//------------------------------// // Part II // Story: Falling from the Sky // by RD-loves-RA //------------------------------// (I own nothing but the plotline and characters. MLP:FiM is property of Hasbro and Lauren Faust. Any attempts to sue me or my affiliates will be met with crying, pleading, and with negotiation, a written apology.) Falling from the Sky By RD-loves-RA Chapter 7: Stormfront Rainbow Dash’s declaration garnered the look of everypony in the library. She went from trying to physically beat me to trying to physically accompany me. Still wearing an angry glare on her face, Rainbow Dash stood confidently just feet away daring me to challenge her. She was waiting to shoot down any of my attempts to dissuade her from coming with me. I looked into her magenta eyes and became lost in her intentions. “What is she trying to do..?” Before I could determine anything, Applejack stepped into our battlefield. “Rainbow Dash, what in tarnation are you tryin’ to pull!? One minute you two are at each other’s throats, next yer fixin’ to join him? I don’t git it.” “No, you don’t” Rainbow Dash asserted. “Just back off and let me”— “Fine, let’s go.” I interrupted. “What did you say?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I said fine. You’re coming with me to get the stone. Get what you need and let’s go.” It was my turn to grab the attention of everyone in the room. Everypony was totally confused about the situation at hand. At my last statement, a hint of surprise flashed across Rainbow Dash’s face. A second later it vanished, and was overtaken by her usual confidence. “Sounds good to me. Twilight, we’re going for a walk. Do me a favor and get us geared up. You know better than me what we’ll need for the trip.” “Oh, uhh, sure! I guess I can do that.” Twilight said, clearly flustered. “Thanks Twilight, means a lot!” Rainbow Dash winked at Twilight, then gestured for me to follow her out the door. Rainbow Dash and I promptly exited the library and took off into the sky. We broke through the clouds and set a decent pace in a northern direction. I trailed behind Rainbow Dash as she led the way towards an unknown destination. Without warning, she descended onto a cloud no bigger than a king sized bed. I dropped down onto the cloud and sat across from Rainbow Dash. “Is this where you take all your victims?” I asked sarcastically. “Shut up. Why did you do it?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Why did I do what?” “Why did you agree to let me go with you!?” “What, and miss out on all that bonding time with my favorite multi-colored pegasus? I don’t think so!” Rainbow Dash glared at me. “I think the better question is why you offered to come.” “I asked you first!” “And I asked you second. My question is better, so I’m making the executive decision that you should go first.” “You are the biggest pain in my flank…” Rainbow Dash was visibly annoyed. “Duly noted, now answer the question please.” “Fine. *Sigh* I think… I think I…” Rainbow Dash cringed. “What? You think you what?” “I think I remember you…” Rainbow Dash looked absently towards me. “I wish I could remember me.” I said jokingly. “Heh, shut up. I look at your face, into your eyes. Those golden eyes…” Rainbow Dash trailed off, lost in thought. “And?” I said expectantly. “Oh, I look into your eyes and something rings a bell. I don’t know if that’s good or not. I just don’t get a good feeling.” “I’ve been there…” I said. “Amnesia, yea… Sorry.” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her neck and looked away. “ No, I mean I think you’re familiar. When we first met, I got distracted. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I knew you.” “Ugh, this is too hard! It’s exactly why I don’t trust you! You’re too…confusing.” “All the more reason to get my memory back. I want my questions answered, and so do you.” “Yes, exactly. That’s my reasoning for going with you. That and you wouldn’t last a minute in that forest without me.” Rainbow Dash said boastfully. “Suuure. We should probably get back to the others at the library.” I said. “Chill out, Twi won’t be ready for at least an hour. She’s a bit of a perfectionist. Just lay back and enjoy doing nothing. You’re gonna miss this out in the forest.” “*Sigh* Alright… you’re the boss.” I conceded. “Now you’re gettin’ it!” Rainbow Dash beamed “Don’t make me hit you again.” “Please, aside from that killer left hook, you’ve got nothing.” Rainbow Dash said confidently. I just groaned and started taking the boastful ponies advice. No sense in worrying now. Like she said, I’ll have plenty of time to do that in a few hours. … After storming away from Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy retreated to the one place she felt truly safe. She went deep into the woods underneath a large tree, surrounded by all of her animal friends. Tears had been shed from her glistening eyes, and her stifled breathing had alerted her woodland creatures to her distraught condition. The woods were quiet, save for the sounds of critters comfort. *Squeak* “Oh, hello Mr. Mouse. No, I’m f-fine.” Fluttershy wiped her puffy eyes. *Squuuueak* “D-don’t w-worry… I’m f-fi… squeeeeee!” Fluttershy erupted into tears. *Chirp Chirp* *Squeak* “*Sniff* I-I was so m-mean to Rainbow D-Dash! Why did I yell at her like that? She was only trying to explain herself… I was so difficult and emotional; she probably never wants to see me again!” Stop it, stop it right now and get a hold of yourself Fluttershy. Let’s just start at the source and think this through. Why were you yelling at Dash? “B-because… she thought the new stallion was dangerous.” Why would she think that he’s dangerous? “I-I don’t know…” Fluttershy closed her eyes and lowered her head. Take a guess. He doesn’t know who he is. That means you don’t. He is a stranger. Shouldn’t you be more careful around strangers? “I suppose so. B-but Pinkie Pie always says that a stranger… a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet!” That may be, but she was only trying to keep you safe. She’s worried about you like any good friend would be. “I know… Mr. Squirrel, do you think I should keep away from the new pegasus?” *Squeak* “You know what? You’re right! I have to do what I think is best I’m going to be there for him because he is a good person. I can just tell when I look at him that I can trust him.” But what about Rainbow Dash? What will she think when you ignore her suspicions? Fluttershy’s expression sank at the thought of hurting her best friends feelings. You can’t just ignore what she says. What are you going to do? Fluttershy scrunched up her face and concentrated on coming up with something to quell the questions in her mind. “I’ve got it!” Fluttershy’s tears vanished, and she wore a bright smile. “I just have to get Rainbow Dash to spend some time with him! She may think he is a dangerous stranger, but if they get to know each other she’ll think he is a trustworthy friend!” *Chirp Chirp* “Thank you Ms. Robin, I think it’s a good plan too! I’m going to go find them right now and get started!” This is going to be so nice. I can’t wait until Rainbow Dash and the new pony are friends! Fluttershy, now content with herself, trotted off towards Ponyville to find Rainbow Dash and enact her strategy. Her long walk back out of the woods would give her time to cool down and relax before dealing with her high maintenance friends. She continued towards her destination, much happier than she was before. … “Is it just me, or did it get colder?” I asked Rainbow Dash “No, it did. That’s weird; I didn’t hear anything about a storm front from the weather team…” On our way back to the library, Rainbow Dash and I noticed a change in the weather. All seemed calm as it had before, but an eerie stillness and a drop in the temperature outside seemed to produce an unsettling aura around Ponyville. Nobody was outside in the bustling town, and it was still mid-day. We arrived at the library moments before it started to drizzle. Not eager to get pelted by rain, we both entered Twilight’s home unannounced, much to the dismay of its main inhabitant. “AHH! You’re early! Don’t look at me!” Twilight scrambled to cover herself up. “Oh, sorry! We probably should’ve knocked first.” I averted my eyes at Twilight’s panicked request. “Caught you outta the shower, didn’t we? Hehe.” Rainbow Dash teased. Twilight blushed and her eyes went wide with humiliation. “Yes, now go inside so I can get ready!” Twilight galloped towards her room. *CRACK* “Whoa! What in the hay!?” I looked around for the source of the thundering noise. “Relax. It’s thunder. Seems like the storm is picking up out there.” Rainbow Dash said. “Judging by the barometric pressure and the build-up of energy, I’d say we’re looking at a severe electrical storm coming from the Everfree Forest.” Twilight entered the main room of the library. “Aw man, that’s not too good. Hopefully everypony made it indoors.” Rainbow Dash said with concern. “I didn’t see anyone in town. It was practically deserted. So where did everyone go? You had just about everypony here an hour ago.” I said. “Applejack had work to do at Sweet Apple Acres, Pinkie Pie went home to help the Cakes with the kids, and Rarity said something about a special project. She went home to work on it.” Twilight said. “What about Fluttershy? I haven’t heard from her all day…” I lowered my head. “I saw her this morning in bed, you know, with