//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: The Dreams We Share // by Silentpegasus //------------------------------// The Dreams We Share Chapter 1 Storm Chaser, a white Pegasus stallion was napping on a dark cloud in the afternoon, he spread his wings and let his white coat soak up the warm rays of Celestia’s sun, his mane and tail were black with red tips, his cutie mark was a red wing with the tips wrapped in black flames. He didn’t know why he enjoyed laying on storm clouds, maybe it was the way his coat shined against the dark clouds or maybe it was from the small amount of electricity that would massage his aching back and wings in all the right places. Storm had moved to Ponyville one month ago from Trottingham, he managed to score a job as a weather pony controlling the clouds on the edge of town. It was a relatively quiet and easy job, his favorite kind. Storm had become friends with a few of the ponies around town, including the farmer Big Macintosh, he was a lot like him in a few ways; quiet, hard working and always up for some cider. Storm had begun to drift off to sleep when he felt the cloud beginning to discharge it’s stored lightning, he looked over the edge to see a cyan Pegasus mare with a flowing rainbow mane kicking his cloud bed. “Hey! I’m sleeping here.” he yelled. The mare suddenly looked at him with a surprised look on her face. “Huh? Sorry, I didn’t think any-pony was up here.” she said with a smile. Storm knew the mare, Rainbow Dash. The self proclaimed ‘Fastest flier in Equestria.' “You’re......sorry what’s your name again?” she said as she landed on the cloud next to him. “It’s Storm Chaser, I was hired last week.” “Right the new guy. What are you doing up here?” “I was napping.” he deadpanned. “On a storm cloud?” she said. “Yes, they’re comfy.” he said as he laid back down on the cloud. “Whatever, WHY are you napping?” “It’s my day off, what else is there to do?” “Tons of stuff!” “Well, that sounds real interesting Skittles, let me know when you’ve thought of something, till then I’ll be here catching some Z’s” he said as he yawned. Rainbow punched him in the shoulder. “Ouch!” “I HATE that nick name!” she said in a stern tone. “I know.” he said with a grin. “Then why do you call me that?” “Seeing you get flustered is too good to resist.” he said in a playful tone, the cyan mare flew off the cloud and gave it a hard kick, making it evaporate. Storm looked at her with an annoyed look on his face as he started to fly in place. “Thanks a lot Rainbow, you just killed my bed.” the cyan mare smiled as she stuck her tongue out at him. “Well, now that you’re done with your nap wanna hang out?” “Fine, what should we do?” Rainbow bit her lip at the thought. “Umm......head over to Sweet Apple Acres?” “Sure, Big Mac might have some work for us to do.” he said as he and the cyan mare started to fly through the sky. “What’s with you and working all the time?” “What are you talking about?” “The only time I see you is when we’re at work or you’re helping Mac and AJ with their work. Don’t you ever chill out?” she asked as she raised an eyebrow. “I like to work, what’s wrong with that?” “Nothing it’s just that......you need to learn how to unwind, get a hobby or something.” “I have hobbies!” “Like what?” “I read.” “Fine what do you read?” Storm bit his lip at the next part. “Cloud reports.” he said as he adverted his gaze. “Work related, doesn’t count!” she yelled. “What ever, how I spend my time should be no concern of yours.” he said in a harsh tone as he descended onto the farm, he and Rainbow landed in front of the red barn just as Big Mac and AJ were coming out. “Howdy Rainbow, howdy Storm, what brings you two here?” the orange mare asked in her southern accent. “I was bored so I was wondering if you guys needed any help.” “Well, that’s mighty kind of ya. Ya’ll can help Big Mac with some apple trees, he’s in the South orchard.” the stallion nodded and took off in the direction the mare had instructed. Storm flew through the orchard, he soon came across the quiet red stallion bucking apple trees. “Hey Mac.” “Howdy.” “AJ told me to lend you a hoof, that all right with you?” “Eeyup, ya can start on the third row over there.” he said as he pointed to the lone of trees. “Will do.” Storm began to work on said trees. As he did his mind drifted off and he began to stare into space. His mind drifted back to his flight school days, his mind began to fabricate the good old days. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Another five laps around the track then hit the showers!” the coach said as he blew his whistle at the group of pegasi who were circling the track field. Storm was head of the pack along side his best friend Thunder Kicker, a light brown Pegasus stallion with a white mane. Thunder finished just a few seconds ahead of Storm. The coach blew his whistle and the exhausted stallions made their way into the locker room. “Hah! Still the champ!” Thunder said as he raised his hoof in victory. Storm rolled his eyes and trotted over to his locker. “Yeah, yeah. Enjoy it while it lasts hot shot, you are going down next time.” he said with a grin. The brown Pegasus slapped him on the back with a laugh. “Yeah, keep dreaming Storm.” he said with a cocky grin. Storm pushed him off him and smiled. “You okay?” his friend asked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The vision collapsed and he was back at Sweet Apple Acres looking