//------------------------------// // Side Effects Include... // Story: Not a Cloud In the Sky // by OutOfTheBlue //------------------------------// After disembarking the train, the newly formed Ponyville branch of the Cloud family had an exciting task ahead of them... unpacking their belongings and organizing their new home. Needless to say it had been a long day. Cloud and Pandora sighed wearily as they settled into their bed. Their new home was bigger, and much nicer. It had larger rooms, and two more rooms than their old one. Aqua was set up in the attic (which he had chosen rather than the proffered room) and the master bedroom was as far away as possible (for obvious reasons.) Cloud planted a kiss on her cheek before going to brush his teeth. His entire body hurt, and his healing body was begging for him to sleep. He got into bed as Pandora performed her nightly routine. As they settled together Pandora rolled over and wrapped him in a hug. She kissed him and Cloud pulled her closer. She hummed before saying, "You know, we have time to have some 'fun' before going to sleep. If you're feeling up to it." Cloud perked up. As tired as he was, his changeling needed him... and she was hot. He grinned mischievously, "I'm always up for some fun." She laughed before kissing him again. This continued for a while until things started heating up. Just when it was getting good Cloud gave a muffled yell as his side was wracked with pain. Dammit! Stupid ribs! Pandora gasped before pulling away to just a comfortable hug. Cloud sighed, "When will things go back to normal, no broken bones, no memory issues, no looking over our shoulders in fear of before discovered." Pandora nodded before pressing her cheek into his neck. He settled against her and slowly drifted of to sleep. --------------------------- "I'm sorry Mr. Flambé, but I can't play just yet. As soon as the doctor gives me the all clear." The yellow unicorn sighed. Hot Flambé owned Ponyville's only restaurant for fine dining and was Cloud's new boss. "Well I was HOPING to have you play today but APPARENTLY I can never catch a break. Just heal faster, ok." He turned and trotted back to the kitchen. Flambé was a nice enough pony, but he was a little... "WHAT IS THIS GARBAGE! YOU'RE A DISGRACE!!!" Shouty, he often shouted unintelligibly. Cloud wheeled himself out the door and into the main street. He got more than a few stares as he went, but no one stopped him. He saw that Mrs. Cake was manning the register at Sugar Cube Corner, and, seeing the coast was clear, decided to pick up a snack. Upon entering he immediately had a concerned Mrs. Cake worrying over him. "Oh dear! What happened! Are you alright?" He gently moved her hoof away from his chin and said, "There was a slight problem on the job and... this happened." Mrs. Cake sighed before pulling him into a hug. She was almost like a second mom to all the ponies in town because she was so sweet all the time. "That's just terrible, first the cupcake incident and now this. Bad luck just seems to always be following you." He laughed at how accurate that statement was. He patted her on the back. He didn't alow many people to hug him, but he just couldn't saw no to her. She handed him a bag with a loaf of bread in it and patted him on the shoulder. "Take care sweetie! Come back soon." "I will, see ya." Cloud wheeled himself out the door. He was almost halfway home when he paused at who was standing outside the library. "Hiya Cloud, how you holding up?" Cloud barely muffled a whimper. He really didn't want to deal with this right now. The six mares who had been causing him pain for as long as he was in Ponyville. They formed a loose semi-circle in front of him. They all had smiles pasted on (except Fluttershy who was hiding behind her mane.) Rainbow Dash flew forward and held a hoof out. He flinched away before attempting to turn down a side street. They followed him despite his obvious attempts to avoid them. "Sugar cube, ya can't ahvoid us ferever. We're mighty sorry about tha whole mess what got you in that wheelchair. So please, let us make it up to ya." Cloud looked around at the smiling mares surrounding him. To say he was uncomfortable was an understatement. He started frantically looking for an escape route, he was not going back to the hospital. Twilight's ears drooped. "Your not scared of us, are you?" "More like every time I get stuck talking with you I wind up in the hospital. So please, let me go home." Twilight looked like she was going to protest but Rarity placed a hoof on her shoulder and shook her head. Cloud nodded his thanks before wheeling himself home. As Cloud, Pandora, and Aqua sat down to lunch, Cloud pointed at the book filled saddlebags beside the door. "Ready for school tomorrow?" Aqua nodded excitedly. "I'm so excited! I'm going to make so many friends, and learn stuff, and eat during class..." "Quick tip, hide your candy in your saddlebags and chew on your tongue while she's looking at you. She won't be able to tell if you're chewing candy or nothing and after you show her it's not candy, she'll stop asking." Pandora raised her eyebrows. "Aren't you supposed to tell him to behave?" Cloud shrugged. "Not really. Besides, I managed to avoid being hospitalized by those six mares so I seem to be doing ok for myself." Pandora rolled her eyes. "Whatever, tomorrow's going to be a big day so we better be ready." They all nodded and that night both Aqua and his newfound parents worked on their respective projects until well until the night. But while Aqua was thinking up ways to make friends, Cloud and Pandora were trying to plan a wedding. But unfortunately, you can't plan a wedding without knowing how wedding normally occurs. Cloud sighed, "I guess tomorrow I'll go read up on wedding ceremonies while you pick out a dress you like, or the venue, or the cake. You know what, screw it, we're getting a planner to help us." "Is there even a wedding planner in town?" Pandora asked. Cloud shrugged before heading into the bedroom. "If they don't, we'll look for one in another town. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go collapse in bed." Pandora looked from the stack of paper in front of her to the door her fiancé had just walked through. "Right behind you!"