you.” Rainbow Dash shot me a look. “Wait, what!? How the hay did THAT happen? Oh, not that you aren’t great or anything…” Twilight stumbled on her last sentence. “Focus! Then what? Where did she go?” I asked. “Well, we kinda got into an argument and she ran off. Probably out into the woods.” “The woods!? That means she’s out in this storm!” “Buck, you might be right. We have to go”— *SQUEEEE* “Was that”— “Fluttershy!” I tore out the door of the library and into the storm. The wind was picking up, and the sky over Ponyville had turned from a mild grey to an ominous black. The drizzle let up, only to be replaced by flashes of lightning overhead. Conditions were quickly becoming worse, and there was no sign of Fluttershy. I tried to listen for her over the fury of the storm. “Fluttershy! Can you hear me!?” I called out, and heard nothing respond but the elements around me. *CRACK* *BOOM* *SQUEEE* Over the grumble of the dissipating thunder, I heard Fluttershy cry out. I turned my head towards the source of the noise and sure enough, hiding underneath a picnic table, was the terrified yellow pegasus. “Fluttershy!” I rushed over to her improvised hiding place. “I-It’s you!” Fluttershy stuttered, surprised to see me. “Yes, it’s me! Now c’mon, we have to get inside!” I took her by the hoof and pulled her out from under the table. “There, the library!” I bolted towards the library with Fluttershy in tow behind me. The wind and rain were beginning to pick up again, and we weren’t even close to safety. Out of nowhere, I heard a loud splintering noise. I looked up to see a large tree branch falling directly in our path. “LOOK OUT!” I yanked Fluttershy out of the way as the branch impacted the ground in front of us. “C’mon, we’re almost there!” With adrenaline pumping through our veins, we leapt over the tree and sprinted towards the library with renewed vigor. About halfway to the library, a smudge of blue raced towards us through the increasingly dark air. As we moved closer, the maelstrom of wind and rain subsided enough for us to see that it was Rainbow Dash coming to meet us. “You’re almost there! I’ve got you, let’s GO!” Rainbow Dash yelled over the thunder. Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy from me and guided us towards the library. I was following them within a few feet, lighting and thunder rampantly striking and booming all around us. As we reached the door of the library, I felt something in the air ripple. Without thinking, I pushed the two pegasi ahead and flared my wings. *BZZZTCRACK* *BOOM* Everything around me flashed, and then went black. I was forcefully thrown to the ground, rolling violently three or four times before coming to a stop. I couldn’t move my body, and I had almost no sense left in me. I thought I heard someone yelling, but my ears were ringing too loudly for me to be sure. I could feel myself being dragged across the ground, and then I heard the storm become muffled. I was inside the library, or at least I hoped that’s where I was. The ringing in my ears diminished, but my hearing didn’t come back completely. “Get…inside! …him…the bed!” “…he going to…” “Do …thing! Any…” “I’m try…zzzzzzzzzzz” All the confusion had distracted me from the buzzing noise slowly building inside my ears. It seemed to be coming directly from inside my head. Before I had a chance to wonder what it was, it started. Pain. “AHHHHGH! STOP… MAKE IT”— My throat seized up and I couldn’t continue screaming. I was being electrocuted. Every nerve in my body, from the bottom of my hooves to the tips of my wings was on fire. The smell of burnt flesh filled my nostrils, and a seizurous flashing of electrical surges danced across my field of vision. The jerking of my body was uncontrollable as I thrashed violently on whatever surface I’d been moved to. I’m going to die. I can see myself convulsing, smell myself BURNING. This is where it all ends, where I burn to ash and phase out. It’s hopeless… hope… “F-Flutter…” The yellow pegasus shot into my mind and then vanished, taking my consciousness with her. “Where is he going!?” I yelled towards Rainbow Dash. “I’m not sure, stay here and get ready to cover us!” Rainbow Dash left the library in pursuit of the white pegasus. “Cover you!? You’re going to be fine, don’t tell me THAT!” My concern was apparent. Everypony just ran out into the worst electrical storm in a decade, and she tells me to stay put and prepare for the worst!? What is she thinking!? What was HE thinking!? “Why am I the only responsible pony here!?” My outburst caused my horn to spark. Whoa, get ahold of yourself Twilight. This is no time to get frustrated. Get to the door and see if you can guide those reckless ponies back inside. “Sounds like an excellent plan. Thanks… me?” You have GOT to stop talking to yourself… I galloped over to the open door and looked out into the storm. The weather was getting even fiercer than I thought it would. I thought of my friends out there and shuddered. Nopony needs to experience this kind of terror. I had barely made it to the door when out of the tempest came three differently colored blobs. Blue and yellow in front with white following directly behind them. Good, they’re almost here. Maybe I worried for nothing. The universe took that thought as a challenge apparently. A flash in the dark sky caused me to glance up above the smudges. My eyes went wide with panic as I realized what was about to happen. “Look out!” My words were swallowed by the storm. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were pushed forward, leaving the white smudge behind. A bolt of lightning collided with his body, sending him reeling backwards towards the library. “NO!” Fluttershy was screaming. “Get him inside!” I yelled at Rainbow Dash. “Put him on the bed!” Rainbow Dash nodded and dragged him into the library. “Is he going to be”— “Do something! Anything!” Rainbow Dash cut off Fluttershy. She wore a desperate look on her face as she put him on the bed. “I’m trying!” I attempted a basic healing spell, but it didn’t seem to have an effect. As I looked over his body, I noticed something strange was happening with his cutie mark. What in the world…? “AHHHGH! STOP… MAKE IT”— The white pegasus suddenly surged with electricity, forcing everyone away from the bed. He was clearly conscious, though unable to speak or move by his own will. He was in severe pain, and I couldn’t do anything about it. “Twilight, please! Help him!” Fluttershy screamed, tears streaming down her face. “I… I don’t know what to do! He isn’t responding to my spells!” I scanned his convulsing body with my horn. “Wait!” There is an energy build up in between his central nervous system and his cutie mark! The energy is flowing throughout his whole body! If I can just… “Fluttershy, No!” Rainbow Dash yelled. Fluttershy tore across the room, and before I could stop her she leapt onto the bed and latched onto the convulsing pegasus. Rainbow Dash and I watched in horror as she too became engulfed in the bolts of electricity. Seconds later, the pair of electrically charged ponies began to surge brighter and brighter. “F-Flutter…” The white pegasus said weakly *CRACK* A surge of white light emitted from the two pegasi and sent out a shockwave that threw Rainbow Dash and I against the wall. Fluttershy and the white pegasus were thrown as well, landing much harder than us. Fluttershy hit the wall of my bedroom a few feet from the bed. Rainbow Dash rushed to her side, unsure of what to do to help her. I saw the mystery pony go the other way, down the stairs and onto the floor of my private study. I hurried down to him to make sure the blunt trauma didn’t injure him further. Assuming he isn’t already dead from the massive amount of electricity coursing through his body. I reached the bottom of the stairs and saw him sprawled out on the floor, unmoving. I looked at his body, and saw that he was still prickling with electricity. My eyes moved over to his cutie mark, and almost couldn’t comprehend what I saw. His cutie mark was moving. The static field around his cloud was sparking and changing like the electricity around his body. What in Equestria is going on here? “Rainbow Dash, is Fluttershy okay? Is she breathing?” I asked with concern, trying to stay focused on the important task. “*Phew* She’s”— “I’m…fine,” Fluttershy cringed with pain as she stood up. “Is he…alive?” “Hold on, let me take a closer look.” I scanned his body with my horn. Oh come on, there has to be something! No… No… Ohh, his wing is broken… OH MY! That’s private. No… No… “There! I have a pulse! It’s weak, but he’s alive and breathing. For now…” I couldn’t hide the worry in my voice. “F-for now?” Fluttershy said, new tears forming in her eyes. “Twilight, what do you mean… for now?” Rainbow Dash asked solemnly. “Well, he seems fine, but…” I trailed off, focused on Fluttershy. “But what!? What are you”— Rainbow Dash turned to see what I was looking at. Fluttershy was confused as to why we started looking at her, until she caught a glimpse of light pass her eyes. “W-what was t-that?” Nobody answered Fluttershy’s question. Small bolts of electricity were dancing around Fluttershy, making it look as though she was a miniature storm cloud. I racked my brain trying to think of what this could mean, endless possibilities pouring through my mind. “Stand still!” I began scanning Fluttershy. What is going on here!? Her vital signs are fine. Brain activity