Chapter One
The sun crawled its way over the horizon, bringing a new dawn for the ponies living in the city of Canterlot. The city shone with a spectacular whiteness that was unrivaled by any other settlement, and would be for millennia to come. Snow blanketed the houses and streets, for the city was caught up in winter’s clutches. Most ponies were still asleep this early, save for the numerous earth ponies who lived inside and around the great city. For them, it was time to start tending their fields, to start sweeping the floors and streets, to start whatever general working job that they were confined to.
High above the city flew a pegasus pony, who went by the name Storm Front. His coat was a light grey; his mane and tail an electric mixture of dark blue and a bright yellow. His cutie mark was a shield with dual swords going through it, like a coat of arms. Most of the populace knew him as Captain Front, the captain who led his pegasi forces into battle against an army of griffins just three years ago. He was also the nephew of Grand General Storm Shaker, whom he was partly named after. For the past year, he had been sent on regular scouting missions to the Griffin Territories. With his job done, he was now heading home. Reaching the city, Storm Front flew down onto the balcony of a great manor that his parents called home.
The home was the exact antithesis of the word modest. The house was three stories high and was furnished with the best furniture money could buy. There was a great spiral staircase that transcended all three floors near the front of the house. Beautiful works of art adorned the walls, and a vast collection of books were kept in a fantastic study room, complete with a handcrafted fireplace.
Storm Front walked off the balcony and into the house. He quickly and quietly, so not to awaken anypony, walked to his old room and undressed from his military uniform. Crawling onto his old bed, he soon found himself asleep. Sadly, his much needed rest was quickly interrupted by his mother glaring at him from the doorway to his room.
“So you thought you could just come home without telling your dear mother,” said his mom in a scolding yet light and playful tone. She was wearing her favorite white silk pajamas. Her beautiful purple hair was a frayed mess. It seemed that she had just woken up.
“Good morning, Mom. It’s good to see you,” Storm Front replied as he got up from his bed, smiling. He walked over to where his mother was standing and gave her a loving hug.
“It’s good to see you too, Stormy. It has been too long since you have come for a visit. You've been so busy lately,” his mother said. Her voice started to quiver.
“I j-just don’t understand. W-why do you have to be the one to be sent to that wretched place. Why can’t they send out somepony else?” Storm’s mother was in tears at this point as she looked at her son helplessly, as if she knew the answer to her question already.
Storm Front let out an exasperated sigh, for his mom asked him this same question every time he returned from whatever mission he had been sent on. He understood that she worried about him, but he was a grown stallion. He didn't need her to be so protective of him anymore.
“I’ve been over this, Mom. I was the one that volunteered to scout the griffins. I know their tactics. I know their movements. And besides, anypony else who was qualified for the job was to busy with their own responsibilities. If I didn't take the job, no pony would,” Storm Front replied with a serious tone in his voice and a stern look on his face.
“I know, I know... It’s just that I worry about you, that’s all. You are my only son, and my first born child. I will always worry about you,” his mother said, magically wiping the tears from her eyes with a napkin.
“I give you my absolute word that nothing is going to happen to me,” Storm replied bringing his mother back close for a second hug.
His mother gave a sharp laugh. “You have always been a brave soul Stormy... Now why don’t you get yourself cleaned up? I’m going downstairs to make some breakfast. Brown sugar and cinnamon oatmeal, your favorite... Oh and could you be a dear and wake your sister up before you come down.”
With that, Brush Stroke walked out of the room and headed downstairs to make breakfast. Storm shut the door and quickly took a brush through his tail and mane. He took a quick glance in the mirror before leaving the room to make sure that he looked presentable.
Storm Front trotted over to his sister’s room to wake her up for breakfast. He rapidly tapped his hoof against her bedroom door and waited for her to come out. Soon enough the door creaked open and Storm Front found himself face to face with his dear sister.
His sister, Velvet Lilac, was a promising young foal with a talent for art just like her mother. She was a school age unicorn who had a penchant for getting into trouble, like most school fillies. But she was a good soul, who got along with almost everypony she met. With the door now open, Storm saw his sister, and it looked as if she had rolled out of bed. Her mane and tail was a complete mess. Her eyes were still closed, still adjusting to the bright morning sun. Rubbing her eyes, she looked up to see who had disturbed her from her peaceful weekend slumber.
