grow into. One thing was clear: Somepony had made this with much thought and effort.

“This cloak is amazing! It's like a real knights cloth. It' so cool!” Stormheart exclaimed in wonder. His apparent happiness made the three crusaders very proud of their effort.
“We had my sister Rarity make it. When she heard it was for you she really got into it. I think she still wanted to thank you for saving us.” Sweetie Belle explained.

This gave the blue colt pause. This cloak was perhaps the most generous gift he had ever received. And he got it from somepony who thought him to be something he was not.
“I cannot except this.” he declared sadly and started to undo the cloak.
“Oh no you don't!” Apple Bloom interpreted and caught his hoof before he could fumble with the brooch.
“You can and you will accept this gift Sir Stormheart!” she said sternly.

Scootaloo had an idea. It was brilliant. She got behind the colt and started pushing him to the door.
“If you don't feel you earned your cloak Sir knight you have now the opportunity to proof yourself worthy.” she declared with a mischievous grin. The other fillies quickly caught onto her plan. Sweetie Belle cantered ahead and opened the door, Apple Bloom helped pushing.
“There are six mares out there fighting legendary monsters. They need your help Sir knight.” the little earth pony exclaimed overbearingly dramatic.
“And besides, you got a storm making cutie mark. I am sure you can help them.” Sweetie belle added, thinking more practically.

Soon Stormheart was out in the open and the three fillies blocked the door. There was no way back. The colt sighed in defeat. “Fine, I'll go.” he said annoyed. But then he thought up something better. He straightened himself, raised his head high, pushed his chest out proudly and spread his wings wide for added effect.
“But only because it is my duty as a knight! I am not doing this heroic deeds for fame or fortune!” he exclaimed and now it was his time to make the drama boil over.

The three rolled their eyes. “Just go.” said Scootaloo. But Apple Bloom had a better plan. With a mischievous grin she jumped behind him. “Your lady of the forest is waiting. Go save her!” she said suggestively and with a crack, she whipped him across his haunches with her tail.

The young pegasus jumped into the air in shock and took flight. He was too startled for further words of bravery. Did sweet little Apple Bloom really do what he just thought she did? Did she even know what she had done? He looked back over his shoulder. The three were waving him goodbye. The little red maned filly had the most innocent smile on her face he could imagine. Oh she knew! He blamed Applejack.

Special thanks to StewartSpicer for proofreading.

Heart of the storm

Heart of the storm
Thunder hammered in their ears as lightning struck the magic shield that Twilight had put up at the last second. Negotiations had failed before they had even begun.
They had positioned themselves on a hill overlooking the land halfway between Ponyville and the Everfree Forest. There they made ready to meet the thunderbirds at the head of the raging tempest. They didn't have to wait for long.

First the wind picked up. With it the temperature dropped. Dark clouds came overhead and blocked out the sun. It started to rain, and soon there was a downpour mixed with hail. Thunder roared as lightning flashed across the sky. Then came the swarm.

One lone thunderbird was a creature the size of a manticore. Its body made out of wind and lightning. It had the power to create a summer storm. Wind, rain, and thunder obeyed its command. The swarm contained dozens of them.

With the swarm approaching to what Twilight hoped to be hearing range, she set her first plan in motion. Lecture them.
"There are ponies living where you are going!" she shouted into the storm. "Your storm is destroying their homes and hurting them. Please turn back!"
Her lecture didn't meet the response she had hoped for. In fact, she was ignored.

The unicorn was not frazzled by this. She had one more trick up her horn. One she had learned from Princess Luna herself. Her horn shone as she cast the spell.
"IN THE NAME OF PRINCESS CELESTIA! YOU ARE INVADING EQUESTRIAN AIRSPACE! TURN BACK NOW!" she bellowed in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

That provoked a reaction, but not one that she'd hoped for. She was barely able to raise a shield spell before lightning struck out at them.
"So much for negotiations!" Applejack exclaimed shouting over the howling winds. "What know?"
"Now it's time for plan D!" Rainbow Dash yelled back at her, sporting a confident smile.
"And that's me! Plan Dash"
With that she jumped and took to the sky.

She nimbly dodged any thunderbird that came near her. She knew better than to attack a creature made out of lightning head on, but she could undo their little weather. In ten seconds flat she had cleared out a patch of sky from any clouds. Celestia's sun shone through the hole and bathed her five friends in its brilliant radiance.