is a bit high, though considering the stress she’s under it’s perfectly normal. Nothing seems to have changed. Whoa, what’s this? PERFECT! “Fluttershy! Come over to the new guy.” “Oh, ok.” Fluttershy was nervous, but she obeyed. “Alright, listen carefully. I need you to follow my instructions exactly if we’re going to keep him alive.” “I-I’ll do my best.” “Ok, start rubbing your hooves together. They’re going to start sparking, so be careful to keep them away from the rest of you. Once they are sufficiently generating enough power, I need you to pound them onto this spot on our unconscious friend.” I flipped the white pegasus onto his back and pointed towards his heart. “You need to hit him like you’re bucking one of Applejacks trees.” “*Sigh* Ok. I’ll do it!” Fluttershy collected herself. As she began rubbing her hooves together, a crackling sound became clearly audible. Within moments, all the rouge bolts of electricity around Fluttershy’s body manifested themselves into the tips of her hooves, and emitted a high pitched sound that resembled hundreds of birds chirping. “Alright, that’s great! Do it now, right now!” I commanded Fluttershy brought her hooves down with a thud onto the unconscious pony’s chest. On a reflex, he sprang up onto his feet, heart racing and pupils constricted. After a few moments, he seemed to settle, and his entire demeanor went from shocked to deliriously exhausted. He glanced at Fluttershy, and began wobbling on his hooves. “ *Cough* Heeeey, Fluttershy~! Waaas goin’ on?” He sounded intoxicated “You’re ok! *Squeee*” Fluttershy took the drunken looking pegasus into her arms for a tight embrace. “Hahaha, you’re really pretty, you know that? Hey...why are we on the ceiling? *Cough* Weeeeeee!” The disoriented stranger collapsed onto the ground in a puddle of his own drool. “Oh no, Twili”— “Don’t worry, don’t worry!” I levitated the unconscious pegasus onto the bed upstairs. “He is completely fine now. Give him a good night’s rest, and a binding for his broken wing and he’ll be just fine!” I reassured Fluttershy. “*Phew* Thank you so much Twilight!” “He has half a brain and he still finds the time to compliment you. You found a keeper Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and smiled at the blushing yellow pegasus. “Why don’t you make him comfortable Fluttershy, maybe get his wing bandaged up? No one is going anywhere in this storm, so we have some time. You two should gear up for a long night, and you’re more than welcome to stay here of course.” I glanced out the window. “Uhh, Twilight? It’s only noon…” Rainbow Dash said “Like I said, loooooong night…” I glanced once more out the window into the dark tempest and let out an exhausted breath. Chapter 8: Confidence Boost Four hours… Four hours… I’ve been sitting here, not moving, not FLYING, for four…hours. Stupid weather systems, how dare you keep me, Equestria’s #1 flyer grounded!? “This is taking forever! Twilight, I thought you said the storm was gonna blow over by now!” Rainbow Dash complained. “I never said that. I just said that it was possible, and that was me repeating Fluttershy’s optimism.” Twilight said annoyed. “UGH, well what does that mean?” “*Sigh* Rainbow Dash, you know more about the weather than anypony I’ve ever met besides myself. Look out the window and tell me what that means.” “Fiine…” Rainbow Dash looked out the window in Twilights bedroom into the storm. It was black, with swirling clouds emitting static. Every so often, flashes of lightning would escape the clouds and strike closer to the library than she would have liked. “Well? What do you see?” “Hell…” Rainbow Dash’s expression went blank. “Well that’s what you’re going to get if you keep moping around here.” Twilight joked, trying to diffuse Rainbow Dash’s odd change in demeanor. “Sorry…” Rainbow Dash said sullenly. Twilight said nothing in response, as she knew that her most confident friend giving in so easily was unusual to say the least. Twilight went to her personal bookshelf near her bed and pulled out her solution from the middle shelf. “Catch!” Twilight lobbed a book towards Rainbow Dash, who fumbled with it wide eyed, eventually catching in between her hooves. “Daring Do and The Storm of the Centurions?” Rainbow Dash was confused. “Read it. Maybe hearing about my second favorite adventure pony will cheer you up!” “Second favorite? You know I love Daring Do, but I’d rather read about your absolute favorite, Twilight.” “I’m a bit busy right now. I’ll get to work on your biography as soon as I have a moment.” Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled. Rainbow Dash stared blankly at Twilight. Sensing her friend didn’t get the joke, Twilight smiled sheepishly and started to blush. All she could do was wait patiently for her hard-headed friend to grasp the compliment. “Wait…what?” Rainbow Dash said, racking her brain. “Oh! Ohh…” Rainbow Dash turned red and returned the sheepish smile Twilight wore. Twilight brightened up and gathered herself before looking towards her destination. “So precious…” Twilight trotted away, giggling to herself. Rainbow Dash watched her leave and couldn’t subdue the smile she sported on her face. She looked for a place to read and settled on a small nook near Twilight’s bedroom. Fluttershy was a few feet away tending to the unconscious white pegasus previously struck by lightning. As she went to sit down with her novel, Rainbow Dash’s smile gave way to a stern look she frequently wore when she needed to think. With her favorite book in hand, nopony would find it odd to see her distancing herself from the rest of the world. Daring Do, being as awesome as me is a lot of work, huh? I’m not feeling so awesome right now, and I don’t know what to do about it. I’m sure you’ve got a big adventure to go on, but do you think you could give me some advice? The sandy brown pegasus in safari gear on the front cover continued displaying her bold, adventurous look, much to the dismay of Rainbow Dash. “It looks like Daring Do is a bit too busy adventuring to help out a fellow adventurer. I wish I had it that easy…” Rainbow Dash thought.  Her stern look morphed into a look of frustration, and a second later gave way to one of defeat. She became completely absorbed in thought. What am I gonna do? I can’t keep waiting for this to happen. Ugh, what am I SUPPOSED to do? It’s not like this is gonna go anywhere, I’m nothing in comparison. Maybe I should just give up on her. Celestia knows I’ve had to do it before. But she’s different. It won’t be that easy, not like last time… Ugh, maybe it would just work itself out if I was just… “What’s the matter Rainbow Dash?” “GAH!” Rainbow Dash shot into the air, catching herself with her wings. “Oh my, I’m sorry Rainbow Dash. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Fluttershy said apologetically. “Startle me? You didn’t startle me! Something…uh, bit me? Something bit me!” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her mane. Fluttershy simply cocked her eyebrow and smiled at the cyan pegasus. “So what did you want again?” Rainbow Dash asked impatiently. “I just wanted to see if you were ok.” Fluttershy looked over to the white pegaus in Twilights bed. “He seems to be in a stable condition. He just needs some rest. You however, you look like you have something on your mind!” “Well, I don’t! I’m totally fine. Awesome in fact!” Rainbow Dash displayed her same resolved look, but her eyes were shining with emotion. “Rainbow Dash, I’ve known you longer than anyone. I know when you’re LYING to me.” Fluttershy scolded. “If you’re lying to me about something, then it must be very important.” “Fluttershy, I…” “Dash…You can tell me anything. I’m here for you.” Rainbow Dash tried to look Fluttershy in the eye, but couldn’t muster up the strength. She instead let her eyes wander to the far side of the room, inadvertently fixating on one spot. One busy, lavender, four-legged spot. “Now I get it,” Fluttershy said, tracking her friends gaze. “There’s something going on with you and Twilight, isn’t there?” “What!? No, it’s nothing like that!” “Nothing like what? What did you think I meant?” “Well I… Uh, you see…” Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy and pulled her next to the white ponys bed. “Fluttershy, can you keep a secret?” “Of course I can! What’s going on?” “I… I like…” “Yes?” “I like Twilight.” “Well so do I. She’s one of our friends. What’s wrong with liking her?” Fluttershy’s naivety was almost endearing to the cyan pegasus. “Fluttershy, not like that! I like Twilight the way you like the new guy here.” She gestured to the bed. “Except he actually likes you back.” Rainbow Dash’s expression sank. “W-Wait, you like Twiligh”— “Shhh, not so loud!” “Everypony ok in there?” Twilight inquired from the other room. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine! You have nothing to worry about, we’re fine. Uhh, how are you?” Rainbow Dash stammered. “Uhh, fine? You two have fun in there!” Twilight said, dismissing the two from her call. “Well, I suppose this explains your behavior over the last few months…” Fluttershy said. “Behavior? What do you mean behave”— “Rainbow Dash, you’ve been spending a LOT of time with Twilight. Since you started visiting the library more often, you’ve been acting flirty with her, and even gone as far as to take up reading.” “Well, I”— “Now that I think about it, you act differently around her. You’re more supportive of her ideas, you don’t interrupt her as much, and you seem to be thinking more intently.” “But I’m”— “Don’t even get me started on the way you look at her. Those serious eyes of yours swell with admiration and longing every time you see her. Face it, you don’t just like her, you’re head over hooves for Twilight!” Rainbow Dash closed her eyes tightly, turning redder than the shiniest apple at Sweet Apple Acres. She brought her head up to meet Fluttershy’s face. “I know…” Rainbow Dash muttered. “It’s terrible.” “Terrible? How could you think this is terrible? You two would be so adorable together! Oh, it would be so beautiful to see true love like that.” “One problem Fluttershy. She doesn’t feel that way…” “How do you know? Did she tell you that?” “No…” “Did you ask her if she liked you back?” “No.” “Does she not, you know… play for that team?” “No! It’s nothing like that! She just doesn’t know, ok? I’ve been dropping hints left and right, but she doesn’t seem to notice. Or maybe… Maybe she just doesn’t care…” “That’s not true! Look at yourself Dash, where is all that confidence? Where is the Dash we all know and love?” “She’s emotionally unavailable right now.” Rainbow Dash said sarcastically, gently frowning. “Well, let’s make her available! It shouldn’t be too hard to boost the confidence of Equestria’s best flyer!” Rainbow Dash blushed and tried to hide the smile Fluttershy’s statement provoked. “Look at her! Captain of the Ponyville Weather Team, future Wonderbolt, and did I mention that she’s pulled off the legendary Sonic Rainboom three times? You know who else did that? No pony, ever!” “I guess they didn’t, huh?” Rainbow Dash smiled and blushed, still apprehensive. “Don’t even get me started on her looks! That smooth cyan coat, those brilliant magenta eyes, and that mane! Oh Celestia, that mane! Did you know that it’s naturally rainbow?” “Ok, ok! Hahaha, I get it! I’m awesome, and anypony would be lucky to have me! Even Twilight!” “What about me?” Twilight walked into the room with a smile. “Nothing, gotta go!” Fluttershy zipped away leaving nothing but a wisp of smoke behind. “Ah! Oh, nothing at all! Fluttershy and I were just talking about… CLOUDS!” Rainbow Dash stiffened up and her pupils constricted. “…Clouds?” Twilight asked hesitantly. “Yup! Clouds! White clouds, black clouds, big clouds, small clouds! Clouds.” “Why were you two talking about”— “So what’s up Twilight? Anything exciting goin’ on?” Rainbow Dash abruptly changed the subject. “Nothing new since twenty minutes ago when I handed you that book…” Twilight wore a confused look on her face. “Right… Uh, you said you were busy. What were you up to?” “Oh, well… Nevermind, you don’t wanna hear about that.” Twilight said, dismissing her thought. “What? C’mon Twilight, tell me!” Rainbow Dash’s curiosity absolved her nervous behavior. “*Sigh* I guess I can show you what I have so far. Come on; let’s go to the main room. It’s a bit more secluded at the moment.” Twilight trotted out the door of her bedroom, beckoning for Rainbow Dash to follow. “So what exactly are you…” Rainbow Dash caught up to Twilight and saw her looking through numerous drawers. “Now where did I put that scroll? Ah, here it is!” Twilight levitated her parchment to a nearby table. “Take a look!” Twilight Sparkle’s horn let out a lavender spark and the scroll unfurled on the table. Inside was a complex diagram of a Pegasi’s flight path. Angles and equations were scribbled along key points, and a small image of Rainbow Dash’s cutie mark was branded on the bottom corner. “Whoa, what’s all this?” Rainbow Dash was in awe of the drawing. “Well, if you’d like, it could be your newest trick in your Wonderbolt routine!” Twilight beamed. Rainbow Dash studied the illustrations and descriptions on the page before her. Her full concentration was poured into the scroll, her eyes glistening with appreciation, and her mouth moving to the beat of her silent voice analyzing what she saw in her head. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, turned to Twilight, and gave her a look of unbridled gratitude. “Twilight, this… This is amazing! How did you even”— “Let me explain.” Twilight grinned. “You’ve been spending a lot more time here at the library with me, and since then you’ve really let your intellect bloom!” “Aw, Twi…” “Haha, let me finish! You and I found a lot of common ground since you started reading more. You’ve always been smart and creative, which translates to your performances. Since you read up on flying, you’ve improved considerably and it’s an absolute joy to watch!” “Shucks Twilight, enough with the flattery.” Rainbow Dash said blushing. Twilight smiled back. “Actually, you can continue with the flattery if you really want. I am”— “Awesome.” Twilight completed Rainbow’s sentence with glee. “I spent some time analyzing your flight times, telemetry, and body physics, and put what knowledge on aerodynamics I had into that trick. You’re more knowledgeable about aerodynamics and atmospheric conditions than I am, believe it or not, so I figured you could take a look at my work and make it…well, work!” “Twilight… I don’t know what to say…” “Don’t say anything then. Just see what you can do with my calculations. Seeing you perform that trick will be reward enough!” Twilights eyes shined with happiness. Rainbow Dash looked into Twilight’s eyes, and her expression brightened. Twilight had a shy smile on her face, but when she looked at Rainbow Dash, her eyes lit up like wild fire. Twilight’s shyness dissipated and was replaced with a nervous stare. Rainbow Dash noticed this and almost asked her what was wrong, but before she could say anything, Twilight stepped towards her and leaned in close. “Tw-Twilight?” Rainbow Dash’s voice cracked. Twilights lips made contact with Rainbow Dash’s cheek. The cyan pegasus was dumbstruck. Red-faced, back tensed, and pupils constricted, Rainbow Dash couldn’t move. OhmygoshohmygoshohmyGOSH! She’s kissing you! Do something! Like what!? I don’t know how to do this! Well you should probably stop standing there like an idiot and least look at her! Oh gosh, I can’t focus! Pull yourself together! *face slap* Ow! Twilight hesitantly pulled away. She glanced at Rainbow Dash, and suddenly looked very uncomfortable. “Oh no… I’m sorry, so so sorry! I’ve no idea what came over me! I’ll just go… Over there.” Twilight turned abruptly and went to leave the room. “Twilight!” Rainbow Dash shot in front of the lavender unicorn, blocking her hasty retreat. “Rainbow Dash, what are you”— The cyan pegasus planted a spontaneous kiss right on Twilight’s lips, halting her speech. The lavender ponies blushing cheeks and constricted pupils melted in Rainbow Dash’s hooves and exuded bliss. Both of their hearts beat louder than the thunder claps outside, and the sparks of their kiss shone brighter than the flashes of lightning preceding them. The two ponies stood in a quiet and passionate embrace, a beacon of light drifting softly and unperturbed through the dark maelstrom outside. Chapter 9: Missing Pieces Wha- Where… Where am I? My eyes opened to find that I was surrounded by what appeared to be clouds. Cloud bed, cloud walls, cloud floor. All of them as white as my coat. Well, I’m either dead or in Cloudsdale. I drew a blank in my mind and then something clicked. I have no idea where that is… Why do I know that name? “Wake up lazy! You gonna sleep all day!?” A filly unknown to me called from the other room. “Calm down, I’m coming!” I said with a laugh. That was NOT me! Am I…dreaming? Before I could answer my own question I, or rather my body hopped out of bed and walked towards the reflecting pool in the corner of the room. My gaze turned to the pool, and I focused on my reflection. It was definitely me. Same golden eyes, same white coat, same dark blue and golden yellow mane. I’m dreaming about me… doing what? “Thundervolt! We’re gonna be late!” The filly called impatiently Thundervolt? “Ok, ok! I’m up!” I answered with the same amount of patience I went along for the trip as “I” left the room I awoke in. I emerged in what appeared to be a living room made of more clouds. I looked around for the filly who beckoned for me and saw that she was nowhere in sight. “Hey, where did you”— “YAH!” A filly sized weight landed on top of me and pinned me to the ground. I was worried that someone threw a brick at my dream self. “Or maybe they threw a really heavy cloud” I thought. To my surprise, I started laughing. The filly previously irritated with my lateness had decided to ambush me. “AH, you got me! Ugghhhh…” I proceed to play dead “Oh get up, you may be a pushover, but I can’t kill my big brother that easily!” The filly joked. I have a little sister!? “You’re so mean to me.” I said laughing. “THUNDERVOLT, NO!!!” A shriek rang out from the outside of the house, sending a sharp chill down my spine. I turned to look at the source of the scream and saw that I was no longer there. I was surrounded by nothing. Pure, black, nothingness. “What’s going on?” My own voice finally surfaced. ‘Tis the same as dooming them all. “Who said that?” Your loyalty was unmatched, your talent great. “I-I don’t understand…” Is it worth it? Is it worth her? “Get out of my head!” I gripped my temples in my hooves. You may run, you may hide, but thou shalt always remember. These burdens rest upon your shoulders, they fester within your heart. There is no escape! “Be quiet!” I