//------------------------------// // Most Unusual Weather // Story: Rocinante and the Return of Chivalry // by Charliemane //------------------------------// Sassaflash stared intently at the single pink cloud in the sky from the ground. Even though it was her day off, Sassaflash was very curious what exactly this lone cloud was and why it was out here all by itself. When it came to the weather, she may not be as fast as Rainbow Dash or as skilled as Cloud Chaser, but she could name and identify every type of cloud produced in Equestria. Every one, that is, except this one. Finally she couldn't take it anymore and took flight. She had to get a closer look if she was going to learn anything about this strange cloud, however as she drew closer to it, it began moving away all on its own. Sassaflash went from surprised to perplexed as she attempted to catch the fleeing cloud, however it proved to be far too fast for her and soon she began to lose hope as the distance between her and her target grew. Before long, all she could think about was what she would tell the weather team when they asked her where their cloud went, but before she lost sight of it help arrived in the form of Rainbow Dash. The multicolored pegasus had been taking it easy in the skies. She had just begun to lazily pull up into a slow climb when suddenly the pink cloud raced by her, knocking her into a small spin before continuing off into the distance. Rainbow Dash didn't even notice the panting Sassaflash trailing behind her as she raced after the rogue cloud in a rage. “Come back here you!” When she caught it, she had expected the rogue cloud to dissipate into the sky on impact, but instead it was like a glue, sticking all over her. Thankfully her wings weren't caught in the sticky mess and she hovered for a moment to examine what was stuck to her. Despite how far behind she was, Sassaflash could clearly see that Rainbow Dash was also confused by the unusual cloud. She had hoped that maybe Rainbow would know more about today's weather and why such a thing was floating out over town. But before she could get too close, several more clouds raced in front of her from seemingly out of nowhere. Sassaflash rolled hard to her left to avoid getting hit, but there were too many of them for her to dodge. One of the clouds softly collided with Sassaflash on her left side, its sticky material gluing her wing to her body. As she spiraled out of control, Sassaflash forced herself to breathe as she struggled to keep aloft with only her right wing, but it was hopeless. She was losing altitude too quickly. Seeing no other option, Sassaflash bit into the strange substance in an effort rip it off of her wing. She wasn't certain what she expected as far as taste was concerned, though she certainly wasn't expecting the flavor she was met with. “It's sweet...like...cotton candy?” Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Sassaflash resumed licking and biting at her wing. She didn't have time to think about how or why clouds of cotton candy were soaring across Ponyville. She had to get free, and fast. Finally her wing ripped free from her side with a jolt. Though the cotton candy took some of her coat with it, Sassaflash didn't even notice the pain as she desperately pulled up as hard as she could to keep from crashing. Skimming the ground with just a length of grass to spare, Sassaflash pulled up into a bush and then tumbled through it and into the side of Carousel Boutique. It was a hard impact and landing, but it was still one that she could walk away from, once the world quit spinning around her. “My goodness darling! Are you alright?” Sassaflash blinked her eyes a few times to pull them back into focus as she looked up to see the concerned figures of Rarity and Sweetie Belle standing over her. Nodding weakly, Sassaflash struggled to get off the ground as the two sisters helped her up. “Yes... yes I think so.” Rarity looked at her with a clear concern in her eyes as she looked over the wounded pegasus. “We watched you fly into the wall. It looked terrible, are you sure you're alright?” Sassaflash nodded again and looked to the sky, Rainbow Dash was already pursuing one of the cotton candy clouds out of town towards Sweet Apple Acres, and pursuing her was an entire sky of clouds raining chocolate milk. The sheer absurdity of what she was witnessing made Sassaflash feel light headed as she leaned back against the wall. “Y-Yes. I'm fine, but I think the Apple family might be in for a storm...” Sweetie Belle looked up as the chocolate milk began to rain down around them. “Chocolate milk? Miss Sassaflash, what's going on?” Sassaflash slumped to the ground and shook her head. “I have no idea anymore...” No sooner had she sat on the ground, then Rarity began swiftly pushing her towards the door, obviously eager to get