To her dismay that triumph was short-lived, for the storm was still massive and quickly covered up the hole. To make matters worse, she had now attracted the enemy's attention. She turned around just in time to dodge a bird that dashed right at her. Compared to her speed and agility, the creatures were slow hulking lumps of cloud, but there is no dodging lightning. When one of the birds made the tempest strike out at her, she didn't have any time to react.

Dash was hit dead on. Thunder roared, and her world lit up brightly in light and pain before it all went dark.

The azure mare fell from the sky like a rock, her coat and feathers smoldering and trailing smoke. Before her body hit the ground, it was engulfed in a bright magenta aura. With her magic Twilight had caught her friend and now quickly levitated her unmoving form to the five of them. She set her down gently, and at once the other four rushed over to her. Rarity used a wet blanked to put out any remaining embers. Fluttershy quickly put her ear to Rainbows muzzle and chest.
"She's alive! Oh thank Celestia, she's alive!" she exclaimed with a relieved sigh.

Knowing her friend to be safe, the yellow pegasus turned her attention to those responsible. Her anger rose up like magma in a volcano. Fluttershy was not easily agitated, but when it happened, not even Celestia herself could have saved the sorry creature that had invoked her fury.

With a speed unusual to her she flew up to the swarm. She stopped to hover right in front of one thunderbirds face. The mare took a deep breath, and then she used the Stare. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE? YOU HURT MY FRIEND!" she shouted, her usual sweet voice filled with enough anger to kill.

There was no living creature in the world that could have withstood Fluttershy's Stare. It was a force of nature more powerful than the Medusa-esque gaze of a cockatrice, it made century old dragons cower in fear and break into tears.

Thunderbirds were no living creatures. They were spirits of thunder and lightning. They did not have feelings the way living creatures did, they did not know fear.

Fluttershys Stare was utterly useless on them. Annoyed, the bird she stared at summoned a strong squall. The yellow pegasus was blown away like a leaf in the wind. She screamed at the top of her lungs as she was thrown about by the gale.

Blue hooves caught her and strong wings braced her against the storm. She was carried back to her friends and gently settled on the ground. When she dared to open her eyes she saw Stormheart standing above her. His figure defied the elements as rain and hail trashed against him. His mane was soaked, the long cloak he wore flapped wildly in the wind. Fluttershy could not help but smile at him in relief and pride.

The blue colt blushed and quickly turned away bashfully. He had managed to save his Lady of the Forest. That fact alone he could hardly believe. His long days of training with Rainbow Dash had paid off, but being too shy to even look at her? His training had not prepared him for this.

Twilight and Applejack galloped to him and Fluttershy.
"Stormheart, Fluttershy! Are you OK?" the lavender unicorn shouted as she arrived. She nuzzled her yellow friend anxiously, but to her relief, the pegasus was unharmed, if too shaken to stand on her legs.
"What in tarnation are you doing here?" Applejack inquired angrily, her sharp tone made the young pony cower.
"The Crusaders sent me. They said I could be of use, you know, storm cutie mark and all, but I didn't think you'd really need my help." he explained, shouting over the storm. "And I'm sorry that I lied to you!"
Applejack let out her breath with a sigh and let her anger fade. She could not stay mad at the blue pegasus forever, especially not when he risked his hide to help her and her friends.
"I forgive you. I know you meant well." she said and extended her hoof.
Stormheart stood up when he saw that, visibly relieved. He put his hoof an hers.
"Thanks Applejack. I won't let you down again!" he promised her, yelling over the storm.

"It's a good thing you came when you did." Twilight said, trying to get their attention.
"We are running out of options! We can't fight them, I can't remember any weather or spirit controlling spells, and they're getting close to town!" she explained, speaking fast. Her eyes were tiny, her mane was wet but had some loose strands standing up nonetheless. She was clearly at the edge of panic.

Stormheart looked around. Fluttershy still couldn't get up. Further away he could see Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. The pegasus was laying on the ground and did not move. The pink earth pony was sitting beside her, her mane had deflated and hung straight down her face. She was crying. The fashonista was standing over them, shielding them from the storm with her magic. Her once luxurious mane was all messed up and wet and hung almost to the ground. Her face showed signs of exhaustion. Still she was keeping up the spell, not yielding an inch.

