//------------------------------// // 1 - A Grand Entrance // Story: The Storm's Challenge // by OneLonelyPickle //------------------------------// The Storm's Challenge Written by OneLonelyPickle Chapter 1 - A Grand Entrance Trumpets tore through the air in Ponyville, shrill and brass, as an esteemed guest made his way to the center of town.   “Oooh! Oooh! Mr. Maelstrom, sir! Over here!” shouted Rainbow Dash, jumping up and down and spinning as she hovered over the ground. Her cries fell short of her idol, who was bombarded on all sides by ponies like Rainbow, screaming their hearts out. Whether you were a young-blooded flyer, an easily-impressed everypony trying to catch a glimpse of a celebrity, or one of the hundreds of mares admiring the muscular form of Maelstrom, there truly was something for everypony.   The most well known flyer in Equestria, Maelstrom “The Storm” moved towards the center of town, bringing with him a massive crowd of followers. Rainbow decided to fly ahead and get a spot before there were none left. She took to the air, a gluttonous smile devouring her face.   - - -   “Welcome, everypony, to this most amazing of events!”   The mayor's always-jubilant voice reverberated off of the walls of buildings, and the hides of ponies, as she began her speech.   “Though he truly needs no introduction, well -- here it goes: He’s one of Equestria's greatest flyers—” Even if the mayor had intended to continue, it was impossible now to cut through the thick growth of sound that had erupted out of the crowd. Ponies of all sizes, colors, genders, and races were shouting, screaming and cheering their loudest, and Rainbow was no exception. She could feel her heart about to burst from the excitement.   The mayor backed up, clearing the path for the strutting, mercurial Maelstrom, who was now making his way to the podium. On either side of the massive red pegasus were two equally massive guards, covered head to hoof in gleaming emerald armor. Gliding in the air above Ponyville were three dozen more guards. Like hungry eagles they watched the crowd, their x-ray-like vision scanning every mane and flank for any signs of ill intent.   “Helloooo, all you amazing ponies of Ponyville!” Maelstrom shouted, sounding more like a command than a comment. From Sweet Apple Acres to the edge of the Everfree Forest, one could not twitch without the sound of mindless cheering filling one's curious ears. Rainbow was biting her forehoof absent-mindedly hard as she screamed through her cyan flesh like a little filly.   How could something so awesome happen in her lifetime? Did dreams really come true? Was it possible she was just dreaming? Were the hundreds, maybe even thousands, of ponies around her just figments of her overactive imagination? How about the guards or the much-loved Maelstrom himself? Did it even matter if the heart-pounding event was just one of Rainbow's sleep-induced phenomenon? Rainbow was snapped out of her thoughts — Maelstrom continued.   “I do not agree with the mayor’s sentiments that no introduction is required — if we’re all going to work together in the following week to put together the greatest air show of Equestria's history, I at least need to open myself up to each and every one of you.” Maelstrom had to stop to let the crowd die down. It was indescribable how much feedback his words were attracting. After a pause, he resumed his speech.   “My name is Maelstrom — some of you might know me as 'The Storm'. I’m forty-eight years old, and I can still whoop young pegasi in a 100-lap race with my eyes blindfolded! I founded the Equestria Flyers League when I was just twenty-two, and since then it’s grown to be the largest organization for pegasi athletes in the country." Maelstrom reviewed the crowd with a gentle, approving smile. "I’ve devoted my life to the sport of flying, and it warms my heart to see such a reaction from you fine, humble folk—”   The crowd responded accordingly: with another wave of decibels. Maelstrom looked to his left, whispered a few words to a guard, then turned back around, his smile ever-present. From Rainbow's perch atop a cloud positioned directly above town hall, she could see it all: the mares screaming "I love you", the athletes hoof bumping the air, and all of the fillies and colts hopping in place excitedly. Ponyville was in love with Maelstrom. That same superstar began to speak once more.   “Now, I know what some of you will be thinking: 'Maelstrom, isn’t this little contest of yours a little too similar to the Equestria Games?" The ponies in the crowd turned to one another and mumbled amongst themselves. "No, my ponies, it is not." Maelstrom continued. "My contest, my challenge, is first and foremost a spectacle to watch and be awed at by the spectators, and to be bitterly fought over by its contenders! It is NOT about mere friendly competition. Furthermore, we are going to focus exclusively on the art of flying. We want to find out precisely what flyers can accomplish when pushed to their maximum limits!" The pegasi in the crowd cheered, Rainbow being no exception. "And for you non-flyers," Maelstrom's loud voice thundered throughout Ponyville, "I hope what occurs in the next week awakens in you the passion to try something extraordinary yourself. Go and join a marathon, go mountain climbing, swim across the Aclopagos River — it doesn’t matter!" "What matters is that you let your spirit be free to do as it pleases. You must live every day as if it is your last! To not be restrained by what anypony says you should or shouldn't do!” Rainbow felt a vibration on her cloud. She turned around to see that Fluttershy had landed next to her. Fluttershy smiled behind her mane, which then like at most times acted like a mask hiding her demure face. “F-Fluttershy!" Rainbow stuttered, loud enough to be heard amidst the commotion. "C-can you believe this? That’s Maelstrom RIGHT THERE!” Fluttershy tried to reply, but the noise built up all around her was overpowering. She stepped back in defeat, then regained her courage, stepped forever, and started screaming at the top of her lungs. Yet Rainbow had her eyes fixated on Maelstrom, and heard nothing. "The Storm" was an immaculate example of a pegasus. His wings, when outstretched, spanned at least 12 feet. His hooves were toned and appeared to be crafted by a deity. His coat, covered in an impressive sheen, bounced light rays off it like a mirror. His eyes, deep and emerald, sucked up attention like a vacuum. He was an alpha male in every sense of the concept. “All you pegasi out there, remember this," Maelstrom encouraged, "These games are for YOU. Take this time to show the whole country what YOU are made of. Shine your brightest, and may the Princesses—" Maelstrom abruptly stopped speaking. He looked out to the crowd, and Rainbow thought it looked like he was deciding his next words. Maelstrom shook his head, furrowed his brow as if a new determination had come about him, and continued. "May the Princesses bestow upon you a blessing of good luck!" “I now officially open registration for The Storm’s Challenge to the flyers of Ponyville!” Maelstrom flew into the air just above his podium and stretched out his fore and back hooves in a mighty demonstration, and as he did fireworks exploded in the air above the stage. An entourage of flyers zoomed past the skies above Ponyville trailing red and green colored smokes behind them and creating a booming drum as they cut through the sound barrier. Madness overtook the crowd and the screams of ponies doubled in volume compared to earlier. Elderly ponies had to cover their ears or risk permanent damage. Pegasi of all descriptions headed for the sign-up booths as Maelstrom made a final wave to the crowd and took his leave, his guards emotionlessly in tow.   Rainbow was about to take her leave when a voice stopped her dead in her tracks. A shiver of ecstasy slithered down her spine as the weight on the cloud increased substantially.   “Hey, if it isn’t Rainbow Dash!” exclaimed a pony Rainbow could tell was Spitfire. Rainbow slowly turned her head around as if it was attached to a rusty hinge, a goofy smile plastered on her face. Another pony, Soarin', also landed on the cloud in front of Fluttershy.   “What's up, Rainbow?” asked Soarin'. “Long time no see, dude!”   Rainbow bowed her head and crossed her fore hooves, attempting some sort of curtsy, more out of excited impulse and less out of respect. It only happened for a second before Rainbow hastily turned "Cool Mode" on: her wings were straightened against her, her chest was pushed out uncomfortably, and her mane sat over her left eye.   “H-hey guys — oh, I'm cool Soarin', y'know, just like always, hehe." Rainbow's far-too-quick response, coupled with the awkward snicker added to the end of her sentence, made her sound quite uncool. Regardless, the Wonderbolts were not phased. Spitfire got to the point.   “So Rainbow, I guess I don't even have to ask if you're going to join the race.”   Rainbow relaxed and batted the air with her hoof. “Psshh — Yeah, of course I'm joining!"   Soarin' spoke, "You know, there's gonna be a ton of competition. This race isn't open to just Equestrians. I heard that a lot of flyers outside of the country will attend as well.”   