Dark clouds. Dark clouds rolled through with sinister attention, a threatening roar penetrating through the gray tinted skies that was now casting dangerously over Ponyville. The Weather Team had made a slight miscalculation the day before. The pegasi were only meant to create a small storm able to keep the crops of the town well nourished, but instead creating what looked to be like severe tornado weather. Intense bright blurs of lighting were now beginning to shoot rapidly out of the sky, tearing its way through the menacing clouds, followed by what sounded to be a great battle cry of a lion.
Twilight was sitting snug inside of the Library, her purple unicorn magic turning pages as she analyzed each word of the book she had within her grasp slowly.
BOOM
The books slightly rattled along the shelves at the sound of bursting roars, Twilight's fur standing up along her neck and spine at the startling noise. She quickly arose from where she sitting comfortably, trotting across the room to get a glimpse at the storm, which looked as if it had already gotten worse within the past few minutes. Her eyes trailed along the sky, spotting a cyan pegasus drifting at a swift paste through the atmosphere, close enough to unluckily be stroke by a beam of lighting. The pegasus flawlessly locked her wings into her sides, suddenly arching downwards toward the earth at a furious amount of speed. When the rainbow maned pegasus was dangerously close enough to the ground at break neck speed, her wings flared out gracefully, instantly slowing down her paste. Her hindhooves connecting first with the ground, then her forehooves, bringing her to a full fledge skidding motion across the ground at the front door of the Library.
Twilight stepped out of the door, meeting face-to-face with the cyan pegasus who was no other known than the 'Best Flier in Equestria'. Rainbow Dash. Who carried a casual expression, obviously not worried about getting struck by the horrid storm that stood above her, and the rest of the entire town.
"Rainbow Dash, what in the right mind are you doing flying around in a lightning storm? You do know you can get struck..Y'know..by lighting?" Twilight raised a brow, a hint of sarcasm manipulating her last words.
Instead of responding, Rainbow simply trotted past Twilight through the doorway at a hurried paste, leaving an unanswered and confused purple unicorn standing in the doorway.
"Okaaay, maybe not.." Twilight said to herself in a confused manner, who was then greeted by another booming roar that deafened her ears. Her pupils shrunk to pinpoints at the instant noise, her fur chillingly arising as she rushed back inside.
Rainbow was trudging back and forth in the center of the Library, she looked as if she was lost in flurry of rushed thoughts and emotions. Twilight quickly came to the conclusion that something was wrong. She looked fine when she got here, why is she just starting to freak out?
"Uh.. Rainbow?" Twilight asked, her voice carried concern with a mixture of confusion. Rainbow was still trudging back and forth. A dim ray of light was shining through the window, bringing the rest of the Library into a dramatic shadow.
"Rainbow Dash?" Twilight lowered her head, trying to get a glimpse of the pegasus eyes, her rainbow coloured mane flowing over her forehead enough to cause a shadow to drape over them. Rainbow's gaze snapped up at the sudden voice of Twilight, breaking her train of thought. Her eyes filled with stress, but still keeping her strong willed composure in check.
"As chief of the Weather Team, I was suppose to make sure that the other pegasi did their job right, and arranged a simple storm cloud to produce enough rain for the crops." Rainbow paused, shifting her gaze toward the window. The storm increasing, roaring sounds that could make even Discord's skin crawl.
Rainbow shoved past the unicorn, forcing the window open with her forehooves, swirls of heaving wind spewing through the frame. The purple mare approached the window, the wind bristling through both of their manes in a violent fashion.
"Does that look like a simple storm cloud to you?" The pegasus scoffed in anger, gesturing to the blazing storm. Trees looked as if they could bend into a complete 90 degree angle. She shook her head to herself in utter disappointment, pressing her forehooves against her face stressfully.
This was very odd for the pegasus, she was nowhere near a slacker when it came to her job. On certain occasions she had gotten sick and wasn't able to make the day, but by the next morning she had made herself out to be in complete tip-top shape. She did her job right, and would very often point out mistakes that the other pegasi made right on the spot. She was the Weather Chief for a reason, but that was now about to go to waste.
"Twilight, I'm gonna loose my position because of this. I'll be lucky if I can even keep my job." She spoke in low muffles, her forehooves still pressed against her face. The unicorn simply stared at the cyan pegasus in strong sympathy and concern. She could practically smell the paranoia on the rainbow maned pegasus. A job like this was to be handled carefully, any slight miscalculation could put Ponyville in jeopardy of being destroyed by a tornado. Why wouldn't Rainbow take extreme precautions to make sure this went right?
