Through Wind and Rain

by xSirius

Chapter 3: Two Hearts Beating as One

Glass littered the floor as Twilight jumped back. Rainbow trotted in with a mouthful of hay fries, her eyes scanning the room for the source of the sound. They located the scattered shards of glass strewn across the floor and looked at the window. Rain and ice fell into the house while strong winds carried debris inside. Sticks, twigs, and even small rocks were being thrown into the library. Twilight had to jump to her left to avoid being beamed in the head by a stray branch.

Twilight hastily moved a bookshelf in front of the broken window and let out a sigh of relief when it was fully covered. The faint battering of rain against the back of the bookshelf made Twilight uneasy, and it showed. Rainbow swallowed the hay fries and trotted over to her friend, putting a hoof on her shoulder. "Are you alright, Twi? You don't look so good."

She looked at Rainbow and was met with soft, concerned eyes. "I'm alright, Rainbow. Thank you." She smiled gratefully at her. "I just don't like this storm, it seems...rather unnatural, don't you think?"

Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, it does seem a bit off. You'd think it have ran out of energy by now. I mean, where is it getting all this water anyways?"

Twilight was about to ask the same thing. It seemed like this storm was producing its own water; it never seemed to stop. "Wait a minute. If it's been producing all this water, why isn't the town flooded yet?"

Rainbow put a hoof to her chin and shrugged. "I have no idea, Twilight. Maybe the water isn't water? Maybe its magical water?"

Twilight giggled. "Rainbow, clouds can't make magical water, it's impossible."

She scratched her mane. "That's not what I meant though, Twilight."

She rose a brow. "Hmm?"

"What if, the storm was magical too? That would make sense to why the Weather Patrol wouldn't be able to fix it."

Twilight's eyes widened. "I...Rainbow...That's very possible! That would explain a lot, but who, or what, would be causing it?"

"Hey, don't make me think too much, now." Rainbow shrugged.

"Hmm..." Twilight began to pace around the library, delved deep into thought.

Rainbow watched her impatiently. She hated when Twilight thought really hard about stuff, especially around her. It was boring, and it sometimes made her feel stupid. She thought about going back into the kitchen to snag some more hay fries, but she really wasn't that hungry in the first place. She only went into the kitchen so Twilight didn't notice her blushing as well. She had nearly done it earlier. She had nearly broken down a wall she dared never to break when it came to Twilight: admitting her affection.

She liked Twilight, sure. She would never tell her to her face, but she did. She didn't really know why it was that way, but she didn't argue it. Her parents always told her to follow her heart, and she believed them. That's how they found each other, and that's how she would find her own. Granted, both of their hearts led them to each other, she believed that if she really tried, she could get Twilight to fall in love with her, but she couldn't make it obvious. Otherwise, she'd scare her away. Last night was the beginning of her plan. She hadn't lied when she told Twilight she wanted to make sure she was safe, but she also didn't tell the complete truth either.

She had also arrived to win Twilight's heart.

She knew deep inside that Twilight liked her. She had to. That hug, the behavior, the blush, it's not like she was completely oblivious. She knew that the mare had to have some attraction towards her, the problem being as to how to bring that attraction out. When Rainbow thought about it, a realization came to her: there were multiple ways. She could force it out, she could tease it out, or she could wait it out. All three of these options appealed to her, but for very different reasons.

If she chose to force it out of Twilight, that would cause her to be very unsure of their relationship. She was obviously in a fragile state, and bringing it out like that wouldn't be healthy for her emotional case. All it would take would be a touch or a kiss and Twilight would be hers, but in there relied another problem which would be that Twilight would be too easy to manipulate. By doing that, forcing the attraction out that is, she would immediately assert dominance over the relationship and she didn't want that.