At the sight of Rainbow Dash on the ground he galloped over to the trio.
"Oh nononononono!" he muttered to himself.
He came to a sliding halt beside the unmoving figure of Rainbow Dash and the crying Pinky Pie. He looked down upon his idol, drill sergeant, and friend. She looked terrible. The tips of her primary feathers were burned of. Her wings and coat were charred in several places as well. He shook her with his hoof. She did not move. Right then and there it struck him: She was dead.

It was all too much to take for the blue colt. He stumbled several feet backwards, tears running down his cheeks. He was sobbing uncontrollably. He swallowed hard and looked up. There they were. Those stupid murdering lightning creatures. He could feel his growing hate for the spirits. He could feel it replacing his sadness, sweeping away all other emotions, fueling his anger!

"RRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" with an angry, mighty roar he took flight, shooting straight up into the sky. Everypony on the ground had their mane blown the other way by the force of the start, and then in front of them again as the air rushed in behind him. A strong updraft formed in his wake.

Already the storm was changing course. It began spinning around the updraft the blue pegasus had created. The thunderbirds had no more control over their weather. They too were drawn to the center. They gathered around him, circled him. They shrieked at him, their voices deafening thunder. And still the storm grew in size and strength.

Stormheart was absolutely out of it. Blinded by anger he no longer knew reason. All he knew was a searing hot hatred for everything around him. He lashed out in every direction. Lightning struck all around him. The wind uprooted tress, frozen hail slammed the ground. In his rage he did not know anything else. He did not now himself, he did not know friend or foe.

Twilight's magic was shielding her and her five friends with a glowing bubble. It was assailed from every side, as lightning struck, frozen hail plummeted upon it, and flying debris hit from every direction. Slowly the strain of holding up the spell got to her.
"He has lost it. He is totally out of control!" she exclaimed in a worried tone, she barely managed to fight off her panic. If her concentration were to falter, so too would her spell.
"There must be something we can do to stop him. Some way to get through to him?" Applejack mused, straining her neck to look up in hope of getting a glimpse of the pegasus.
"There might be." Twilight said, strain in her voice. Everyponys eyes settled on her.
"I did some research on pegasus weather magic before. In Obscure Pegasus History it is described how Commander Hurricane was able to control Storms. It said that he was able to make giant rotating storms. The type and size we today only get in the oceans of the south. They are even named after him."
"How does that help us?" Rarity inquired impatiently.
"Well it said," Twilight continued, "that he would be controlling the weather from the eye of the storm and that the eye of the storm was calm."
Understanding dawned upon her listeners.
"So that meas," concluded Applejack. "if we can get him to calm down, he can control this mess?!"
Twilight nodded. Sweat was beginning to run down her face.
"But how can we calm him down? How do we get through to him?" Fluttershy asked desperately.

"I could help you with that." a weak voice sounded from below them.
"RAINBOW DASH!" the others exclaimed in unison. And sure enough, the azure pegasus had regained consciousness. She had been listening in on the conversation before she had found enough strength to speak.

The storm had reached a scale Equestria had not seen in centuries. It was a spinning leviathan of wind and rain. By now its edge had arrived at Ponyville. Ponies were seeking shelter in their homes, closing shutters, and barricading windows and doors while black clouds blocked out the sun. The howling winds and deafening thunder made for a cacophony that shut out any other sound. Yet suddenly an angry shout could be heard above it all.

"RECRUIT! YOU SNAP OUT OF YOUR SILLY TANTRUM THIS INSTANT!" Rainbow shouted, her voice amplified by the royal Canterlot spell as she reached out to her finest pupil, as she reached out to her friend. Six ponies looked up into the sky and sent their prayers to Celestia and Luna, praying that this would work.

Stormheart was lost in his own mind. All around him a blazing inferno raged as far as he could see. He had curled into a ball and was shielding himself with his hooves and wings. It was all he could do to not perish in the soaring flames. He didn't know how long he had held out this way or how much more of this agony he could take.

He was about to give up. Maybe it was better if he just faded away. He hurt and he was alone. Nopony would care anyway.
It was then that he heard a voice. A faint whisper in the distance. "You are not alone." it said, "Your friends are always there for you!" The voice became stronger with every word. It was sweet and gentle voice, yet full of strength and confidence. As with her last word the flames around him were pushed away from his body.