"What possibly lead you to not properly taking care of your weatherly duties, Rainbow?" Twilight retorted in a questionable tone that made the inside of the cyan mare's chest sting with even more disappointment.
'Not properly taking care of your weatherly duties.'
Nice going Rainbow Dash. Twilight's words rang like a church bell in her mind. Like the pressure of possibly loosing her job wasn't enough. The pegasus ears twitched at her comment, thinking up a way of answering without becoming in raged. Her anger suddenly being cut off by Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie bursting through the front door of the Library, both Rainbow and Twilight's neck nearly snapping, Rarity practically skidding to a halt. "Girls? What's wrong?" Twilight was nearly frighten by the looks on their faces, expressions ranging from worry to absolute terror. The wind gushed violently throughout the Library, knocking books from the shelves.
"Darling, no time. It's extremely urgent and we need to get going, now." With that, Rarity whipped around with no time to spare, galloping past Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, both instinctively following behind. Without further do questions, the purple unicorn followed the three mares, Rarity leading the way. The cyan pegasus readjusted her wings to work smoothly, making it manageable to fly against the murderous winds. She glided as close to her friends as possible, avoiding her best not to get struck by any beams of hot electricity as possible. Gazing down at her friends, she mentally took note that Applejack was missing from the bunch, jumping to conclusion that Rarity was leading them to Sweet Apple Acres. Her heart quickly sunk, her mind mentally recreating drastic events and images of death scenarios that could have possibly happened to the Apple Family.
BOOM
Knocking her completely out of thought, a hideous bolt of lighting struck the ground around 20 feet away, causing a terrifying noise sounding as if a bomb had just hit a near by city. The five Elements jumped at the sudden roar, Fluttershy looking as if she'd faint from being startled so badly. Most of the ponies houses looked as if they had been boarded up, other citizens were fighting just to reach any type of shelter to avoid being hit with an inanimate object or a tree branch.
The five Elements finally arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, the cyan pegasus' chest deflating out of utter fear at what she was witnessing. A tree had not only caught of fire from being struck by lighting, but had also fell on the Sweet Apple Acre house. The tree had plunged into the roof of the house, leaving a vivid gaping hole. A bright flare was clawing along the top of the roof from what Rainbow could see. Fire.
Applejack, Big Macintosh, Applebloom, and Granny Smith were trapped inside, Applebloom passed out from inhaling too much of the toxic smoke of the flames. Big Macintosh held Applebloom in his muscular forehooves, tears silently wanting to run over at the sight of his little sister. Applejack was softly shaking Applebloom in a desperate fashion, her fur tear stained and her eyes bloodshot. Applejack tried her very best not loose her composure and panic. Panicking was the last thing she wanted to do, it helped nothing. Her mind spead up faster and faster and Applebloom's chest slowly had arose and sunken in painfully. Tears ran rapidly from Applejack's eyes, but her heart stayed strong, believing her lite sister could make it through.
"C'mon Applebloom, yer a strong filly. Stay with us, you can get through this." Applejack spoke in comforting whispers, her voice cracking as she continued to speak. "Stay with us, Applebloom." Big Macintosh had just sat in silence, gazing over his little sister's slowly breathing body in his forearms, tears now flowing over. Granny Smith was busy looking for a way out, crazy like she is.
Rainbow shot up directly into the menacing face of the storm, white hot beams of electricity shooting out of the disturbing dark clouds in all sorts of directions. Her chances of being struck down to her death had become increasingly larg, and she was not about to deeply think into what being struck by lighting feels like. Being a Weather Chief an all, she had take extra precautions on safety when dealing with rain clouds that held electricity. Every now and then, the cyan pegasus would feel a small staticy glimpse of what it felt like, but never actually experienced being shocked directly by a bolt. She mentally prayed to Celestia once she got high enough into the air, gazing down at the burning house of the Apple Family. She immedianlty locked her wings in, as she did before when she arrived at the library, gracefully gaining break neck speed, followed by a long trail of a fading rainbow. She crashed through an unburned spot in the roof of the Apple home, tumbling into the kitchen table and sliding across the floor. She quickly ignored the pain of the head on collision with the roof, stumbling to her feet. Her vision had been over taken by a dark fog, causing her to cough excessively. Her eyes were irritated and burning, but she forced herself to push through it. She covered her muzzle with her forearm, beginning to paste slowly through the thick fog. She then hesitated once she heard soft sobs coming from the voice of Applejack, pleading in a dreadful voice. She couldn't make out what she was saying over the cackling flames, but it was enough to lead her to the location they were in. She quickened her paste, only to come face-to-face with a wall.