If she teased it out, which looked most promising at first, it would take a bit longer than forcing it, but it would be quicker than waiting for weeks on end for Twilight to come to terms with herself. All she'd have to do is remain as close as possible. Maybe make an innuendo here or there, and generally tease her like she did the boys at the Wonderbolt Academy for their money or food (She wasn't proud of it, but if she needed some bits for lunch, she could always rely on the gullible boys to just hoof them over.). It would be fun, but the problem would become apparent almost immediately. She would possibly end up being counterproductive by intimidating Twilight out of it and completely sealing herself off from emotion. That, and she could tear herself on the inside if she did feel the same about her, but was unsure about it. She probably thought that it was wrong in the first place.

The final option was to wait it out, but she didn't appeal to this idea well at all. It would mean waiting forever, or it would mean waiting three seconds, but she wasn't comfortable in taking the gamble. Admittedly, it would be much easier on Twilight to come to the decision herself, but it would be hell on Rainbow's psyche. She'd been waiting for a while now, and she thought it was about time she got what she wanted, but at the same time, her heart contradicted her mind and said that waiting for Twilight to come to her senses would be much better for her, and for the relationship that she wanted so badly, but refused to show for it.

Rainbow was snapped out of her fix as a loud THUMP followed by a high-pitched shriek from Twilight made her ears ring. She looked over and saw Twilight, wide-eyed, scooting closer to her. Rainbow put on a confident smile and put a hoof around Twilight. "Don't worry, Twilight! With me at your side, you'll always be safe!"

All of a sudden the floor and walls vibrated and a deep groan resonated through the library as if the tree was trying to warn them of danger. The groan had started to cease when a flash of lightning illuminated the sky and icy rain blew in, hitting the two mares and sending shivers down both of their spines. Twilight's eyes were wide and she moved closer to Rainbow Dash, unsure of how to deal with the situation. Rainbow shielded them both with her wings, blocking the rain from getting to them.

"We need to barricade it better!" Twilight exclaimed.

"With what?! The bookshelf idea obviously didn't work!"

Twilight thought rapidly, hoping to come across some idea of what to do next, when the deep groan returned, except this time, the volume was multiplied by a factor of ten, deafening them. Twilight dared to look out the window, past Rainbow's wing, and saw something that wrenched her guts.

The clouds were beginning to rotate.

"Rainbow, we need to find cover, now!" The wind and rain whipped her mane like crazy, pulling it back and forth. Her tail fared no better.

"What?! I can't hear you!"

Twilight gritted her teeth against the wind. "WE NEED TO GET SOMEWHERE SAFE! THERE IS A TORNADO!"

Rainbow's eyes widened. "TORNADO?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! HOW IS THERE A TORNADO?!"

"I MIGHT KNOW, BUT RIGHT NOW, WE NEED T-" The sound of her voice was lost as the immense winds ripped it out of the air.

"TWILIGHT, STAY NEAR ME!"

Spike ran into the room, "TWILIGHT, RAINBOW! TO THE CELLAR, HURRY!" He ran into the kitchen.

Rainbow expanded both her wings, now having to block debris as well, to shield Twilight and began to lead her into the kitchen. Once Twilight managed to enter the kitchen, she looked back at Rainbow, who continued to urge her into the cellar, who face twisted in agony. Spike was waiting at the door of the cellar, which was the same color as the rest of the walls, and hurriedly gestured them inwards. Rainbow pushed Twilight in then ushered Spike in as well.

"DOES THIS DOOR HAVE A LOCK?!" She asked.

"YES!" Spike yelled back. "COME ON!"

Rainbow jumped in and Twilight shut the door, latching it shut. The cellar was small, only barely fitting the three. Old books, dust, cobwebs, and old gardening supplies like hoes and trowels adorned the walls. Gray moss was sporadically scattered along the ancient cement walls and a single light-bulb in the center of the room was the only source of light. They could hear the moaning protest of the giant oak tree, refusing to give way to the powerful winds that battered its strong, thick trunk. Twilight hugged herself and started to cry.