“Hey kiddo, rough night?” Storm said, giving a bright smile.
“Storm? Storm!” Storm’s sister jumped up, wrapping her hooves around her brother’s neck. “It’s great to see you. I’ve missed you so much. Mommy and Daddy wouldn't tell me when you would be back.” She released her grip on her brother and planted her hooves back on the ground.
“Well that’s because I didn’t know when I would be getting back, Velvet.” It was then that he noticed that there was something different about his sister.
“Hey! What’s that on your flank?”
“Oh! I almost forgot. I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!” she shrieked in pure joy, as if she had gotten it just then.
“Congratulations Velvy! That’s great! Let me see it.”
Velvet Lilac turned to show her brother her cutie mark. It was a paintbrush dripping with beautiful light purple paint.
“Wow! Now isn’t that something. Looks like you inherited Mom’s great drawing ability... Hey! I should have you draw a picture of me, now how does that sound, huh?
“I would love to!” Velvet Lilac yelled, her voice cracking just a bit.
“Haha, great! I can’t wait. Now, mom told me to tell you to wake up and get ready for breakfast, she’s downstairs cooking it right now...”
“Alright. I’ll be down in a minute, let me just comb my mane and tail.”
“Okay. See you downstairs.”
At that Storm Front trotted down the manor’s grand spiral staircase. The overwhelming smell of brown sugar mixed with cinnamon hit him, and he quickly sped up to reach the dining room faster. Reaching the dining room, he found his mother setting the table as his father sat at the table reading the morning paper. Storm Front composed himself and walked into the dining room and sat across from his father, Blitz Thunder, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Morning, Dad,” greeted Storm Front as he waved his hoof.
“Morning, Storm,” said Blitz Thunder with a smile as he put down the paper to look at his son.
“Any updates on the griffin situation?” Blitz asked, cocking his eye as he leaned forward in his chair.
"Nothing new to be honest,” answered Storm Front as he gave a quick shrug.
“It seems that they aren’t interested in rebuilding a force to take us on again. I mean, we have the technology to build muskets and cannons, and all they have are swords. I doubt they will be trying to attack again anytime soon. They’ve learned their lesson... If I’m lucky, this will have been my last reconnaissance mission to the griffin territories for a while.”
“Good... Very good,” Storm’s dad happily replied, clapping his hooves together. “I guess you could say that you showed them their place at Red Gulch.”
“Yeah, I guess you could say that,” said Storm dejectedly.
“I bet you’re happy to be home?” Blitz carried on, not noticing his son’s troubles.
“You have no idea... Anything interesting happen while I was gone?” Storm Front asked. His mom burst into the room carrying a tray with four bowls of steaming, hot oatmeal.
“Where is your sister?” Storm’s mom asked, irritated by Velvet’s absence.
“I’m sure she will be down momentarily. She’s probably getting dressed, or brushing her teeth, or something,” Storm answered.
Brush Stroke placed the bowls on the table and left the room. She soon returned with a glass pitcher of orange juice, and four glasses. By then Velvet Lilac had come downstairs and sat herself at the table. Brush Stroke took her place at the table, and the family began to enjoy breakfast, once again fully together.
“So what were you asking Storm?”
“Oh.” Storm quickly gulped down the spoonful of oatmeal that was in his mouth. “I was asking if anything interesting happened while I was away?”
“No, not really,” Storm’s father replied, shrugging. “Let’s see, your sister got her cutie mark. But you know that already, don’t you? Your mother has been asked to do another portrait of Queen Lavaliere. The Earth Pony Representative passed away just a few weeks ago. Oh! And your Uncle Storm Shaker asked me to inform you that he has seen it fit to promote you. Congratulations Major Storm Front.”
“A promotion? That’s great news! I will have to thank Uncle next time I see him... W-Wait, did you say Peach Mane is dead? What happened? Who is the Earth Pony Representative now?"
“What does it matter who is leader of that rabble?” Brush Stroke spoke up. “I believe the new leader is some mare called Silver Lining, or something ridiculous like that. Spreads ideas of equality for the earth ponies. Ha! Can you believe it? Equality, for that lot. They aren’t magical. They can’t fly. What makes them our equals? Believe me, she will get what’s coming to her.”
