//------------------------------// // Ch.4 The Storm is a Brewin! // Story: My Little Fairy // by Lumadous //------------------------------//         Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy wedged themselves in the doorway as Nurse Joy jumped over them. Her rear hooves caught on Rainbow Dash head and she crashed onto the floor on the other side coming to a sliding stop under the kitchen table. Scrambling out from under the table she saw Leaf wielding a plastic spork like a spear, it’s blunt tip a few inches from a white bunnies face. Lily was underneath her blankets shaking so hard the whole bed seemed to be vibrating.         “What’s wrong?” Rainbow Dash demanded.         “That monster attacked my sister!” Leaf yelled, slowly circling the bunny.         “Angel, I told you to play nice.” Fluttershy scolded.         The bunny pointed it’s furry finger accusingly at Leaf and made wild gestures with his other hand before it was pointed at a broken vase with some flowers scattered near it laying on the floor next to the counter.         “It looks like she was only trying to give her flowers.” Nurse Joy said, putting two and two together “Is the rabbit *Cough* gone yet?” Lily asked. “Flowers of Doom!” Leaf yelled, stabbing at Angel with her spork threateningly.         “Gimmie that, you are no longer to allowed to have anything even remotely dangerous.” Nurse Joy said as she yanked the spork out of her grasp.         “Hey!”         *Thunk*         “Ow! What was that for?” Leaf protested, rubbing her forehead where she was just smacked by the spork that was just taken from her.         “Try talking your issues out next time without resorting to violence. Violence leads nowhere except more violence.” Joy lectured her, waving the spork through the air, punctuating her point.         “Then why did you hit me?”         “Because thats the only way to get through your thick skull.”         “Umm, excuse me, but why would Lily be afraid of little Angel here, he may not have the greatest of attitudes, but he would never harm anypony.” Fluttershy said, picking up said bunny and giving him a rib crushing hug.         Lily poked her head out from underneath the blanket, tears on her face as she explained, “When I was little our house collapsed when a warren was expanding their own home, I was buried alive, but I could see the ra-*Cough* rabbits, just ignoring me. I was there for two days before Daddy found me.”         With that, she pulled her head back under the blanket and hid again.         “I think we should let her go back to sleep, she’s had a long day and she needs her rest. Don’t make me make that an order.” Joy threatened, waving the spork near Leaf’s head.         “You just made a non-violence speech and are now threatening me?” Leaf questioned, placing both of her hooves on the spork and forcing it out of her face.         “I’m a nurse, I can fix what I can break.” She threatened, smiling evilly.         “And I’ll grab the cookies too!” She continued, switching completely to a sweet and innocent demeanor as she grabbed a bowl from the counter and walked into the living room.         “Anypony else suddenly more afraid of that nurse than anything else on this world?” Rainbow Dash asked.         “Uh huh.” Fluttershy whimpered from between Rainbow Dash’s legs.         “I no longer need to pee.....” Leaf said.         “Ew.” Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy said in unison.         “Are you coming?” Joy demanded as she poked her head into the kitchen.         “So how are you going to explain this to Dr. Whooves?” Joy asked, looking at Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy as she munched on cookies.         “How am I supposed to know, I’m not the one who ponynapped you, so why are we responsible for making up excuses.” Rainbow Dash said, reaching for the bowl of cookies.         “C-could you say that you took a sick day?” Fluttershy said, hiding behind her quickly, but sturdily built pillow fort.         “No, I’ve already used up my sick days. Next.” She said, smacking Rainbow Dash’s hoof away from her cookies.         “Maybe that you had a pressing family matter.” Fluttershy suggested.         “He knows I live with only my cats.” She said, picking up the bowl and pulling it closer to herself.         “Then just tell him the truth.” Rainbow Dash said.         “Yes, because telling another pony who has access to tools and abilities to dissect me? Yeah, right, pass!” Leaf said, rolling a cupcake from the pile towards the couch.         “He always did want to discover something new.”         “See, and discovery sounds a lot like dissection to me.” Leaf protested.         “So what now then?” Rainbow Dash asked.         “I could just say that I misread the schedule and thought I was off today.” Joy said, grabbing the cupcake from Leaf.         “Hey, that’s mine.” Leaf Protested, hanging onto the cupcake.         “And eating twice your weight in baked goods is bad for you, you’ll get fat.” Joy said, peeling both the wrapper and Leaf off in one deft movement and took a bite out of the cupcake.         “Same could be said of you.” Leaf grumbled as she flew back towards the pile.         “What did you say?” Joy demanded.         “Nothing!” Leaf yelped, leaping into the pile and hiding.         “What did you send Twilight to get from Zecora, if you don’t mind me asking.” Fluttershy asked.         “That should be obvious, she is a shamanistic healer who is able to brew the best of the best alchemical remedies. And little Lily in there is way too small for me to administer the usual antibiotics accurately.” She explained, waving a cookie in the air.         “And we can trust her not to poison my sister with an evil brew?” Leaf demanded.         “I can vouch for her myself, she is the gentlest of souls, even if she always rhythms, which trust me, it gets annoying fast.” Rainbow Dash said, Fluttershy nodding in agreement.         “And she can cu-”         The door thumped open and Zecora rushed in, a wide eyed Twilight and Rarity clutching each other as Pinkie bounced around in excitement.         “I was told there are fairies here.” Zecora said, looking around frantically.         “I thought you said she always rhythmed.” Joy said, looking at Rainbow Dash.         “I, umm, came here as soon as I heard it by my ear.” Zecora said, sputtering.         “Told ya, even if she was a bit slow on the second part.” Rainbow Dash said in triumph.         “It is the fairy I seek, and I brought a cure for the weak.” Zecora said, holding up a vial of blue milky liquid.         “I’ll take that.” Joy said, reaching of the vial only for Zecora to hold it away from her grasp.         “The fairy I seek, and I ask they do not be meek.” Zecora said.         “Why do you want to meet me so badly? Leaf asked defensively, only poking her head out of the cupcake pile long enough to ask her question before disappearing as Zecora rushed over.         “Why my little friend, I will only question you too no end. Do not fret I mean no foul, I will quit when you are ready to throw in the towel.” Zecora said, sifting cupcakes aside, revealing a panicking, cornered fairy.         “I’m not going to let you harvest me foul demon, I saw what you did to that fairy in the forest!” Leaf yelled, diving into a cupcake and attempting to dig her way through it.         Zecora shook her head sadly and held up a hoof to stop Rainbow Dash who was coming to Leaf’s aid. Zecora them picked Leaf up by her brown tail and pulled her out of her hole and set her on the coffee table. She also set the plate of cookies on her tail to prevent her from flying off.         “Did what to whom? I guess it is this who you presume.” Zecora asked.         A small face appeared in Zecora’s mane, it’s eyes grew wide when it saw Leaf. It lept out of her mane and tackled Leaf in a rib crushing hug.         “Another Fairy! I thought I was going to be alone for the rest of my life!” It sobbed, yanking Leaf free, causing her to lose her the last few inches of her tail.         “Owie! I’m glad to see you also, but let me go.” Leaf gasped.         “Umm, excuse me, but Lilly still needs that medicine.” Fluttershy said, pointing at the vial.         “Oh, right, this will restore her might.” Zecora said, handing it to Joy who walked into the kitchen.         “But I saw you grab that fairy in the forest after you smashed it to the ground.” Leaf said, pushing the other fairy away.         “No, I was attacked by a manticore, she saved me from being a snack. She’s spent the last year nursing me back to health and has given me a home.” The new fairy explained as it released it’s hug.         As the two fairies separated their size difference became obvious. The new fairy was about half the size of Leaf.         “Why are you smaller than her?” Rainbow Dash asked.         “Because I’m only a colt, duh.” He said, flicking his tail in frustration.         “Where did your parent’s go?” Fluttershy asked.         The smaller fairy sat down suddenly, looking at the ground sullenly.         “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” Fluttershy said, panicking, grabbing teddy bears and other cutesy stuffed animals from somewhere and surrounded him with them.         “Hey kid, it’s alright, just let it all out. I know what it feels like.” Leaf said, climbing over a leg to hug him, patting him on the back as he shook.         Zecora leaned in towards Rainbow Dash and whispered into her ear, “I tried my best, but they now permanently rest. Their fate, was what the manticore ate.”         “Oh.” Was all Rainbow Dash could say as she watched Fluttershy frantically try to calm the sobbing fairy.         “I knew I could count on you to help cure Leaf’s sister.” Joy sang as she walked into the room.         “That is good to hear, perhaps you can still become nurse of the year.” Zecora said, grabbing a cupcake from the pile and popping it into her mouth.         “I am not sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult.” Joy said, annoyed, but still happy.         “Sister? Wait, you mean there’s more than just one of you?” The young fairy asked.         “Of course, why else would she drag us all the way here to cure a healthy fairy?” Twilight asked, recovering enough to untangle herself from Rarity.         “But it was so fun!” Pinkie yelled, bouncing around the room.         “But look at my mane, it is ruined, it’ll take me weeks to repair this much damage!” Rarity cried, holding her mane in front of her eyes, a few twigs poking out of it.         “Rarity, it’s not that bad.” Twilight said “Not that bad? Fluttershy I require your immediate help now!” She continued, grabbing Fluttershy by the hoof and dragging her upstairs.         “Is it always this crazy here?” The younger Fairy asked, sniffing and wiping at snot.         “‘Fraid so kiddo, at least they look were they step.” Leaf said, taking one of the cookies from the plate and rolling it in front of the other fairy.         “So what is your name? I can’t put ‘Fairy Colt’ on your welcome banner or use it a thousand times in that fanfic I’m writing about you!” Pinkie Pie asked at the top of her voice.         “It’s Fire Fly, just call me Fry though.” He said, grabbing the cookie and pulling it up like a blanket, nibbling at the edge.         “I’m sorry, but I’m just about to explode!” Pinkie said, bouncing around the room.         “Pinkie, calm down, you are not going to explode.” Twilight said, holding her hoof to her face.         “But he is so cute!” She said, bouncing over an amused Zecora.         “I must agree, he is cuter than any of we.” Zecora said.         “How come you didn’t tell us about him earlier?” Rainbow Dash asked.         “You never inquired, so information you never acquired.” She simply stated, reaching for the plate of cookies to grab herself one.         “So do you know of any others?” Joy asked, smacking Zecora’s hoof away.         “Growing up the only fairies I knew were myself and my parents. They did mention a fairy city, but they never told me where.” Fry said.         “My parent’s said the same thing, but they never told me where, just that it existed.” Leaf said.         “Well, we have to find it. Reunite you with your people.” Twilight said.         “Could I bring my Auntie with me?” Fry asked innocently.         “Aunt? Thought you were alone.” Rainbow Dash said.         “Yeah, Auntie Zecky.”         “Aww, isn’t that cute, you’re an Auntie.” Rainbow teased, nudging Zecora in the ribs.         “Jest if you must, we have earned each others trust.” Zecora said solemnly, her wise look ruined by cupcake crumbs on her face.         “I’m sure that there has to be something in my books about a fairy city, and if not, I have full access to the entire library at Canterlot.” Twilight said helpfully.         “Couldn’t you just ask Princess Celestia or Princess Luna?” Rainbow Dash asked.         “And have them start a zoological study on me? Have I mentioned that dissection hurts, a whole freakin’ lot!” Leaf protested.         “The Princess would never do anything like that to ya.” Twilight protested.         “I’d rather not take my chances, seeing how it’s my sister and my life on the line if you’re wrong.”         “But-”         “No buts, no flanks, and no donkeys! This is final. I do not want everypony in the world knowing about me!” Leaf huffed, screaming at the top of her lungs.         “Hey! You’re scaring Fry.” Rainbow Dash said, gingerly covering the whimpering fairy with her hooves.         “Hey, I’m sorry kid,” She started, quieting down and using a much gentler tone, “But you just can’t trust the biggies. To them little pony’s like us are just playthings. You gotta trust me when I say you cannot trust them.”         “Why should I trust you when she’s the one who saved me.” He sobbed, taking a wobbly flight straight back into her mane, hiding again.         “It is not always easy to trust, but sometimes you must.” Zecora said, shaking her head sadly as she turned and trotted out of the door.         “Smooth going Leaf. First you insult the people helping you and then you chase off the only one of your kind that’s not related to you.” Rainbow Dash teased.         “Oh shut-up or I’ll.... I’ll.... You know what, forget all of you, me and my sister are leaving.” Leaf yelled, flying towards the closed kitchen door.         