He opened his eyes and uncurled his body. His mouth opened in awe when he saw what was around him.
Around him stood the Cutie Mark Crusaders, clad in mail armor. They were holding big iron shields in their muzzles and used them to protect him from the flames that still raged outside their circle.
"Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo!" he exclaimed in wonder. His face lit up and tears began to well in his eyes. Never before had he been this happy to see anypony.
"Yeah, it's us." Scootaloo confirmed as a sideline, never letting her guard falter.
"You know we would never abandon a friend!" Sweetie Belle told him, her voice warm and reassuring.
"But you have to wake up." Apple Bloom said confidently, "Don't worry, we'll keep the fires at bay!"

Wake up? Stormheart didn't understand. But as he got upon his hooves, he heard somepony calling out for him from a faraway distance: "Recruit! You snap out of your silly tantrum this instant!"
"Rainbow Dash!" the blue colt exclaimed, a smile of hope growing on his face.

When he came back to his senses, he was surrounded by a raging monstrosity. Strong gales pulled at his feathers as they thrashed him around. Rain and frozen hail attacked his body without mercy. Thunder roared and lighting was flashing all around him. He began to panic.
"RAINBOW DASH! HELP!" he cried out.

On the ground his shout could barely be heard over the cacophony of the storm.
"Yes! Thank Celestia. He snapped out of it!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed.
"Yeah, but the storms not letting up at all." Applejack said worriedly as she looked around.
"He is no longer controlling it." Rarity observed. Worried faces turned to Rainbow Dash. The pegasus mare took a deep breath.
"RECRUIT! YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE STORM STOP, BEFORE IT DESTROYS PONYVILLE!"

Up in the sky the blue colt only heard a faint whisper. Its meaning was clear enough though. And he tried. He tried to use his senses, to feel the weather. He tried to reach out and stop the storm. It was no use, he could not concentrate on anything.
"I CAN'T! IT'S OUT OF CONTROL!" he shouted in panic.

"This is Bad!" Applejack stated and looked to the others for ideas.
"He's in panic. He can't do anything if he's in a panic! We have to help him!" Fluttershy exclaimed.
"The eye of the storm is calm." Twilight though aloud, "We have to calm him down." She looked to Rainbow Dash as she had an idea. "Meditation! Rainbow, you have to remind him of our first lesson in meditation." she said.
Dash raised her brows. "But I fell asleep during the lesson." she protested.
The lavender unicorn face hoofed. "Just tell him our very first exercise, the one you fell asleep doing."
Rainbow took another deep breath.
"RECRUIT! YOUR SPECIAL TALENT IS STORMS. YOU CAN MASTER THIS STORM, BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE CALM! REMEMBER YOUR LESSONS IN MEDITATION! TAKE A DEEP BREATH. HOLD IT IN. THEN LET IT OUT SLOWLY AND COUNT FROM TEN TO ONE. TRY TO FOCUS ON YOUR BREATHING!" Having shouted that, she had to focus on her breathing herself.

Up in the sky the blue pegasus had a lot of other worries than meditation, but after weeks of training under Rainbow Dash, he was used to following her instructions without complaint.
"Here goes nothing..." he mumbled to himself and closed his eyes.
Take a deep breath. Cool, moist air streamed into his lungs. He held it in for a moment, then let it out slowly. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.

He didn't notice, but having anything he could do at all gave his panic a pause. Slowly, he became calm.

Another try, breathe, focus only on your breathing. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. When he had stopped counting, his mind was blank. The storm was still raging around him, but he payed it no heed. His frantic thoughts and conflicted emotions had faded. He was at peace.

Slowly he became aware of the weather around him. Not the feeling of the wind tugging his feathers, not the cold of the rain on his coat or the deafening roar in his ears. But he could still feel the weather.

He could feel the thermal updraft that was powering the storm at its center. It's flow keeping him aloft. He was aware of the clouds, big and small, and how they all circled around the updraft. He sensed the clouds that were blown about by the wind, dark and heavy with rain. He felt the electric charge that unleashed itself in bright flashes and roaring thunder.

