//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Virtues of Harmony // by SkylertKlaw //------------------------------// Chapter 4: A New Storm "Just a little more to the left Score!" A yellow skinned pegasus with long brown hair gives directions to his younger brother. A blue pegasus with dull grey hair as the latter moves several cloud buildups around. A worried expression on his face. Score turns to Hoops, sweat running down his forehead. "Why is the wind acting like this?" He asked his older brother, the latter pushing another cloud away from them. "Who knows?" He put his hoof up, feeling the wind, But I think it's starting to die down, so we must be doing SOMETHING right." Score let out a sigh of relief at this. Neither one of them had any idea how the windbursts got out of control. Everything was going fine today until the violent winds started up. The only reason either of them could think of how they got out of control is that either Ditzy Doo screwed up again or someone else decided to play a cruel joke on them. "Damage report, now!" A new voice says, from behind the two pegasai. Hoops turned around to see who was it that arrived. "Huh? Oh hey, its Rainbow and...SKY FIRE?" Score turns with a shocked look as Hoops approaches them. The former leader of Ponyville's weather team raised an eyebrow at his expression. Rainbow couldn't help but snicker a bit at the surprised look on either of their faces as Sky Fire just folded his front legs. "Are you done staring at me already?" He asked. Hoops reared back quickly at that. "It IS you. When you'd get back?" Hoops shook his head, refocusing on the task at hand "Er, anyway, I think we've just about got the windbursts under control." Sky Fire gave a look to Rainbow. Motioning his head at her to check and see if their claim was even valid. Rainbow nodded and flew a bit closer to one of the clouds. She turned back to the three stallions and smirked. "Well I'll be, you're right. Looks like you guys're learning after all." She said. Hoops chuckled a bit. "Er, thanks I think." Sky Fire's eyes narrow some. There was something about the windbursts that made his tail fur stand up. He had felt this kind of feeling before when he was away. In the back of his mind he prayed that it wasn't who he was thinking of. "Wait, something's wrong here..." He glanced to the others, "The windburts are starting to get under control, but something else is upsetting them..." "Hmm...now that you mention it, Score did swear he got the manuvers right...you think something else is causing this?" Dash looked around before shrugging her shoulders. "Maybe, but I don't see what. It can't be a dragon, we'd know that by now if it was. Whatcha think, Sky?" Sky Fire is silent. He knew only one pony that could have upset the wind like this. But that couldn't be possible. The last time he faced that pony was before he came back. His nostrils flared some as he tried to find the culprit of the windbursts. His eyes widen as he saw a small spark of electricity building up in one cloud. "Get down!" He shouted, pushing Rainbow out of the way just in the nick of time. A blast of electricity barely skinned his left wing making him flinch in pain. "GCK!" "SKY FIRE!" Rainbow shouted, quickly grabbing him before he lost his balance. Hoops turned to the source, his mane fur puffing up at the static electricity in one cloud. "Wh-What the heck?" He managed to spurt out. Noticing the clouds were slowly parting. Sky Fire grunted in pain as his left wing stopped aching from the electric attack he took. "I knew it..." He said, gritting his teeth. Floating in the air was not a dragon or bird of any sort. A dark grey electric alicorn pony, hovered in front of them. The alicorn was just as tall, if not taller, than Princess Celestia was. His mane and tail shared the same colors of black and white. The alicorn's cutie mark was straight to the point, a dark storm cloud with multiple thunderbolts flying down from it. His light gray eyes full of electricity as he glares at Sky Fire. "There you are, Sky Fire..." He said, his very voice making the clouds rumble all around them. "Did you really think that you would not see me again? Oh no, after the trouble you caused me in Rainyville, you must have known that I would find you again..." Sky Fire groaned as he landed on a cloud. He dragged one hoof across it as he glared back at the alicorn. His left wing still felt somewhat numb from the blast from earlier. But that wasn't what was really worrying him now. The others had to get away