Spitfire nodded. “Oh yeah, definitely. There's even a rumor going around among us Wonderbolts that Zephyr'll be attending. I mean, if the Flyers League is taking part in the races, he's got to be coming too.”   Soarin' quickly added, “Me and Fleetfoot were just talkin' about that, like, ten minutes ago! Wouldn't that be freaking awesome?”   “Oh dude, totally!” chimed Spitfire as she high-hooved her companion.   Rainbow's heart dropped to her toes. “Z-Zephyr… THE Zephyr, c-coming to Ponyville?”   This was a far bigger deal than Rainbow could have ever imagined. Zephyr was the leader of one of the Equestria Flyers League’s top teams, and if he was going to attend, who else might come to claim the title?   Spitfire turned to face the melting pile of fangirl that was Rainbow. “He won't be coming to Ponyville, silly -- well, not unless he wants to. The Storm's Challenge is going to be held above Canterlot, at Saddlebred Citadel.”   “NO WAY! We get to go to THE Saddlebred Citadel?” Rainbow couldn't help but squeal.   Soarin' grinned. “Well, that's only if you sign up and enter the race. The Citadel moves all across Equestria and this is the first time it's going to be in Canterlot. Nopony who calls themselves a flyer is going to want to miss this!"   Fluttershy wasn't at all interested in the races or the Citadel. Nevertheless, she felt awkward not joining the conversation, so she stepped forward. An idea entered her mind, causing a blush to color her cheeks pink, and she spoke in a loud voice that somehow seemed like a whisper.   “U-um, do you Wonderbolts know somepony named Bushwhacker? He's a... friend of mine." Fluttershy's quiet voice just barely registered in Soarin's ears, and he replied while blinking rapidly.   “Oh, yeah, Bushwhacker. He's in the Flyers League right? We sometimes race with them, and I've seen him around...” Soarin and Spitfire exchanged odd glances.   “He's a rather, err, interesting pegasus… to say the least.” Spitfire rolled her eyes, her half-drawn smile not hiding her true opinion well.   Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Fluttershy, how do you know a pony in the Flyers League? They, like, never come to Ponyville!”   Fluttershy spoke as she twiddled her hooves. “Oh, but B-Bushwhacker is a member of the Society for Better Living with Animals, like me, s-so I used to see him once a month in Canterlot.  We discussed animals and how to properly take care of them. He's an amazingly good flyer, a-almost as good as you, Rainbow. But I haven’t seen him in a while…”   Spitfire gently pushed Rainbow and changed the subject. “Almost as good. But I think Dashie here's got what it takes to be number one. Her and Lightning Dust swept house at our lesson last year. I’d never seen that kind of skill from newbies in all my time with the Bolts!”   “Heck yeah!” hailed Soarin', “And remember her back in the Best Young Flyer competition the year before that? She's the only pony to perform a sonic rainboom in, like, a million years!”   Rainbow blushed, tracing her hoof along the cloud beneath her. “Well, actually, I made a sonic rainboom when I was younger too… when I was a filly.”   The two Wonderbolts were speechless. It took awhile for them to find their tongues, but eventually Spitfire made a suggestion.   “Say Rainbow, how'd you like to come with us to sign up for the contest? We’d be honored to have you with us!”   An explosion of happiness overtook Rainbow's face until it was impossible for the engorged smile to envelop any more space, and she managed to stammer out an answer, “S-sure!”   With that the uncontrollable pegasus leapt into the sky, as an excited foal would leap into a clear pool of water on a day just as hot as that one. Rainbow briefly twirled around before turning her attention to Fluttershy, who was still standing on the cloud.   “Y-you comin' Fluttershy?” she asked.   Fluttershy shook her head. “No, but thanks for asking. I'm a pretty terrible racer and an even worse competitor. Besides, I have to go help Rarity get rid of a family of bats living in her attic. Oh, but if you see Bush—”   Rainbow had already zoomed away after the Wonderbolts. “Bye, Rainbow,” Fluttershy whispered with a wave. She sighed, her face still a little hot, though she knew not why. She took her sweet time descending from the cloud, feeling the cool yet refreshing breeze rustle her angelic mane and work its way through her delicate wings. Ponies were running about every which way, going about their daily business as best they could amidst the commotion. It made Fluttershy smile, albeit it also made her a tad anxious.   With hooves planted firmly on the solid earth once more, Fluttershy began a leisurely trot towards Carousel Boutique.