And he could feel the thunderbirds. They were all around him, circling him, looking at him, biding him. As his mind touched theirs, he could sense their thoughts. They did not think in words like a pony did. Their thoughts were as their whole being, wind and rain, thunder and lightning. But he knew their meaning none the less.

He had hated them before. He had thought them to be malevolent spirits that brought death and destruction upon ponykind. They had hurt his friends. But he realized that his hate had been meaningless, he hated because he didn't know better. He had been wrong. Now that he knew, he could not bring himself to hate. He could hate them no more than he could hate the rain or the wind. Hating them would be like hating a tree or a rock. There was not point.

He knew what he had to do know. If not with reason, he knew it by instinct. He spread his other pair of wings.
The sky lit up in bright light. The eyes of the six ponies on the ground widened as they watched, muzzles agape. Giant wings made out of lightning spread from Stormhearts sides. They loomed over them, spanning miles across the sky. Wherever their tendons touched a thunderbird, its form vanished. Further and further the wings spread, till they engulfed all of the swarm. They flapped a single time.

"I AM THE HEART OF THE STORM!" a voice called in the wind. The six friends could not believe their ears. It was as if the storm around them had spoken in the voice of a small blue pegasus they knew. With that, the lightning wings folded back to Stormhearts body and vanished.

At once the tempest lost its power. No more lightning cracked the sky. Then the winds let up. Slowly the rain stopped and the clouds began to dissipate, letting Celestia's sun shine through growing gaps between them. It bathed the six ponies on the hill in its warming rays.

The six looked at the sky, relieved smiles crawled to their faces. They looked at each other for a second, then they embraced in a big group hug. Dash was in the middle, still resting on the ground.
"We did it! He did it! You know what this calls for?" Pinkie exclaimed happily. Her mane had puffed back to normal. "A Party!" the other five finished in unison. They all broke out in relieved laughter.
After a few moments they untangled themselves, their eyes wandered to the sky. One of their friends was still missing.

They didn't have to wait long. Stormheart was descending to them, gliding in wide circles. Rainbow Dash would normally just dive to the ground and stop at the last instant. But the blue colt was way to beaten to even try that. He took his time and, when he was almost to the ground, he pulled up and spread his feathers wide, shedding all his remaining speed this way. He landed on the ground gently.

He looked pretty ruffled, his feathers disheveled, his eyes showing exhaustion. Still small sparks of electricity danced between his feathers. They were only extinguished when he carefully folded his wings. He looked up to the group.

When he saw Rainbow Dash up and about, smiling at him, he rushed her at once and hugged her tightly.
"Rainbow! You're alive! I'm so glad. I thought you were dead." he exclaimed, tears of joy running down his face. He didn't care about appearances right now. He could focus on being a grown stallion later.
"Of course I'm alive! I'm WAY too awesome to just die." Dash said with played bravado. The experience of being hit by lightning had left her quite shaken actually. But her friends and especially her young recruit did not need to worry about her, so she put on a brave face.
"And I'm glad you are back in one piece too." she added warmly and patted the sobbing colt on his back.

After a few more moments he let go of her. He wiped away his tears as he found his composure again. He looked around the group. His eyes were involuntarily drawn to Fluttershy. "I'm glad you're all alright." he stated with a nervous smile.

"I must say I'm impressed. You managed to vanquish all of the thunderbirds. I'm not sure even the princesses could have banished a whole swarm of evil spirits!" Twilight Sparkle said, eying him curiously.
Stormheart let out a sigh. This would take some time to explain.
"They are not evil spirits." he began, "They are spirits of nature. No more evil than a rock or a cloud. Sure, they have terrible power, but they don't mean to hurt anypony. It's just... that they're so very different from us. They have no concept of good or evil. They don't know hatred or even death. They kinda... just are. And storms are what they do, it's their nature." He struggled to find the right words to describe the nature of the ancient spirits. It was a concept not easily put into words.

"And I didn't vanquish them." he admitted when he was done explaining. The statement greatly surprised the others.
"But they all vanished into thin air." Twilight protested.

Storm let his head and ears sink. Now came the uncomfortable part.
"They didn't. I took them into myself. They are bound in my wings." he admitted and shook his head, "I don't know how I was able to do it, but I know I only was able to do it because they came to me. I don't know why, but the thunderbirds came here looking for me."
He knew better than to hide the truth from his friends again, but it was hard. Surely they would hate him now. Now that he had brought misery and pain upon them again.
"I'm sorry." he sobbed. He was barely able to speak anymore.