inside. “Well darling, you can't just stand out here in the rain...or the chocolate...milk... Anyways, come inside dear.” Sassaflash turned her head towards the town hall where several pegasus ponies were already scrambling to get control of the weather, but her head was still spinning, which made even low level flying a bad idea. Sweetie Belle helped her inside and to a couch while Rarity used her magic to grab her matching umbrella and raincoat. “I really should get out and see how Applejack is doing. I can't imagine chocolate is good for the soil. Sweetie Belle? Be a dear and make sure Miss Sassaflash is comfortable while she recovers.” “Really I'm fine. Don't trouble yourself over me.” As Sassaflash started to rise from the couch Rarity shook her head and motioned for her to lay back down. “Nonsense, it's no trouble at all and we certainly can't let you go flying about when you clearly need some rest.” Sassaflash wasn't sure what Rarity meant until she looked down and noticed that despite her sitting on the couch, she still seemed to be wobbling quite a bit. Perhaps she had landed harder than she thought. As Sweetie Belle half pulled her down on the couch, Rarity began for the door. “Besides, you can watch Sweetie Belle for me while I go help Applejack.” Sweetie Belle, clearly annoyed that what she thought was her new responsibility was in fact an excuse for her to have a foalsittter, gave her sister a disgruntled look. “Hey!” “Now Sweetie Belle, if Miss Sassaflash isn't any better when I get back, we'll call Nurse Redheart. Until then, just...help her relax won't you?” Rarity put on her best smile as the turned and walked outside. As the door closed, Sweetie Belle placed her fore-hooves on the couch and lifted herself up on her hind legs so she could remove some of the height difference between her and her patient. “Can I get you anything Miss Sassaflash?” “No, thank you Sweetie Belle. I'm fine really.” “Are you sure?” As Sweetie Belle looked up at her with imploring eyes, Sassaflash uncomfortably looked around. “Well... perhaps a glass of water would be nice...” Sweetie Belle immediately smiled and bounced off towards the kitchen, saying something about a cutie mark crusader bedside nurse, but Sassaflash didn't even notice as she looked out the window towards the train station. She couldn't stay here too long. Her cousin was supposed to be coming into town today and the thought of what he might make of this weather more than slightly alarmed her. As Sassaflash drank the water that Sweetie Belle brought, she noticed that the young filly was suddenly preoccupied with her flank. After checking herself on both sides, Sweetie Belle sighed and sat on the floor with a depressed look on her face. The two sat in silence for only a moment before Sassaflash realized that she couldn't keep her curiosity in check any longer. “Is...something wrong?” “No... I just haven't got my cutie mark yet.” Sassaflash smirked as she remembered how eager she had been to get hers. “Don't worry, it'll come when it's time.” Sweetie Belle looked up at her with an annoyed expression as she puffed her cheeks out. “That's what everypony says, but it feels like I've been waiting forever!” Leaning forward, Sassaflash patted the filly on the head. “I know a pony who had to wait much longer than you have to get his.” Sweetie Belle's eye lit up at the idea of learning about some other pony who had to wait for their cutie mark and, more importantly, how they got it. “Who?” “My cousin, Rocinante, was a full fledged stallion with a successful business of his own before his cutie mark came to him.” Sweetie Belle's face went from intrigue to horror. “I don't want to wait that long!” Immediately regretting telling Sweetie Belle about her cousin's cutie mark, Sassaflash forced a grin as she scratched her chin and tried to think of a way to calm the poor young filly down. “What I mean is, it's important to be patient. Rocinante was far too impatient in waiting for his and it made him miserable. In fact, his impatience might have even prevented him from getting his cutie mark sooner. But once he got it, it made all the difference in the world to him. Believe me, it will be worth the wait.” Sweetie Belle's horror dissipated as Sassaflash reached the part of the story that she was most interested in. “How did he find his cutie mark?” Sassaflash looked to the clock to check the time before she turned to look out the window. “He's actually supposed to be coming into town today. If you want you can ask him about it. I'm sure he, of all ponies, would understand what you're going through.” Sweetie Belle suddenly perked up, her voice almost squeaking in response. “Can I?” Sassaflash quickly smiled and nodded, but the filly's sudden enthusiasm and energy made her wonder if Rocinante would truly appreciate what she had signed him up for.