yelled irrationally loud at the emptiness. FOOL! You know not what you do! “NO!” I sprang up and light burned my eyes. “He’s awake! Twilight, he’s awake!” “Fluttershy?” I mouthed, exasperated and confused. I blinked multiple times and my surroundings clarified. I was in the library again, in Twilights bed. Sweat crawled down my back, and my body felt numb. I began to lose feeling in my upper back. “Are you ok!? We were so worried!” Fluttershy said anxiously. “I don’t… I don’t kn- GAH!” The numbness in my back dissipated and a flash of searing pain spiked up into my head, blurring my vision and crippling me to the point of collapse. I fell back onto the bed, landing on my spine. More intense than before, pain roared into my shoulders, this time coming directly from my left-most wing. “I’m here, I’m here!” Twilight burst into the room, stumbling over her hooves. “Yeah, we’re he- OOF!” Rainbow Dash flew into the room, colliding with Twilight. “Rainbow Dash! Ow!” Twilight said “Sorry, my bad Twilight.” Rainbow Dash said looking flustered. “It’s fine, I’m fi”— “Girls!” Fluttershy yelled over Twilight. “He’s in pain, help him!” “What the buck, ugh… What the buck happened?” I said, wincing from the pain. “Hold still.” Twilight’s horn lit up and warm sensation crawled over me. “Ahh, that’s a lot better… Thanks Twilight. What was”— “It’s a simple medical spell, essentially a mild painkiller. And it’s not a problem. It’s the least I can do considering the circumstances of your injuries.” What do you mean? What happened?” “You saved our lives!” Rainbow Dash said smiling and gesturing to herself and Fluttershy. “Oh, is that all?” I asked with a grin. “Yea, that’s all. Try not to sound amazed.” “Unless you want to sound amazed of course.” Fluttershy added meekly “Seriously though, what happened?” I asked “You were struck by lightning. The bolt came down and struck you directly in your center of mass.” Twilight explained. “You pushed these two out of the way and took the hit.” “Lightning…? I-I should be dead.” I expressed gravely. “Yes, anypony should be after that. I want to run some tests later that may help explain this phenomenon, but for now I just want to perform a quick physical on you.” “Ok, that’s fine.” “Alright, try not to move too much.” Twilight’s horn sparked once again and she moved it up and down, peering at every inch of my body. “Your vitals seem fine, and your muscle tissue isn’t overly contracted. How about…” How about what? What else is there to check?  You just said I was fine. “I know I did, and I’m checking for synaptic realignment in your brain tissue.” Twilight said out of nowhere. “What the hay? Did you just answer my thought!?” My eyes went wide with shock. “Oh, sorry about that, I should have explained. I’m scanning your brainwaves right now to see if anything clicked due to your injury. Synaptic Realignment. Hearing your thoughts is sort of a side effect, so try to keep the private stuff as private as you can.” “That’s terrifying. I’ll do my best…” Don’t let her hear you think about Fluttershy or your feelings for her. She probably heard that. And that. Dammit, now she thinks you’re talking to yourself. No she doesn’t. If she didn’t before, she does now. Shut up, this isn’t helping. Wow, Fluttershy looks so pretty right now… “I’m sorry, but your thoughts are hilarious and they’re distracting me from the task at hand. I can’t exactly run a diagnostic when I’m holding back laughter.” Twilight said giggling. “What can I say? I’m hilarious.” My face turned red as I played off Twilights comment. “Right” Twilight winked. “Just clear your mind and let me take another look.” I took a deep breath and pushed my thoughts out of my mind. A short silence followed in which I could hear everypony breathing. Twilights horn made a twinkling sound and I could see the now familiar lavender glow even with my eyes closed. “Interesting… Did you happen to see or hear anything while you were unconscious? Maybe a vision or a dream of some sort?” Twilight probed. “Well…” I hesitated. “Well what? What did you see?” “I think I saw me, but I was in a room made of clouds. The name Cloudsdale rings a bell, but… but I’ve no clue where that is, or where I heard it before…” “Rainbow Dash and I are from Cloudsdale. I don’t remember telling you that though. Did you mention it to him?” Fluttershy looked at Rainbow Dash “No. I said he looked familiar, but I never said anything about it.” Rainbow Dash reasoned. “What else?” Twilight asked, turning her curious eyes back towards me. “There was a filly who said I was her older brother… She…” “Come on, tell us more!” Rainbow Dash yelled, startling me in the process. Fluttershy and Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash with confused eyes. “What? It’s exciting…” “I don’t remember that much about her. She said I was her older brother… She tackled me. And she called me, uhh…” I struggled to remember what the filly said. “You’ve got this, c’mon! Remember!” Rainbow Dash slapped the back of my head with her hoof. “Thundervolt!” I blurted out in shock. “She called me Thundervolt! Ow!” “Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy and Twilight yelled in unison. “Results baby, that’s how it’s done!” Rainbow Dash beamed confidently. “I guess I can’t argue with the turnout…” I said rubbing the back of my head tenderly. “I didn’t take you for an ‘ends justify the means’ kind of pony.” Twilight said apprehensively. “Trust me, I’m not usually. What’s done is done though. So, what does all this mean? Is there”— “Judging from your statements and from my comprehensive scans of your cerebral cortex, I firmly believe that your dreams were actually fragments of your old memory spilling into your current state of mind.” “Seriously?” “How did something like that happen?” Fluttershy asked curiously “That is, if you wouldn’t mind… explaining, of course.” “Lightning.” Twilight said matter-of-factly. “The electricity coursed through his body and coincidentally reconnected some of the pathways in his brain. Not enough to kill him, or to cause a full recovery of course, but enough to spawn some interesting dreams. Sound about right, Thundervolt?” “I guess so… Huh.” I spaced out momentarily. “Thundervolt… It sounds right.” “I think that’s a wonderful name.” Fluttershy said softly. “Yea, that name sounds tough. Cool even. Makes me wonder.” Rainbow Dash said suspiciously. “About what exactly?” I asked. “How could a pushover like you get a cool sounding name like that?” Rainbow Dash smiled facetiously. No… It couldn’t be. “Uh, I… I don’t know…” I mumbled uncomfortably, concealing my suspicions. “Well, I think we’ve made good progress today!” Twilight cut in, catching everypony’s attention. “We figured out how to cure your amnesia, we’ve got a solid plan to go off of, and now we finally have something to call you! Thundervolt: Pony of Mystery!” “I think we should let him rest now Twilight. He’s still in bad shape from his accident, and I think some bed rest would help his recovery.” Fluttershy offered her caretaking advice. “You’re the boss Fluttershy. Let’s bounce everypony!” Rainbow Dash was about to fly off. “Wait!” I raised my voice. “Rainbow Dash, can you stay just a minute?” Rainbow Dash turned her head to the concerned faces of Twilight and Fluttershy. They offered no resistance or understanding to her remaining with me, and so Rainbow Dash turned her head back to me and landed by my side. Fluttershy reluctantly followed Twilight out of the room, leaving me with the cyan pegasus. “So, what did you need…?” “If you don’t mind, I want you to tell me about your time in Cloudsdale.” Chapter 10: Promise “What in the name of Celestia could the mystery pony”— “Thundervolt.” Fluttershy interrupted. “Thundervolt.” I brushed strands of my purple and pink mane out of my face. “What could Thundervolt want with Rainbow Dash!?” My Rainbow Dash… “I’m not sure. Those two seem to be familiar with each other though…” Fluttershy stared distantly at the doorway to the room they previously left. “A little too familiar if you ask me.” I muttered under my breath. “You’ve no reason to be jealous Twilight. I’ve seen them together, and that will never happen.” Fluttershy stated confidently, if not quietly. “J-Jealous? What do you”— “This storm is terrible.” Fluttershy said softly, cutting me off. “I’m… I’m lucky to be alive.” “Fluttershy…” I couldn’t hide the concern on my face. “It’s true though. Thundervolt found me and led me back here. And Rainbow Dash made sure we got back safely. I would have just stood there and watched.” “You mean like I did…” My head sank. “Twilight, you’re a hero in your own right! You saved his life tonight, just like he saved mine! You made the biggest difference here tonight by far! I could have lost him…” Fluttershy’s head sank. I felt my cheeks turn red as I looked back up towards Fluttershy. She brought her head up to meet me, and her sunny smile reassured me that what she said was true. I focused on the curtains of the library’s front windows and they began to glow lavender. I opened them up and peered out into the storm through the relative safety of the glass. “I’m just glad everypony’s alright.” I closed my eyes and exhaled a sigh of relief. “I don’t know where we’d be without them though. Those two pegasi are something else entirely.” “I completely agree.” Fluttershy said with a giggle. Should I tell her? Fluttershy is Rainbow Dash’s best friend. She of all people