before things got really ugly. "Rainbow, get the guys out of here...I'm handling this alone." He said. Rainbow narrowed her eyes in annoyance at his order. "Excuse me? Since when did you coming back meant that you can give me orders?" She asked. "Hmph," The alicorn scoffed, "You best do what he says, little mare. You have no idea just what kind of trouble this colt has caused for me..." "Do you even know who you're talking to?" She asked, landing beside Sky Fire as Hoops and Score flew away to find help. "I'm the one and only Rainbow Dash! I can take you down, ten, seconds, flat." She bragged, hoping that her bravado would make this new foe back off. "Be silent!" The alicorn snapped at her. His stormy grey eyes glanced back to Sky Fire, "This one here, he took away that which is rightfully mine!" "More like took it back, you stole it from the ponies in Rainyville and never stopped your storms!" Sky Fire shouted back, his tail now appearing to be set on fire. The alicorn reared on his back legs, electricity gathered around his horn quickly as thunder exploded behind him. "Silent! You dare talk back to me? The only rightful ruler to this land?" Sky Fire's wings opened back up as his foe readied an attack. Rainbow noticed this as well and quickly followed him into the air as well. "I, Storm Rider, shall take what is mine...but I shall remove you from this world first!" Storm Rider fired a blast of electricity out at the two ponies, forcing them to dodge the attack. Sky Fire spun around in a roll quickly, but he winced some as his left wing stings from the earlier attack. He had dealt with Storm Rider's attacks before back in Rainyville, but he knew that out in the open skies that fighting him would be even more difficult. He glanced back to Rainbow, not wanting her to get caught in the cross fire. "Dash, go, now!" He said, "I'll hold him off, get back to Ponyville and get everyone to safety!" "I..." She looked at Storm Rider, then to Sky Fire, then back again a few times. Finally, she let out a deep sigh of defeat, "Fine...but I swear, if you do something stupid like die, I'll bring you back to life and CLOBBER you!" He just gave a slight smirk as one of his eyes glanced back to her. "Sounds like a 'date', then, Dashie girl." He said right before he flew straight at Storm Rider. Fire trailed behind him as the two foes slam into one another. Storm Rider let loose sparks of power as he and Sky Fire clash in midair. If Rainbow was going to have a chance to return back to Ponyville, he would have to draw Storm Rider away from her fast. He quickly threw a front hoof punch across Storm Rider's face, then flew into the skies above them. Storm Rider fell for the bait. Hatred consumed his eyes as he flew after the white pegasus. With each flap of his wings, it sounded like thunder was exploding around him. Rainbow took this advantage and quickly flew away. Before she was out of sight, she turned back to look at the fight, her body shaking some. "...Be careful." She whispered, racing back to Ponyville for help as fast as she could. Sky Fire continued to fly up higher and higher until he noticed Rainbow was no more than a spec below him. He smiled at this. With a quick loop de loop, he flew straight down towards his foe, who was already preparing another blast of electricity for him. Sky Fire's wings began to flap harder, a warm heat began to form behind him. "You remember this one, don't you Storm Rider?" He asked, his eyes glinted once, "Afterburner!" With a sudden burst of speed, Sky Fire zoomed towards the electric alicorn. A fiery shield formed around him as he got closer and closer. Storm Rider though was more than prepared for the coming attack. He fired his attack at the speeding Sky Fire. Their two elements clashed into one another, setting the light blue skies into a combination of fire red and lighting white. XxXxX "Everypony calm down!" The mayor of Ponyville said, addressing the masses, including Twilights group, outside the main building as best as she could. "Billy has informed me that his associates are working on this mishap as we speak. I'm certain that the wind will be under control in no-" "HELP! EMERGENCY!" Hoops shouted as he rushed in, Score close behind him. The Mayor blinked at their sudden appearance. She didn't like to be interuppted often, but the look of sheer terror on their faces made it an exception for her. "What's wrong, you two?" She asked. Hoops flew up to her, and even through his thick mane she could see his eyes. "There's a psycho electric alicorn