Rainbow Dash's ears lowered and she felt like crying too; for multiple reasons. She was crying, which was the main reason, but the town she came to know and love was about to be completely destroyed and ravaged by some out of control tornado, and she was here in a cellar with Spike and...her. She turned to Twilight, frowning. She watched Twilight cry, unsure of what to do: Stay here with her friend, or go out there and attempt to calm the storm, risking her life. Rainbow Dash was completely cut in half. She knew she should be here with her friend, but she knew she was supposed to go out there and save the town; it was her obligation. She had no idea who to be loyal to, and soon, tears begun to well up in her eyes as well. She knew that no matter what she did, she was picking sides, and she wished she could do both...she wished she could comfort her friend and save every pony else as well...

"Rainbow..." Twilight said meekly.

Rainbow quickly wiped the tears in her eyes and regain her composure. "Yeah, what is it?"

Twilight looked away at first, unsure if this was the time. She had finally looked into herself and found the answer she'd been looking for for so long.. She knew what it all meant. The feeling, the hug, the voice, the blush, she knew what it all meant. She loved Rainbow Dash. It was the only logical conclusion. The feeling...She hadn't recognized it then, because she never felt it before. Looking for answers in books was foolish of her, and only just earlier did it really hit her. The voice in her head...it was her. She could recall the voice now, and she was one-hundred percent sure it was her. The "mare she ought to be" was happy. She ought to be happy, a happy mare, one who followed her heart. Now, as she looked into her heart, all she saw was Rainbow.

She didn't know when she started to feel this way, but a part of her wanted to say that she felt like this the entire time, and only recently did something truly compel her heart to strive to bigger lengths to get her to realize it. That feeling...she knew it was love. She knew it because she felt it, and she felt it because Rainbow Dash was the one. She would've liked to believe that was the reason she never fell for any pony else, because it was waiting for just the right one, just the right pony to fill in everything she wasn't. That pony was Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash. That's all that was on her mind. Even the storm wasn't in the front now. All she could see was her beautiful eyes and her charming smile. She could only imagine her alluring disposition and her admirable stature. Twilight realized that she had been eyeing Rainbow closer than she had thought in all this time. She never wanted to be closer to any pony else, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She couldn't bring herself to be any closer to Rainbow Dash, in fear that she might scare her away. She couldn't let her know of how she felt, she would be made fun of, ridiculed and shunned. A mare and a mare are not supposed to be together, that was what society deemed as "wrong", and Twilight couldn't take being shunned by every pony like that. She couldn't take it, but then, a thought had struck her. It was something that the voice had said moments before she awoke.

'It's not wrong, Twilight. It's-'

She couldn't remember what the last words were, but she didn't need to. She knew what the voice was saying, what she was saying. It wasn't wrong to love another mare, it was only natural. Love is an unstoppable force, one that shines brighter than Celestia's day, one that rivals the beauty of Luna's night, and the only thing that friendship is powerless against. Right then, she knew, that it was foolish to hide her feelings. She knew, that right then, she needed to open her heart, and take a chance. She turned to Rainbow and swallowed thickly. She scooted over to her, wiping the tears from her eyes, and looking into her eyes. Her wonderful, beautiful eyes.

"T-Twilight?" Rainbow held back a blush.

"Yes, Rainbow?" She said, smiling dreamily.

"Are-are you alright?" Rainbow gulped. 'Is-Is this it? Is it going to happen?' She thought hopefully.

"I'm-I'm just fine..." Twilight's heart was skipping beats like a broken metronome.

"You are? But, you were just-" She was interrupted by the feeling of lips against hers. At first, she didn't believe it, but when she looked down, she saw Twilight kissing her, passionately. Her heart began to flutter as she kissed her back, her eyes closed as she lost herself in the kiss.