The six mares stared conflicted at the young colt in front of them that was now no more than a sobbing pile of sorrow misery. They looked at each other for guidance. Wings shrug, heads shook and nodded, in the end they began to smile in agreement.

Applejack put a hoof on the blue colts shoulder.
"Oh stop being such cry pony and stop beating yourself up over little things." she said like it was an order. Stormheart looked up to hear, confused. The orange mare smiled at him warmly.
"I'm sure you didn't send a letter to those spirits and invite them here, so it's hardly your fault, but you came here, rushed into the fray to save us with no concern for your own safety, and for me that is what counts. By Celestia, you are a true hero in my book." she explained, the words stretched in her heavy country accent.

The young pegasus blinked a few times, still not believing his ears. "I am?" he asked nopony in particular.
"Oh you most certainly are!" Rarity answered. And you shall be rewarded like the knight you are." she exclaimed, trotting over to place a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, sir." she whispered in his ear before she drew back. The blue colt blushed. He was already overwhelmed by the situation.
"And let me thank you personally for catching me from that fall." came the sweetest little voice from his other side. That was all the warning he ever got. As he turned to face her, Fluttershy kissed him gently on the mouth.
It was the most innocent kiss, no tongue involved. Nevertheless, it managed baffle the young pony beyond reason. He blushed all the way to his ears.
Fluttershy hid a giggle with her hoof as she withdrew from the stunned pegasus. She smiled and blushed a little herself. Stormheart tried to say something. He wanted to say: "You are welcome my lady." but he only managed to utter incomprehensible gibberish.

"I think you broke him!" chuckled Rainbow Dash, as she regained her hooves. The remark made everypony laugh happily.
"Let's get back to town. I'm dying for some hot chocolate and a nap." the rainbow maned mare exclaimed and set of on hoof. The others quickly followed with Applejack carrying the blue pegasus, who was still unable to walk. He fell asleep on her back before they reached the town.

Special thanks to StewartSpicer for proofreading.

Epilogue

Epilogue

Epilogue
They were greeted by everypony in town. They all cheered for the returning heroes. The townsponies thought the six mares to have saved them again. Stormheart was glad the attention was not focused on him. He had asked the others to keep his role in all of this to themselves. He did not want to antagonize anypony or get any more hero worship. The six mares agreed and kept the secret to themselves.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders knew better though. From the way he and the mares were acting, they gathered, that Stormheart had indeed swooped in and saved the Lady of the Forest. They rushed too him when he left the others to be lead to the town center and celebrated as heroes of Ponyville. The Crusaders greeted him as brother in arms and he was glad to play along. The four of them continued to fool around, pretending to be knights of the roundtable for a bit. But the blue pegasus was way too tired and exhausted. He fell asleep in front of the fireplace in the library when the others had just begun to build a book fort.

He stayed in Ponyville for two more days and helped cleaning and repairing the storms leftovers. Rainbow Dash had gotten a few potions from Zecora and was spreading azure feathers everywhere. Storm made a point of personally bringing her large bowls of oatmeal several times a day. She was back dashing all over the place in no time.

Dear Princess Celestia
Two days ago a swarm of thunderbirds was on its way to Ponyville. And with it came the biggest storm in recorded weather history. Me and my best friends managed to hold it at the last moment. But we couldn't have done it without our newest friend. He is a brave young Pegasus with incredible abilities. His name is Stormheart.
“Twilight don't tell the princess stupid things about me. I am not incredible at all!” the blue colt complained and Spike hold on writing the letter.
Twilight shook her head and rolled her eyes. They had been over this before.
“Yes you are, and you know it. Now stop complaining and let me finish dictating my part of the letter.” the lavender unicorn said sternly. “Alright.” Storm replied stroppy.
He managed the impossible and bound the birds into his own wings. We still can't figure out, how he was able to it. But we know that they came looking for him and that it has something to do with ancient pegasus weather magic. I'd like to speak to you in length on the subject when you can find the time.
Your faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.
P.S. Stormheart has learned a valuable lessen about friendship and I talked him into writing it to you personal.