She hovered there for about a minute, flapping hard trying to move the door, which refused to budge. The room was utterly silent, the ponies shocked at her sudden outburst.         “You know you could be nice and open this huge friggin’ door ya know!” She grunted angrily.         “Leaf, I know you’re angry, but even with the medicine I just gave her, your sister is still very sick. Too sick to be moving out in that cold weather.” Joy said gently as she walked up behind the still struggling fairy.         “Then she won’t move, I’ll do the moving for her!” She grunted.         “She needs to stay warm and dry, somewhere well sheltered.” Joy continued.         “I got a house too! I’m not a hobo you know.”         “But sh-”         “Will you just shut up and open this damn door!” She yelled, stopping her struggles long enough to slam onto the top of Joy’s head, shaking a hoof at the door.         Nurse Joy sat still for a moment, her shoulders slumped in defeat before she put her hoof out and turned the door knob. The door clicked and swung open on it’s own, but Leaf was through it before it was even half way open.         “We just can’t let her go!” Twilight protested.         “Or what, you’ll fillynap her and her sister too? Way to go government sanctioned crimes! The only thing that would do is to push both of them away and ensure they would definitely not trust anypony ever again. The only thing we can do is try to help them when they want help.” Joy said sadly.         “But I haven’t been able to throw them parties yet.” Pinkie wailed, tears flowing freely down her face.         “But maybe you can still give them presents, they’re going to needs blankets and food.” Rainbow Dash suggested.         *GASP* “You’re right, don’t let them leave without seeing Auntie Pinkie first!” She announced, disappearing upstairs.         There was a series of bumps and scrapes upstairs, followed by Rarity screaming something about privacy, before Pinkie came thundering down the stairs again, followed by a basket floating on a couple of brightly colored balloons.         Leaf came flying out of the kitchen at that moment, her sleeping sister balanced between her buzzing wings, still wrapped in the blanket from her bed.         “What?” She demanded, glancing at all the ponies staring at her.         “You sure you want to do this? You can stay until your sister is better you know.” Twilight said softly.         “Yeah, right, and give you all more chances to trap us? Nah, I’ll take my chances.” She said, flying past Twilight’s face.         “Here!” Pinkie said cheerily, pushing the balloon gift at a surprised Leaf.         “The heck is that?” She asked, looking between Pinkie and the basket.         “It’s just a couple blankets I borrowed from Fluttershy and some food. Since I can’t throw you a party I’ll just have to give you your gifts now.” She said, smiling.         Leaf hovered there, staring at the basket for a minute before blinking and shaking her head. She kicked it to the side and flew towards the door.         “You can’t fool me, you had that evil purple one cast tracking spells on that junk. Ha ha, no thank you.” She yelled, flying out the door into the growing gloom.         “But I didn’t do anything....” Pinkie protested quietly as she sat down, bowing her head sadly as the balloons popped and the basket fell, spilling its contents across the floor.         “It’ll be okay Pinkie, she’s just angry.” Rainbow Dash said, putting her arm around her friend as she started sobbing.         “I hope they’ll be okay.” Twilight said, walking to the door, looking sadly into the early gloom.         “So do I, and I hope they find shelter before that storm hits.” Joy said as she walked up next to Twilight, pointing at the growing thunderclouds, as a gust of wind hit them in the face.         “Wait, did you say storm?” Rainbow Dash demanded, springing towards them.         “Yeah, I did. That is a storm I see right Ms. Weather Pony?” Joy asked sarcastically.         “Crud, I forgot all about this storm, I need to find them.” Rainbow Dash yelled as she zipped over Twilight.         “What’s so important about this storm Rainbow Dash?” Twilight yelled at her friend as she zipped in a swooping search pattern over the path to ponyville.         In the distance, a jagged bolt of lightning lit up the sky, blinding everypony while the thunder was loud enough to hurt their ears and enough force that it could be felt through their hooves. Another gust of wind slammed into the ponies, carrying the fresh scent of ozone to them, and powerful enough to force Rainbow Dash to land with a thump.         “Because that’s gonna hit harder and faster than you think!”