“Enough!" Blitz Thunder slammed his hoof down on the table, sending his silverware flying off the table. "Dear, you know how I don’t like political talk over the dinner table."
“Yes, sorry dear. You are right of course. Breakfast is no place for discussing politics. Here, let me go get you some fresh cutlery,” apologized Brush Stroke as she stood up from her chair and went into the kitchen. She soon returned carrying a clean spoon for her husband.
Breakfast went by slowly for Storm Front. His mother and sister discussed art and drawing techniques. Something he did not understand nor payed any attention to. He and his father went discussed recent events in more detail.
“Well, that was a delicious breakfast Mom, Dad. But now if you'll excuse me, I have some things to take care of in the city," said Storm Front as he stood up from the table.
“Very well, you may go. We can catch up some more later, I’m sure,” said Blitz , waving his hoof in the air.
Taking his leave from the table, Storm Front trotted back up to his room and took a quick bath before getting ready to head off into the city. As he was pulling on a warm coat and a nice scarf to shield him from the winter cold, his sister popped her head through the doorway.
“Hey, Velvy. What do you want?”
“I was just wondering where you were heading off to.”
“I don’t see how it’s any of your business,” replied Storm, looking annoyed.
“Oh come on, you can tell me. Please!” pleaded Velvet.
“Ugh! Fine.” Storm chuckled at how much his sister cared. “Hehehe, I still don’t see why you care so much, but if you must know. I’m going to see an old friend.
“Who?” Velvet asked, her curiosity knowing no bounds.
Storm Front sighed as he answered Velvet’s question. “I’m going to see Capriccio, okay.”
“Capriccio? You know Mom and Dad won’t approve of that,” Velvet sternly replied.
“I know, I know. Which is why I need you to promise me that you won’t say anything, okay.”
“Alright, I’ll cover for you... What do you want me to say if they ask me where you went?” Velvet asked.
“I-I don’t know. Tell them I went shopping or something.” Storm’s temper was rising. He wanted to get out of the house and go see his friend, but his sister was holding him up.
“Okie dokie then, see you later, Storm,” Velvet replied as she hopped out of Storm’s room.
“Yeah. Bye. I... And she’s gone. Okay, time to go.”
With that Storm Front was finally able to leave his parent’s house. He flew off into the air and made his way to the Slums District of Canterlot. If he was going to find Capriccio, it would be there. Capriccio da Capo, a unicorn, was an earth pony sympathizer. In the past, the two of them didn’t see eye to eye on the treatment of the earth ponies. Capriccio saw it as the biggest issue of their lifetime, and Storm Front couldn’t care less. The way he saw it was that if it didn’t affect him, why should he bother caring about it. At least that’s what he used to think. Storm soon found himself in the impoverished area of Canterlot, and he quickly landed on the streets below to begin to look for his good unicorn friend.
Storm Front found the bar that his old friend frequented. It was a rundown little place that had a stench that could be smelled from the street. Why Capriccio came to this place bewildered Storm Front. Storm could hear the soft playing of a violin, which made it clear that his friend was inside. Taking a deep breath, Storm Front trotted into the establishment silently, so as not to disturb his friend’s performance. The floorboards creaked with each step he took.
Capriccio was a great violin player, and his cutie mark, which was a violin, backed up his talent. Storm Front spotted his old friend on a small stage, his dark brown coat and black mane illuminated by a single lantern. All of the bar’s patrons were captivated by Capriccio’s playing. For a moment Storm Front was lost in the music, and he forgot that he was in bar that should have been condemned. Capriccio was playing a somber piece. Capriccio also was lost in music that he was playing. His eyes were closed, with a few tears running down his cheeks. His body swayed back and forth as he put every ounce of his talent to playing this one piece for the small earth pony crowd in front of him.
When Capriccio finished the piece, the small crowd that was in the bar loudly stomped their hooves on the ground, showing their appreciation. Capriccio stood up from the stool he was sitting on, gave a quick bow, and trotted right off the stage as he magically stowed away his violin. He walked over to the bartender to get Storm Front and him a drink, and joined his old friend at his table.
“I’m surprised to see you here, Captain Storm Front,” said Capriccio with a smile as he took a seat across from his friend.
“Yeah, me too. And it appears that it's Major Storm Front now,” replied Storm Front, rubbing his neck with a hoof.