into the maroon eyes of Rainbow Dash who had a confused look on her face. “ Hello? Equestria to Storm. I said are you okay?” she said as she tapped him on his head. “Yeah I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” “You seemed kind of out of it.” “Just thinking.” “About what?” “Stuff.” Rainbow deadpanned him. “Fine be all secretive and what not. It’s time to head home.” she said with a smile. Storm nodded and started to walk with Rainbow to the gate. “So Storm, where do you hang out?” “Why? Looking to spend some more time with me?” he said with a smug grin. “Yeah right. I just want to see if your a total loser or not.” she said as she rolled her eyes. “That hurts, to answer your question I guess my house mostly.” “Doing what?” “Reading, listening to music, watching T.V. playing video games, the usual.” he said in a calm tone. “You don’t ever go out?” “No, I usually go to the bar with Big Mac. We talk, joke around...stuff like that.” “What do you two talk about?” “Sorry, Bar Code Rule #1: What happens at the bar, stays at the bar.” Rainbow looked at him in disappointment. “That look doesn’t work on me Rainbow.” he said in a flat tone. “What games do you play?” “You probably wouldn’t be interested in them.” he said as he looked at the mare. “Hey I’ve played a game occasionally!” she said in a defensive tone. “Really? You never struck me as a gamer.” he said as he raised an eyebrow. “Well, I am! I have my own account and everything on the P-Box 720.” “Cool, what games do you play?” “I asked you first.” “Fine. Colt of Duty, Stallions of War, Pony’s Creed, Pony’d for Dead, Equestria Noire, Sonic the Pegasus, and Palo.” he finished. “Cool....I’ve played some Colt of Duty and Palo. Not sure about the others.” “They’re more story driven than just blowing stuff up.” “What’s the fun in that?” “You wouldn’t understand.” he said as he let out a sigh. “So what’s your Game Plate?” “SilentPegasus17. Yours?” “Rainboom#1. I’ll add you when I get home.” “Suit yourself.” “Will you accept the invite?” she said as Storm began to take flight. “We’ll see.” he said as he flew off to his home. He flew through the air at a slow pace, despite his flying ability he liked to fly slow and take in the surroundings. He soon arrived at his house, Storm lived on the outskirts of Ponyville. He preferred to keep to himself, he didn’t consider himself antisocial, he just had a few ‘close’ friends and that’s how he liked it. He arrived at his home and trotted inside, it was small for a two story apartment, quaint and simple. One bedroom, one bath, living room and kitchen. Storm wasn’t much of a cook but he knew enough to get by. He made himself some dinner and sat down in front of his television and turned on the seven o’clock news. Nothing ground breaking or disastrous. He turned on his game console and saw who was on, sure enough he had a friend request from Rainbow. He ignored the message and decided to head to the bar in hopes of seeing Big Mac. He put his dishes in the sink and made sure that his ‘vault’ was locked. After Storm had locked up he took flight and made his way into Ponyville. The night was calm and cool, perfect flying conditions. He marveled at the night sky and enjoyed the night’s cold embrace. He stopped in front of a red bricked building that held a sign that read ‘The Rusty Horseshoe.' he made his way inside and sat down at the bar. The interior was mostly made of wood that looked and smelled like chestnut, the bar itself had more of an Oak tint to it. The bartender, an old orange earth pony stallion made his way over to the white Pegasus and stopped in front of him. “Nice to see you Storm, what can I get you?” the bartender asked. “I’ll take a nice shot of AJ Daniels.” he said with a smile. “Sure thing.” he said as he poured the drink. “Just don’t overdo it.” “C’mon Rusty, it’s been a week since I’ve had a drink.” he said as he took a swig from the glass. The door opened to reveal a familiar red stallion, who took a seat next to the Pegasus and ordered a drink. “Hey Mac.” “Howdy.” “What’s new?” “Not much. Have to plow the orchard tomorrow to get ready for the growing season. How’s the sky business going?” he said as the red stallion took a drink from his glass. “Today was my day off so it was easy going. Until Rainbow came along and disturbed my nap.” he said in a grumble. “Eeyup, ah figured that she’d try to pull something like that.” “Yeah, she’s cool and all but she can get on your nerves.” “Eeyup.” Storm glanced at the clock and realized it was getting late. “I’d better get going, I have the early shift tomorrow.” he said as he payed for the drink and got to his hooves. “See you later.” “Eeyup.” the red stallion said as the Pegasus left the establishment. Storm made his way back to his house. He trotted inside and locked the door behind him. As he walked down the hallway he turned and faced a metal black door, Storm breathed a heavy sigh as he put a hoof on it. He continued on his way and trotted up the stairs until he got to his bathroom, he had a quick shower and brushed his teeth. Storm made his way into his room and pulled out the cloud schedule for tomorrow. Okay...sunny in the morning, with a midday shower. Easy enough. he thought as he closed the report, he trotted over to his bed which was made out of a thunder cloud, similar to the one that he was napping on in the afternoon. As he crawled into bed he set his alarm for 6:15am and eventually fell asleep.