at the weather station! He caused the windbursts and now he's attacking Rainbow and Sky!" Twilight blinked at what Hoops said. She had read about an electric alicorn in one of her books during her studies, but she didn't expect him to actually exist. Then again, no one expected that the Nightmare Moon event would have happened either. Her mind raced to find the name of the alicorn, then her eyes widened. "Do you mean Storm Rider? Princess Celestia's former head warrior of legend?" She asked. Spike looked up at her from where he was standing. "Storm Rider? Didn't they say he was in charge of Rainyville sometime ago?" He asked. "Rainyville? They had some kind of ruler there?" Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow at this statement. Fluttershy looked down some, dragging her front left hoof soflty across the floor. "More like a dictator..." She said. The Mayyor nodded her head. "Twilight and Fluttershy are right. Storm Rider USED to be the best warrior Princess Celestia had and was head of Rainyville, but now he's different than before..." Her eyes narrowed, "If he's really here, then this is serious..." "Then what in tarnation is he doing here then?" Applebloom asked, raising an eyebrow up, "I mean, Rainyville is far from here?" Before anyone could answer her question, Pinkie Pie let out a quick shriek of surprise. She pointed above the group, spotting the approaching pegasus coming towards them. "Is that...Rainbow?" Rainbow rushed in, her breathing heavy from flapping her wings so hard. Before anyone could tend to her and make sure she was not injured, she rushed right to the Mayor's stand, taking the microphone away from her quickly. "Anyone who knows how to fight needs to come with me RIGHT NOW PRONTO! That psycho's fighting Sky Fire right now and he needs help!" There's a thunderous clap from the sky, making Fluttershy squeak in terror. Twilight leaned her head back, her eyes shrunk as the battle above them rages on. Rainbow's eyes shrunk as an electric blast goes off, smacking into her friend at full force. Ponyville's former weather patrol leader flew towards the ground from this attack before slamming into the ground a few yards away from Ponyville. "No!" Rainbow shouted, rushing to the spot where he landed. She was unaware however of the approaching Storm Rider, who landed a few feet away from them. Sky Fire coughed some as he forced himself up. His body was beaten badly and shocked, but that didn't stop him from standing. He glared at his foe, Storm Rider, who is equally burnt from their battle. The two of them panting from exhaustion as they stare each other down. The rest of the group, including some from Ponyville, ran towards where the three were now. Twilight's eyes shrink as she noticed Storm Rider standing alone. "That is Storm Rider!" She said, trembling some, "The legendary warrior!" "Why's he here though?" Rarity screams, but the thunder above seemed to mute her question. Storm Rider dragged his hoof across the ground. Sky Fire coughed some more again, but didn't allow himself to fall over as Rainbow came up to him, checking his bruises and scratches. Rainbow glared at Storm Rider, whose horn was crackling with electricity again. "You bastard!" Rainbow rushed up and full on tacklesd Storm Rider to the ground. She began to punch the alicorn across the face a couple of times before he eventually threw her off with a quick heave. As Rainbow regained her balance in midair, the Mayor rushes out with several guards surrounding her. "Storm Rider! As Mayor of Ponyville, I am placing you under arrest for assault, endangerment and all the crimes you committed in Rainyville! Come quietly and you won't be harmed...well, not anymore than you are already." "You dare order me?" His horn flashed as a thunder rumbles again, before lighting seperates him from the others. "I should send all of you into a comatose for your ignorance!" Sky Fire groaned. He stoods up some, glaring at Storm Rider. "Stay...back..." He said, taking a step forward, "He's mine, not your's..." Rainbow flew back to him, keeping him from falling. "Are you NUTS? You're already half dead!" She looks up above her, nodding to two of the trio from Cloudsdale above them, "Hoops! Billy!" "Right!" The two of them start spinning around, creating a dense orb of wind together. Smirking some, Score took it and launched it directly at Storm Rider. Sky Fire's eyes shrink as he notices the wind orb approaching his foe. "No, don't!" It was too late. Storm Rider just smirked as the wind orb floated