Dear Princess Celestia.
“Are you sure I should address her this way? It sounds a bit too informal.” Stormheart complained and spike stopped writing again. It was his turn to roll his eyes.
“Oh, it's OK.” Twilight Sparkle answered and waved it off. “The princess loves and cares for all of her subjects. She wouldn't want it any other way.
“Oh... alright.” the pegasus gave in and went on.
Two days ago I have learned an important lesson about friendship.
Your friends will never abandon you. Even if you think you are lost and on your own, your friends will always be with your. Their thoughts and wishes will accompany you on all of your trails. Just knowing that your friends care will give you the strength to struggle on and overcome all obstacles.
Yours truly, Stormheart

Before he departed, Pinkie Pie got to throw him the goodbye party she wanted to do before. This time only ponies he knew were invited. They celebrated in small circle, eating, dancing, making fun an games. It was a great party, but it made Stormheart all the more sad that he had to go. He promised everypony to come and visit, whenever he would find time.

The departing itself was a very tear inducing affair. He had promised himself not to cry, but it was futile. The friends traded hugs and well wishes. And of course he had to blush hard when Fluttershy hugged him. Dash had even gotten him a farewell gift.
“Recruit. ATTANTION!” she shouted. The colt stood tall and saluted at once. Rainbow Dash tried to put on her serious face. But it was impossible. Her eyes shined with tears, she could not help but smile proudly.
“Take this here specs and wear them proud.” she said as she put a pair of aviator goggles over his head. “They have been handed down in Rainbow Dash Academy of Flight for generations, always passing from master to pupil. And now it is your turn to have them. Congratulations on passing your final exam Recruit!”
She had made that up, but it made for a much better story then telling him she had bought them just yesterday. If Stormheart knew, he gave no sign.
“I will. THANK YOU MA'AM!” the colt answered. But he could not keep up the though act for long. His eyes watered again, he embraced her in long hug.
“Thank you Rainbow. Honor to be your friend.” he managed to say at last.

Two month later he was back in flight school, holding a presentation on ancient pegasus weather magic. Rainbow Dash had given him notes on how to continue his flight training. They had contained literature references for him to read up on his own. With that help he had managed to come up with a training routine that suited him just fine. Thanks to Rainbows training, flying had become fun and that was all the motivation he needed to keep practicing. By now he was amongst the best fliers in his class.
He held the presentation with calm confidence and was not set off by the occasional paper plane at all. When he ended his presentation with a painting of commander Hurricane and turned around to face the class, the inevitably volley of paper balls was flung at his face. He was not taken by surprise. This time he did not duck, but with one powerful stroke from his wings he create a gust of wind that send the projectiles back to their creators. With a splash they hit target and made their rainbow colored mess. Quick Ball, Skychaser and Batalot stared at him, stunned in shock, their faces covered in rainbow. The other pupils broke out in laughter. Stormheart could not help but chuckle a bit himself.

In the months after his departure from Ponyville, he had done a lot of research on ancient pegasi weather magic. He had searched the libraries in Cloudsdale, Ponyville and Canterlot, but there was almost nothing to be found on the subject. The sources he found only claimed what he already knew. That commander Hurricane had been able to command storms at will. But there was nothing to be found about how he did it. Much less was known about thunderbirds.
He could still feel their presence. They were dormant, sleeping amongst the feathers of his wings. But he knew that they would not stay this way forever. He had to find out more about them, commander Hurricane and weather magic.
Eventually he came to the conclusion that there were no more information to be found in Equestria. All his sources pointed to only one place he could look: The ancient pegasus empire that fell before the founding of Equestria. There had never been any expedition to these fabled lands, at least none that came back. So he planned one himself.
He took his time to prepare, studying the ancient pegasus language, reading up on wilderness survival. He even found a book called: Expedition 101, all you ever wanted to know about expeditions but were too afraid to ask, in Ponyville library.
His endeavors did not go unnoticed though. During his frequent visits in Ponyville he could not help but drop one or two lines about his future plans. That and his choice of books from the library had led Twilight to know what he was up too. Unknown to him she was planning the expedition too, telling her best friends, even pulling a few strings in Canterlot to get things into motion. Soon enough they would all be ready to embark on another great adventure.

Special thanks to StewartSpicer for proofreading.