would know how to handle this… “Fluttershy, can I… can I ask you something?” “Is it about your feelings for Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy cocked her eyebrow and gave me a toothy grin. “What!? No! I mean yes! Well, no. I mean I don’t…” I let out an exasperated breath. “Is it obvious?” “Oh, not until you told me just now.” Fluttershy smiled cunningly “Perfect…” I said flatly. “If Rarity wasn’t so busy with her work, she would have probably picked up on this by now. Months ago even. I thought you two were getting closer, but I didn’t want to assume anything. Now, what exactly did you want to talk about?” “We… We kissed. Or I guess I tried to kiss her, messed up and then she kissed me….” I paused, unsure of how Fluttershy would react to this new piece of information. “Wow!” Fluttershy said with a stunned look on her face. Looks like it isn’t nearly as obvious as I thought. Maybe I’ve got some dignity left. “I told her to make her feelings known, but I didn’t think things would escalate so quickly!” Fluttershy continued. “What!? You knew she was going to do this?” “No, like I said, I just told her to talk to you. I wasn’t even sure you liked her back, which is why I got that information from you.” I glared at Fluttershy, who blushed guiltily before continuing. “Rainbow Dash said she’s been dropping hints your way for a while. She was beginning to think that you weren’t interested.” “But I am! I am very very very very interested!” I couldn’t control myself as my head continued shaking up and down as if agreeing with what I just said. “I can see that Twilight.” Fluttershy smiled. “So if you two kissed… Does that mean you two are”— “I have no idea!” I yelled before collecting myself. “We didn’t get a chance to talk about it.” “Well then what stopped you?” “Your coltfriend woke up.” I said with annoyance. “C-Coltfriend!? That’s a little *gulp* presumptuous, don’t you think?” Fluttershy stammered. “I don’t think so. He’s head over hooves for you, and you’re right there with him.” I said smugly. “Oh, well I-I don’t kn-know if ‘head over hooves’ is the right way to describe it…” Fluttershy nervously mumbled. “Oh, so you’re not in loooooooove with him?” “Twilight! Be quiet! I mean, please.. Uh… If you wouldn’t mind. S-Sorry…” Fluttershy’s teal eyes clenched shut and her whole body shuddered as she took in stifled breaths. Maybe you took it a bit far there Twilight… “Fluttershy, I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to make fun of you like that.” I put my hoof over her back and stroked her soft pink mane. “Is something the matter between the two of you? Do you want to talk ab”— “Oh Twilight, I just don’t know what to do.” Fluttershy sniffed and wiped her now puffy eyes. “How can I love someone I don’t know so easily? He doesn’t even know himself! When I’m with him I feel better than I’ve ever been, but I know that I shouldn’t. Rarity would say to be aggressive and tell him how I feel, but that’s just it! I-I don’t know. It should be easy to know if you love someone, right?” “Fluttershy, you’re talking to the mare that just realized she’s falling for one of her best friends AND determined that her gender preference isn’t quite what she thought it was.” I furrowed my brow and looked the distraught pegasus in the eyes with sincerity. “It’s not always easy, or obvious for that matter.” I stood staring at Fluttershy. She looked back at me with a blank stare. I smiled at her, and she closed her eyes, dipping her head towards the ground. “Fluttershy…” I looked up and saw the yellow pegasus breathing irregularly again. Oh no, she’s crying again. I’ve got to cheer her up somehow. Buck, where is Pinkie Pie when you need her!? “Twilight, you and I are bad at this.” Fluttershy said suddenly with a gentle laugh. “What?” I was caught off guard by Fluttershy’s sudden and unprovoked change in demeanor. “Well I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been with anypony before. Now I’m involved with one that has amnesia and gets struck by lightning.” “I’m not exactly experienced, Fluttershy. I’ve been buried in books and scrolls all my life. I never went out and socialized, which is why you five ponies were my first real friends. Romance just… never occurred to me.” I said half-heartedly. Fluttershy giggled and looked away, beaming with a newfound cheer. “What’s got you so happy? I inquired. “It’s just… him.” Fluttershy glanced towards the next room. “We’re only here because he fell out of the sky. You and I would still be bumbling around without anypony special.” I looked at Fluttershy and saw the resolve in her eyes. She was convinced that Thundervolt brought about these changed, and I was starting to believe it too. ‘That may be true, but what difference does that make? You and I were happy before, right?” “I guess so, Twilight. I mean, well… It’s just that your brother’s wedding really got me thinking about love, and where I was going with my life.” “What are you talking about? You seemed fine without anypony before.” “Everypony seems fine on the surface. I don’t like my friends to see me getting upset over something like that, so I do my best to keep my emotions inside.” “But you cry all the time!” “Yea, but… but… *sniff*” Fluttershy’s eyes welled up with tears OH CELESTIA, NO! “So how were you holding up before!?” I asked hurriedly, trying to interrupt Fluttershy’s outburst. “O-Oh, well… *sniff* I gave all my love to my animal friends. I have plenty of love to give to them, and it’s not like I don’t cherish every moment with them, it’s just…” Fluttershy paused. “Just what?” I asked curiously. “It’s just that it’s so one-sided.” Fluttershy said with frustration. “So you’re saying they can’t reciprocate.” “I know, that sounds ridiculous…” “No, I’m saying that makes perfect sense!” “It does?” “Yes! I know exactly how you feel!” “You do?” Fluttershy seemed doubtful. “Fluttershy, replace ‘Animal Friends’ with ‘Books’ and your situation becomes mine. Things that bring us happiness can’t always reciprocate those feelings. That’s where those two come in.” I nodded towards the two pegasi in the next room. “I’m not sure, Twilight. What if something goes wrong, what if”— “What if something goes right, what if you end up with a great relationship that makes you happy?” “But what about”— “And what if I do the same thing? What if we both get shiny new relationships? We could have double dates Fluttershy! Double dates!” “I think I get it Twili”— “We could rule the world!” I was being too ridiculous for my own good, and lost my composure in a sea of laughter. “Ok, ok! Haha, I get it Twilight. This is an opportunity to pursue something good, and we both need to take it.” “Now you’re getting it!” I said ecstatically “You know what? I think we can do this. No, I know we can do this!” Fluttershy was beaming “Good, then it’s settled. We’re both going for it! Now if you’re hungry, maybe we could get something to”— “Stop it! I don’t want to hear any more about this!” I was cut off mid-sentence by none other than Rainbow Dash. She had yelled at Thundervolt in the other, loud enough so that the entire population of Ponyville would have heard had it not been for the storms prevalent sound. By the tone of her voice, I could tell she was angry, and quite possibly hurt. I took a step towards the source of the outburst, but before I got any closer to the next room a streak of blue whizzed past me and left a rainbow trail headed for the kitchen. I then heard a rushed shuffling coming from the room Rainbow Dash left. “Wait, come back! I didn’t-OOF” Thundervolt stumbled from the room, tangled in his bed sheets before collapsing in a heap of limbs and fabric. “I’ve got you!” Fluttershy moved to aid the ensnared Pegasus. I turned from the two ponies and headed towards the kitchen, after the blue streak. Let’s go get a snack, shall we Twilight? I expected to see Rainbow Dash fuming with anger. I prepared myself to deal with her stubborn attitude and irrationality. Once I stepped into the kitchen however, I was met with a calm and quiet pegasus I rarely ever saw. “Hey there Rainbow Dash.” I said gently. “Hey Twilight.” The pegasus said with a smile. She was looking at me as though nothing happened. “So… What are you… up too?” I asked uneasily. “Nothing. Just chilling here.” “Chilling is good. Much better than speeding. You know, like speeding recklessly through my house.” Rainbow Dash winced, indicating my probe hit its mark. “Would you like to tell me about that?” “Twilight…” The cyan pegasus looked up at me with glistening eyes. “Dash, are you… crying?” “What!? No!” Rainbow Dash immediately perked up. “I’m just… Ugh. I don’t even know what I am.” “Judging by that face you just made, I’d say frustrated.” I smiled. “Haha, sounds about right.” Rainbow Dash smiled back. I paused for a moment and took in rainbow Dash’s image. Her shining cyan coat and vibrant rainbow mane were spectacles on their own, both drawing my gaze into her deep magenta eyes. I could feel my pulse quickening and my temperature rising as I lost myself in her features. Features like her red cheeks and awkward smile. Red cheeks and awkward smile? Oh Celestia, your just staring at her Twilight! “Oh uh, hello!” I stammered anxiously. “Hi there, Twilight. You ok?” Rainbow Dash said, holding back what appeared to be a laugh. “What about you? What was that with you and Thundervolt?” I asked, diverting the conversation away from my ‘appreciation’ of the rainbow maned pegasus. “*Sigh* He asked me about Cloudsdale.” Rainbow Dash’s demeanor turned somber quickly. “Well, what about it? How does that call for an exit like that?” I pointed my hoof towards the other room. “Twilight…” The rainbow-maned pegasus closed her eyes. Asecond later, she looked back up and met my stare with an unsure look. “…I can’t remember anything specific from the majority of my childhood.” “What!?” Memory spell? Severe head injury? Traumatic childhood event? “It’s like I know the memories are there. I just… I just can’t get to them. Every time I try, all I see is grey…” Memory spell. Without waiting for consent, I charged some magic into my horn. I focused the energy into my forehead, and channeled it back out through my horn into Rainbow Dash. She was enveloped in a pulsing lavender aura and closed her eyes in surprise. Her eyes stayed closed, but her scrunched features indicated that she was thinking very hard. “Grey, grey, grey, grey… One year.” Dash opened her eyes and wore a flat, disappointed look. “One year? What do you mean?” I asked urgently. “My memory… only goes back to one year before I enrolled in Flight School. I can’t remember anything specific before that.” “You knew though, didn’t you… How long?” I asked, fearing the worst. “Since that same day. I always know that I lived in Cloudsdale, and that I belonged there. But when I think really hard, I notice that I can’t recall much. Now I know that I can’t recall anything.” “This isn’t good…” “No, it’s not. That must be why Thundervolt would say…” Rainbow Dash trailed off. “What did he say?” Rainbow Dash snapped out of her blank look and stared directly at me. “Thundervolt isn’t the only pony that needs the stone.” “You want me to recover your memory too!?” I was anxious and very hesitant. “What if… What if it hurts you?” “It’s a risk I need to take, Twilight. Something is very wrong here. I’m going to remember what it is if it kills me.” A chill ran down my spine at Rainbow Dash’s statement. I’d never thought of her mortality until this moment, always seeing the cyan pegasus as a constant. Rainbow Dash must have picked up on my discomfort, as she suddenly moved in to comfort me. “Look, don’t be afraid. It’s just a little forgetfulness. I’ll get that stone, get zapped, and everything will be fine!” Rainbow Dash said confidently. “That kind of optimism from you scares me, haha.” “Well everything is going to be fine. You can hold me to that if you want. Like a promise.” “Is it like a promise, or is it an actual promise?” I inquired, hoping for something I couldn’t quite think of. “Twilight Sparkle, I’m giving you my word that no matter what happens from this point onward, that everything is going to be fine. I will go to all ends of Equestria to make sure that I keep to my word.” Rainbow Dash’s eyes were filled with honesty and confidence rivaling that of Applejack. “Promise?” I asked once more to make sure. “Promise.” Rainbow Dash said resolutely. “Good. Thank you.” “No problem.” Rainbow Dash yawned. “Shall we hit the hay?” “Are you asking me to sleep with you, Rainbow Dash?” I teased the pegasus with a sly smile. “What!? Oh, well no! Well, not no, just not”— “I’m kidding.” I said giggling. “Thanks for the heart attack!” “You’re welcome. C’mon, let’s get some rest.” As I prepared to get some sleep, I couldn’t help but drift back towards my worried thoughts. Something doesn’t seem right here. Amnesic ponies followed by newly discovered memory gaps. This can’t be a coincidence, can it? It just seems so…strange. The faster we can get both of their memories back, the better… As I drifted off to sleep, something was floating on the edge of my thoughts, just barely escaping my perception. It had to be something about their memories, something I was missing. Before I could grasp it my eyelids fell shut, leaving the thought to my unconscious mind, and my worries for the morning. Chapter 11: After the Storm Tomorrow is the day. I glanced at the clock on Twilight’s bedroom wall. Today. Today is the day, and apparently it has been the day for an hour now. I rolled and shifted my weight in bed, attempting to reach a comfortable position. I woke up an hour and a half ago and hadn’t been able to get back to sleep. Ironically, the loud and unpredictable maelstrom outside had been serving as an amazing lullaby. This new silence was both unfamiliar, and deafening. I expected to wake up feeling sore, but for some reason I felt great. My broken left wing felt abnormally warm, but I didn’t question it. What was aching when I went to sleep now felt energized, almost tingling. My flanks were bristling with energy, and my limbs felt restless. I decided to get up and give my body a stretch. I planted my feet on the ground and started for the door when something in the corner of the room moved, catching my eye. Fluttershy had fallen asleep in the chair across from my bed, watching over me just as she had been not a night before. Last night. Could it really have been just one night since then? With my perception of time disoriented, I wasn’t sure how long I stood in that same spot watching Fluttershy sleep. I couldn’t help but think I was violating some of her privacy. She was just so peaceful, like an angel sent down from her home in the clouds to live a mortal life. All of her beauty and grace was present, even while she slept. I shook my head, snapping out of my trance. Staring at Fluttershy only served to excite my heart, not to stretch my limbs. I reluctantly looked away and headed out the door, looking for some fresh air. I entered the main room of the Library and looked around. I never had a chance to take in the amazing architecture of the library without being questioned, or receiving medical treatment. The entire house was carved into a large tree, and the amazing part was that the tree stayed alive, always growing and always inviting. I ran my hoof across the wall and could almost feel the tree respirate. I surveyed the rest of the room and found my eyes drawn to a lit area, about five feet around where moonlight descended onto a rug. On the rug was a cyan form I immediately recognized as Rainbow Dash. I was surprised to see her there, mainly due to the fact that she slept so quietly. I moved more cautiously to avoid disturbing her, and looked towards the source of her illumination. The light came from an upstairs window I hadn’t seen before. The double doors next to the window indicated the presence of a balcony, and I did get up for some fresh air. I climbed the stairs towards the doors and noticed a candle sitting on a small end table beside the doors. No wax had dripped from the candle yet, indicating it was freshly lit. I pushed open the door closest to the candle and found Twilight standing out on the veranda. Twilight did not turn around to greet me as I approached her. She instead continued gazing up at the stars. I stood next to her and looked into the same night sky. “They’re beautiful.” I said calmly. “Yes, yes they are.” Twilight said with appreciation. The sky engulfed by the tempest not a few hours ago was now clear and peaceful. The stars were speckled everywhere, providing light for the deep mysterious blue they drifted in. The swirling giants were collectively beautiful, forged by time and gravity, seeming perfect enough to be considered celestial artwork. “The Horse Head Nebula is particularly bright tonight.” Twilight continued. “I almost can’t believe this is the same night. It’s just stunning…” I said, totally in awe at the sight before me. “Luna is lucky to have the privilege of seeing this every night.” “Luna?” I said feeling suddenly concerned. “Princess Luna. The younger of two royal alicorn sisters. She holds dominion over the night in Equestria.” Twilight said sounding like a dictionary entry. “She sounds…familiar” I said with unwarranted irritation. “I would imagine so; she is a princess after all.” “Yea, I guess so.” Luna… Did I know her? “The last time I saw her was after my brother’s wedding. She was a little cranky that night, not sure why. Maybe the noise kept her up.” Twilight speculated. “Noise? Loud wedding?” “Changeling Invasion. No big deal, we handled it.” Twilight said non-chalantly. There’s that bad feeling again… “I see…sounds exciting.” I said flatly. “It was an interesting ceremony.” Twilight said with a giggle. I was about to change the subject when the lavender pony did it for me. “So, how are you feeling? Your injuries were fairly severe. I’m surprised you’re walking!” “I’m feeling good. Great, actually.” I said enthusiastically “Really?” Twilight asked skeptically. “You’re sure?” “Yea. I woke up and thought I should feel sore, but I felt really good.” “Hmm… May I?” Twilight made her horn glow dimly. “Of course.” Twilight began to scan my body. “Is anything the matter?” “This… this is unbelievable. Impossible.” Twilight said doubtfully. “What? What’s wrong?” “Nothing, you’re completely fine.” Twilight grabbed the bandage on my wing and yanked it towards her. “Hey, what are you”— I braced myself for the pain, but it never came. I opened my eyes and looked at my wing in total shock. My broken wing was completely healed. I stretched it out, flapping both wings multiple times to make sure I wasn’t insane. I t was all real. My wing healed itself in only a few hours. “Tw-Twilight? What’s going on?” The confusion and fear were apparent in my voice. “Let me see your flank.” Twilight