Twilight continued, unable to stop herself. The kiss was sensual and romantic, the aching feeling that haunted her for so long seemed to now send surges of ecstacy throughout her body. She couldn't help but smile when Rainbow kissed back, and with more force than she anticipated. She was about to break the kiss when she felt a hoof trace the side of her face and wings surround them both. For that moment, Twilight forgot all about the storm, she forgot all about her problems, and she definitely forgot about Spike, who sat there gawking at the two. Right then, she didn't care if anything happened, so long as she was here with her, in her wings, embraced in an unbreakable kiss.

The two separated, a thin string of saliva the only thing connecting the two's lips now. They looked into each other's eyes and smiled warmly, both of them giddy and numb inside, and at the same time, safe and content. Both wanted to be locked in that moment forever, never breaking eye-contact, and never leaving each other's company. Together, their hearts beat as one, and their souls were forever linked, fastened by immense emotion, and powerful loyalty.

Comments

[RabidTonberry]

I think you're doing a good job. I can't wait to see how you finish this.

[pendrake72]

3615807...

Tragedy, by definition & storytelling nature, means no happy ending. For anyone. Even the Bad Guy(s) get no happy ending in a Tragedy story.

If you want a "Bad Guys win" premise &/or ending, the Dark tag is the correct one to use. The Dark tag does NOT mean the Bad Guy(s) are "required" to win, or that the Good Guy(s) "have" to all die, it simply opens up the option(s) for either route(s).

The most famous Romantic Tragedy, Romeo & Juliet, is the obvious but prime example. Both protagonist lovers are torn apart from each other despite their passionate love, they both die (by their own hands at that), and both their once-noble families are gutted from their prideful feud and losses.

So remember these two simplified rules for a Tragedy...
~ 1. Everybody suffers.
~ 2. Nobody wins.

If this is your intended direction with your fan-fiction, then carry on. If you intend for your characters to suffer, but ultimately triumph over adversity &/or have a (relatively) happy ending, then the Dark tag might be more accurate/correct tag to use.

Hope this helps clarify things for you.

[xSirius]

3620887

It does help, Pendrake. I appreciate your advice greatly. I will keep the Tragedy tag, however I just hope that I manage to touch at least one person with the story. Thank you, again, you've been tremendously helpful.

[pendrake72]

3622553...

Let me add an extra part for clarification of theme... Tragedy does NOT mean everyone (or even anyone) "has" to die, either. "No happy ending for anyone" does not mean the death of characters (protagonists or otherwise), it is just an easy method to use. The really good tragedies are rarely ever so simple as killing the characters...

The Dark King standing "triumphant" over the corpses of the Heroes, only to find he rules over a kingdom of dust & ash. No glory, no feared adulation, and not even an enemy or Hero to rail & rage against. And so he sits upon his cold and cracked throne, struggling to remember why he even started all this or what his end-goal was...

The Star-Crossed Lovers of different worlds (or dimensions) who meet by Cosmic Accident or by Dire Prophecy, struggling against malevolent forces threatening both their worlds. But in the Tragic end, the Lovers are separated by the very same forces that brought them together, in order to end the threat once-&-for-all, preserve their respective worlds, &/or heal/seal the breach that allowed them to meet. So the separated Lovers tearfully gaze at the cold & cruel stars, knowing that the other half of their broken heart is forever out of reach...

The Eternal Hero, blessed & cursed with true immortality (unable to die even if wanting to, even complete disintegration ultimately fails). Forever standing against the endless evils of the world that come again, and again, and again... Locked into purpose, and not even being able to take solace or refuge in insanity...

Get the idea(s)..? A Tragedy does often result in suffering & death, but only the former is a hard-requirement, the latter is more malleable.

[xSirius]

3622845
I gotcha, but I knew that part already ;) Thank you again, you're advice will most definitely help me in the long run.

[Stormgnome]

Rainbow's reasoning about how to approach Twilight was a nice touch.

[FoxyAndPip]

Oh boy HERE COMES THE TRAGEDY!!!