“Oh, look at you. A big, hotshot Major. Ooooo.” Capriccio gave a hearty laugh as he gave his friend a quick friendly punch on the shoulder. “What brings you to my neck of the woods anyways?”
“What?! I can’t come down and surprise my friend with a visit,” replied Storm Front as he took a sip of his ale.
“Well... yes. But you usually have me come up to your house, or meet up at a restaurant uptown.” Capriccio’s eyed his friend with a confused face, for his actions were very unlike him.
“Well, the reason I came here to find you was because I wanted to discuss the Earth Ponies’ situation,” responded Storm Front who leaned closer to his friend and brought his voice down to a whisper.
His friend, who had been drinking his ale, started coughing upon hearing Storm Front’s response.
“OH GOD! I knew it would come to this one day,” spat Capriccio, as he slammed his hoof on the table, his eyes widening. “Lavaliere ordered the earth ponies out of the city, didn’t she? And she ordered your uncle to help carry it out too, I bet. Thank you for...,” Capriccio’s rant was cut off by Storm Front, who gave him a quick slap to the face.
“OW! What was that for?” yelped Capriccio as he rubbed his cheek.
“First off, none of what you said is even remotely true, and I didn’t want you to start freaking out the other ponies in the bar,” replied Storm Front as he sat back down in his chair. Capriccio head swiveled left and right, noticing that some of the patrons were eyeing the pair with weird looks.
“Oh, I’m sorry Storm... Well then, what did you come here to talk about?”
“Well, as I was going to say before you went off on your little tantrum, I have decided that I want to help you in your endeavors to bring equality for the earth ponies.”
“What! Seriously! This is great news!” shouted Capriccio with a shocked expression. “We have so many things to talk about. Oh! I’m going to have to introduce you to Silver Lining. And... wait.” A calm demeanor came over Storm Front’s friend as he eyed his friend with scrutinizing eyes.
“You never took interest in the earth ponies’ plight before, no matter how much I tried to convince you. Why the change of heart?”
“Well if you must know. Something happened during my last scouting mission to Griffin Territory...”
~~~
Storm Front was flying out of Griffin Territory. It was a particularly cloudy night, and I thought that the cloud cover would allow me to slip out unnoticed. But as he was flying through the thick cloud, he felt like something, or someone was following him. Out of nowhere something grabbed him from behind. Spinning around, Storm Front found himself face to face with a griffin. With quick thinking he flew down out of the cloud. The griffin clawed at Storm's hooves and wings. Warm blood ran down his legs and back. He could see Canterlot off in the horizon, but he knew that he was too far to call for help. Storm Front was severely outmatched, and he started to think that it might be the end. Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from bellow, and the griffin chasing Storm Front let out a loud roar as it clutched its chest and plummeted to the ground. Looking in the direction the sound came from, Storm saw a pony holding a large musket that was pointed in the air. Storm was coming at the ground way too fast, but with the state his wings were in, there was not much he could do about it. He collided with the cold, hard ground and soon passed out.
When he awoke, he was no longer outside on the cold dirt. He felt the warmth of a fire, and a soft blanket covering wrapped over him. His wings and hooves were bandaged, and a bowl of warm carrot soup was sitting next to him on a small bedside table. He grabbed it instantly and started gobbling it down. An old earth pony stallion walked into the room. Storm Front instantly recognized him as the pony who took out the griffin. His mane and tail was an aging grey, and his probably once orange coat, has lost some of its bright sheen in his old age. When he spoke, it was in a soft, deep voice that Storm found very calming in his current state.
“Oh good, you’re up.” He pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed Storm Front was laying on.
“You had me worried there for a bit. I was starting to wonder if you would ever wake up.”
“How... How long was I out,” Storm asked, each breath causing a sharp pain in his sides.
“About a week and a half. Now not another word, you need your rest. You broke a few of your ribs, and one of your wings in that fall of yours. It’s going to be a couple weeks before you’re able to travel again, so you are welcome to stay here while your body heals itself. I mean, it’s the least I can do for Captain Storm Front, the pegasus that led the battle against the griffins at Red Gulch.”
“Y-you know who I am?” Storm replied, surprised that this simple earth pony farmer knew his name.