harmlessly in front of him. Hoops and Billy's eyes nearly jumped out of their skulls at the sight of this. Rainbow looked flabbergasted at the fact the wind orb stopped in its track. "You fools! My name is Storm Rider! I control the forces that create storms!" Storm Rider stomped on the ground, the wind orb that Billy and Hoops created was sent flying back at the two of them. The two pegasai quickly dodged the attack, but nearly got hit by their own attack. Sky Fire snarled as a small ring of fire began to form around him. "There is one thing you can't control...fire..." He flapped his wings sending the ring of fire straight at his foe. Storm Rider growled as the right of fire flew straight at him. With a flap of one wing, a powerful gust slammed into Sky Fire's attack, the two attacks canceling each other out. "You are strong," Storm Rider mused, "but you never could match my power..." Rainbow watched from the sidelines for a few seconds. Her eyes glanced over to Sky Fire then back to Storm Rider. Another gust of wind forming around the alicorn suddenly. There had to be something they could do to gain the advantage against this new foe. A smile grew on her face an an idea finally came to her head. She turned to Twilight. "Twilight! When I give the single, use your magic to ignite that wind!" She doesn't even wait for a response as she immediately starts spinning around the hot wind, building it up. Storm Rider watches the light blue mare continue to spin around. "What is she...?" Fluttershy gapes as the battle unfolds. Sky Fire glanced to Rainbow, now just as confused as Fluttershy is. "Rainbow, what are you-" He suddenly groaned out in pain as an electric blast hits his leg. Storm Rider just spits as he glares at Sky Fire. His stormy grey eyes darkening with the power he held behind them. "Look at you," Storm Rider said, "Weak and broken, hurt by a simple attack...some leader that you were for that little resistance force." Sky Fire growled at Storm Rider's comment. The events from Rainyville filling his mind even during the hot battle. "Shut your mouth..." "Yet you don't deny it? Your past returns to you, Sky Fire...because of you, so many innocents were hurt in the cross fire." Storm Rider taunted. The white pegasus snarled he glared at Storm Rider. Rainbow growls, her dislike for the alicorn was growing more and more as she continued to spin around. "You...YOU SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH YOU FREAK!" She shouted. Her speed became ultra fast as she spun the hot wind into a small cyclone which formed into a small tornado as she suddenly flies out as the tornado barrels towards Storm Rider. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Twilight. "NOW!" Twilight blinked at first, but she lets loose a magical spell towards the cyclone, unsure what Rainbow was planning. The tornado suddenly ignites into a special flame pillar harmful only to its target, in this case Storm Rider, which the flame tornado then barrels into. "AAAAAAAGH!" Storm Rider yelled out from the tornado, obviously hurt by the attack, but he glares at Rainbow in anger. "You...how dare you strike me?" Sky Fire snarls as he pushes himself back up again, not letting his screaming muscles stop him from moving. With a boost of speed, he used another Afterburner attack to hit Storm Rider in the chest at full force. The alicorn grunted in annoyance at the attack, but flapped his wings to get above the group. He gave a slight smirk at them as his body didn't even seem to have any sign of wearing down. "Not too bad...but don't think that this is the end my young friends. I will have my vengeance, one way or another." Storm Rider's smirk turned into a dark smile, "And all...shall know the power of the true master of this world..." Just as soon as he appeared, Storm Rider vanished away from everyone in a crack of lighting. Sky Fire struggled to stand up once again, but keeled over before gasping in pain as his legs shook violently. "Sky Fire!" Rainbow rushed up to him and helps him stand. The Mayor sighs deeply at the small battlefield that took place outside her town. Her eyes narrowed before turning to the guards. "Contact the Princesses and tell them what has happened! I want guards posted throughout the town 24/7!" The guards saluted quickly before disappearing. The mane cast however stayed close to the battlefield. "What now?" Applejack asks. Twilight sighed as she looks up at the dark stormy clouds above them. "Honestly, Applejack? I really don't know..." To be continued...