requested hurriedly. Before I could even process the question, Twilight once again acted of her own accord. She moved around to observe my cutie mark and planted her feet firmly by my side. “Hmm, I wonder.” Twilight levitated a nearby quill towards her. “Hold still!” Without any specific warning (and once again without permission) Twilight slashed at my foreleg leaving a small cut running down its side. “Why would you do that!?” I yelled in confusion. “Don’t worry, its all a part of the plan.” Irritation aside, I let Twilight continue. Despite my better judgment, I trusted Twilight. She had that look about her. She was very outgoing, helpful, and above all, trustworthy. The soft lavender glow of her horn running over my body had become almost familiar to me. I watched her work and saw a unicorn dedicated and focused on anything she set out to do. Her immersion was almost inspiring to watch. Twilight stopped her scan and reviewed the data she collected in her head. She had a mixed reaction, moving from shock, to skepticism, and finally to intrigue. “You… you’re something else entirely.” Twilight said sounding impressed. “Uh, thanks…I guess?” I was visibly confused. “You have no idea what your body is capable of.” Twilight paused before cutting me off again. “Every cell in your body capable of regeneration is doing so at an alarming rate, and yet there’s something keeping that in check. You seem to regrow all your cells to the correct point, without ever suffering from tumors or other complications. You’re a walking miracle.” “H-How is this happening?” “Look at your flank.” Twilight said. I looked back on her command and my eyes went wide. My cutie mark was moving. The static field around my white cloud was reverberating like actual electricity. It seemed to pulse faster and move more sporadically, filling me with worry. I wasn’t very familiar with the anatomy of a cutie mark, but judging by Twilights reaction, my situation was far from normal. “I knew it! Awesome!” Twilight said very uncharacteristically. “Awesome? Last time I checked you were Twilight, not Rainbow Dash.” I teased. “Why aren’t you more distracted by this? Whatever, just look at your foreleg!” My eyes once again followed Twilights command and peered towards my scratched foreleg. The scratch seemed unchanged, but it had a sort of radiance about it. Before I could think any further, the scratch began to seal itself, moving through all the standard stages of healing in an instant. My foreleg was now totally restored, as if nothing had happened. What’s going on here, this is nothing short of insane! “It’s not insane; it’s just how your body works apparently. For some reason, your body is able to repair itself quickly and effectively with little to no treatment.” “Take your mind reading somewhere else.” I said curtly. “Oh be quiet, I was mid brain scan.” Twilight retorted, dismissing my annoyance. “Oh you two are perfect for each other.” I said mockingly, tilting my head towards Rainbow Dash’s sleeping form. “How did you know about that?” “I didn’t until you just told me. I’m not a mind reader.” “Ugh…” Twilight slapped her hoof to her forehead in frustration. “I may be perfect for her, but at least I’m not exactly like her. You’re at least as difficult as she is.” “I’m not nearly as difficult as she is!” I said stubbornly. Wow, that proves it Thundervolt. You aren’t stubborn at all. I’m sure Twilight is laughing hysterically on the inside. Aren’t you Twilight? “You would be correct.” Twilight giggled. “Ok, so now that that’s settled, why am I able to passively regenerate cells so quickly? Standard rates of mitosis for pegasi are generally much slower than what I seem capable of. This seems unnatural.” I reasoned. Wait, what the buck did I just say? Twilights eyebrows perked up and her lips pursed. She was clearly taken aback by my sudden display of knowledge. “Uh, well I don’t know how or why. I just know how it works. I think.” “I’d love to hear it, Twilight. Care to share?” “Of course.” Twilight cleared her throat. “Your body is coursing through with electricity.” “Lightning?” I said expectantly. “Yes and no. The lightning didn’t actually cause this condition in your body. If anything, it served to recharge or amplify the high amounts of electrons already present in your body. Judging from how we found you in that crater, I shouldn’t be so surprised. You were almost totally healed. Anyway, everypony has some kind of electrical charge in them, but your charge is much more prevalent. It’s almost like the charge is coming from your bloodstream, and the surrounding cells in your circulatory system. The electricity is working in conjunction with your nervous system, speeding up your body’s reaction to…well, everything!” “Everything?” “Just about. Metabolic processes, muscular response time”— “Cognitive regeneration?” I blurted out hopefully. “Somewhat… If nothing else, it seems to have boosted your vocabulary quite a bit in the past few hours.” Twilight said suspiciously. “Are you ok? You seem a bit…twitchy.” “Uh, no…no. Everything is fine.” I turned away from Twilight. “Well thanks for confirming my suspicions that you are in fact, not fine.” Twilights face softened. “Come on, you can tell me what’s bothering you. I’m almost as nice as Fluttershy.” I was reluctant to tell Twilight of my concerns. It didn’t seem like my place to do so. I glanced over at Rainbow Dash and a look of worry flashed across my face. Twilight picked up on this immediately. “It’s about her memory, isn’t it…?” “So she told you then. I was worried about this, and I had to see if she was affected. She has it so much worse than I do.” I said plainly. “What do you mean?” “I have no idea who I was. Everything I know at this point, I learned in the past 48 hours. In other words, I’m new here. I don’t have much to lose should something happen. Anything I can remember anyway.” “Don’t talk like that, you have plenty to lose!” “I’m not here to sound depressing, I’m just stating fact. I’m sure I’ve gained things worth losing, but that’s not the point right now. The point is that Rainbow Dash already has a life. The loss of even a part of her memory, even old memories that don’t seem to make a difference, must be terrifying for her. She’s brave, but I just don’t know how she’s going to deal with it if for some reason this stone doesn’t do what you say it will.” “Well…” Twilight trailed off, at a loss for words. “It’s going to work.” “I hope so.” “I’ll make it work for her. She deserves that much, and so so much more.” Twilight said, more passionate than I’d ever seen her. We both turned our attention to the cyan pegasus bathed in the moonlight. Her sleeping frame was undisturbed and peaceful, free from our concern and doubt. Twilights eyes were filled to the brim with emotion. Happiness, appreciation, and love simultaneously burst from her gaze. My eyes were not as blessed as hers. Concern, doubt, guilt. I felt as though I was the one to bring this upon her. “You know you didn’t though, right?” Twilight’s voice echoed in my head. You’re going to make a point of constantly reading my mind, aren’t you? “That’s right.” Twilight’s voice chuckled smugly. Rainbow Dash uncurled and rolled onto her back, taking in a deep breath. She was completely stretched out and yet completely motionless. Twilight and I leaned forward, unsure of what the sleeping pegasus was doing. After another few moments, the previously statuesque Rainbow Dash let out a satisfied sigh, rolled to the opposite side she came from, and curled up into another ball. Twilight and I looked at each other, stifling adoring laughter. “She’s really good at that.” I said “What, sleeping?” Twilight asked doubtfully. “Draining my energy.” I said. “Haha, she’s good at draining everyone’s energy. Though I think Pinkie Pie has her beat.” “Probably. I’ve never seen such a rambunctious pony.” “Definitely not. Well, I think we should take Dash’s cue and get some rest. We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow.” “Today.” “Today starts when I wake up.” Twilight said, brushing my comment off. “Goodnight Thundervolt. Get some sleep.” “Goodnight Twilight.” As she left the balcony, I couldn’t bring myself to go back to sleep. I stayed out in the cool, damp night air for a while longer, letting all my worries slip away. One thought pierced through my head the whole time however. After the last few days of dealing with random injuries and rampant amnesia, only one thing seemed to matter at this point. I was not the only pony to be stricken with memory loss. I was not the only pony with something to lose. I was not the only pony about to risk life and hoof in the Everfree forest. Content with my reflection, I moved off the balcony and towards the comfortable bed I previously left. I passed by Rainbow Dash and found that Twilight had inserted herself into the cyan pegasus’s blissful bubble. Rainbow Dash was wrapped lovingly in Twilights arms, safe from all harm. Seeing this only served to strengthen my cause, and further sharpen my resolve. I entered Twilights room, slipped under the covers, and rested my head on my pillow. “For Rainbow Dash” I said quietly, before drifting off to sleep. Part II of Falling from the Sky has come to a close. Next up, our heroes set out on their quests, and more will be revealed, and ponies shall be met. But are those ponies good? Are they bad? Or are they ugly? Thank you all for reading!