“Well, of course. What pony doesn’t know Captain Storm Front by now. If it weren’t for you, griffins would have taken me and my farm out by now.”
“Why are you living so close to griffin territory?” Storm asked. He found it odd for a pony at such an age to be living so far from the city.
“If you must know, it is that blasted Queen Lavaliere, and her damn laws,” the old pony grunted, an irate look came across his face.
“What do you mean?” asked Storm.
“Well, one of her laws states that you must have a certain acreage of farmland if you wish to farm closer to the city. Problem is, poor farmers like myself, who are only able to hire themselves and their families to work the land, don’t have the bits to afford the amount of land she’s asking for. So we are pushed out to the outskirts, toward griffin territory.”
“I-I’m sure there is a good reason for it, or it wouldn’t be a law.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure there’s a good reason for it. Like making it able for her to keep the poorer farmers away from her ‘great’ city,” the old stallion replied sarcastically, his temper rising.
The stallion gave a heavy, defeated sigh. “Nonetheless, here I am at the end of my days. Not much I can do about it now anyways. Besides, if I weren’t here now, your flank would have bitten the dust... Try to get some rest, I have crops to attend to.”
With that the old stallion got up from the chair and began to trot out of the small shack I was in.
“Wait!” Storm called out before the old stallion left the room.
“What?” he asked.
“What’s your name?
“Oh, how rude of me. Of course. My name is Danvers, but you can call me Dan.”
“Well Dan,” Storm Front started to say as he propped myself up against the headboard. “I am in forever in your debt. Thank you,” he said while mustering the most thankful smile he could in the amount of pain he was in.
“Don’t worry about it. What are we if we don’t help out a fellow pony in need?” With that he turned and headed outdoors to tend to his small field of carrots.
What Dan said lingered in Storm Front's mind for a while. This stranger helped him out in my hour of need, without asking for anything in return. He knew his name. He knew that Storm Front probably had a vast amount of money, and yet he asked for nothing. It was then that Storm Front started to think that all the things his mom said about earth ponies was all malarkey. Then and there, he realized that earth ponies could have just as much worth as a pegasus or a unicorn, if not more.
~~~
“After a couple weeks, I was completely healed. I gave my thanks to Danvers and flew home. I knew that there had to be something I could do for the earth ponies. It was then that I got the idea to come and find you, and here I am,” Storm Front said, finishing his tale.
When Storm Front finished his story, Capriccio got up from his chair and walked over to his friend and planted his forehooves on his friend’s shoulders.
“Welcome to the fight brother!” Capriccio exclaimed before giving Storm Front a quick hug. “There is just so much we have to talk about. I actually have some plans laid out, and... Oh! I have to introduce you to Silver Lining.”
“Silver Lining. She’s the new Earth Pony Representative, right?”
“Yes, and she is leading the fight to bring equality to the earth ponies. She’s probably downstairs in the basement giving one of her speeches now,” answered Capriccio as he dragged his friend toward the bar.
“The basement? Why would she be in the basement?... Wait... This isn’t just a shitty old bar is it, Capriccio?” Storm Front flatly asked.
Capriccio laughed. The fact that it took his friend this long to figure out this place was more than just a bar was quite amusing to him. "Storm, you think I would repeatedly come to this hell hole for the drinks and the warm company."
Capriccio led his friend over to the bar. The pegasus bartender that owned the bar was wiping some cups dry.
“What can I get you two today?” the bartender asked.
“I will have the Red and Black,” Capriccio answered.
“Capriccio, I don’t see that drink–” Storm Front stated.
“Hush now, Storm,” Capriccio said, silencing his friend.
The bartender gave a quick nod, and said, “Come with me.”
The duo followed the bartender, who led them to the basement door. With a large key, he unlocked the door to the basement. He pulled the large wooden door open and gestured toward the two ponies to head down the dark staircase.
“Liberté, égalité, fraternité,” the bartender whispered as Storm Front and Capriccio passed him and walked down the stairs into the basement.
“What in the world does that mean?” Storm Front asked as the two head down the stairs, while the bartender closed the door behind them.
“The hell if I know, he says that to everypony who comes here in support of the cause.”
The two made their way into the basement where Silver Lining was holding her secret meeting. Soon Storm Front would get to meet the great Silver Lining that he has heard much about in the past few hours.