Buck it.
Rainbow took a few steps back, hurling herself at the wall, luckily strong enough to break though it. She arose clumsily to see a startled crying pear of blood shot emerald eyes locked on her, Rainbow's heart nearly stopping at the heart wrenching scene of Applebloom's slow breathing, and Big Macintosh's broken expression. Granny Smith was nowhere to be found.
"Rainbow Dash!" Desperately shouted a now greatful female voice, Rainbow couldn't bring herself to look at Applejack, or the others. This was her fault.
"This way." Was all Rainbow manage to order, Big Mac repositioning his unconscious little sister atop his back, Applejack followed trying her best to avoid breathing in any toxic fumes of the fire.
Big Mac managed crouched through the small gaping hole in the wall Rainbow managed to break. The smoke felt as if it were temporarily blinding him. He galloped through the smoke, able to see a cloudy view of the table Rainbow tumbled into, along with the hole in the ceiling. He galloped passed the broken table, finding the way to the back door witch had not yet been touched by any flames. Thank Calestia.
Big Mac smashed head first into the door, his adrenaline kicking in. The door was completely broken off the frame. He quickly galloped a good way from the house, laying his little sister against the soft grass, Applejack approaching right beside him. The other five spotted the red stallion and the orange mare from far off, instantly recognizing the two ponies. The five instantly bolted toward the direction of the farm ponies.
The Elements approached the three farmers, Fluttershy looking away from the little filly. Rarity's eyes beginning to water, along with Pinkie Pie. Twilight was the first to react, taking note that Applebloom was obviously unconscious from the poisonous fumes. Luckily, she had a spell for that.
Rainbow searched the room, Granny Smith was not in sight. She began coughing again, the fumes were starting to get to her. She fought with all her might to keep herself conscious, hoping she could find the old mare before she too, would be poisoned.
"Bah! No fire's g'nna take me down with'outta fight!"
Rainbow's heart was relieved as she heard the crazy old mare, turning in the direction of the shout. She then got a slight glimpse through the smoke of Granny Smith swatting a frying pan at the flames. Rainbow mentally rolled her eyes and headed toward the old mare.
"Granny Smith!" Rainbow called out, the old mare whipping around to look at her. Without any questions, the old mare jumped at Rainbow, Rainbow catching Granny in her forehooves by instinct.
"Well don't just stan'ther! Fly me out'o here ya darn useless pegasus!" Granny shouted, smacking rainbow across the cheek with a hoof. Rainbow angrily opened her mouth to argue, but instead simply nodded in agreement.
CRACK
A large piece of the tree collapsed, doubling the flames. Rainbow's head snapped back, only to see a blinding serg of fire spew at her and Granny. Rainbow quickly turned her back toward the flames, to protect the old mare from being burned.
"GAH!"
The entire side of Rainbow's body and back had been completely burned, her body screaming in physical agony. Her lower back arching in a sudden reflex, her teeth grinding in an attempt to keep herself from yelling any more. She had to keep going, or else, they would both die in a fiery death. Granny just watched the poor pegasus suffer in awe as she pushed herself forward to keep going. "Hnng..nnnph.."
Applebloom's body had been covered in a purple glow, her breathing was beginning to speed up from a once dangerously slow, and unhealthy breathing. Twilight knelt over the young filly, placing her glowing horn against the poor filly's chest. Applejack hadn't lost hope, she dried her eyes and cleared her throat in an attempt to speak clearly. "Twi, please hurry." She nearly whimpered in a hoarse voice. The purple unicorn's eyes were shut, focussing on the spell that would clear Applebloom's body of any unhealthy fumes. This spell took alot of focus, meaning there could be nearly no distractions in order for the spell to properly work. Luckily she had read a book on this spell a few weeks ago, thinking it would come in handy for a critical situation in helping somepony, or for just plain old safety references. The spell is able to clear the body of certain sicknesses, or poisons. Twilight could physically feel herself draining, but blocked out any thoughts of possibly failing. She had to keep trying.
Applebloom's eyes lazily opened to six ponies crowding around her, Applejack praying to Celestia, Big Mac sitting in silence, tears beginning to fall from his eyes again, Fluttershy buried in Rarity's neck and Rarity comforting her from the scene, and a straight haired Pinkie Pie staring at her hooves quietly, and a glowing horn against her chest causing her insides to tingle.
"Mmph..Why am ah glown'?" Her sweet little accent caused the six ponies to snap out of whatever they were doing, and stare at her with surprised expressions. Twilight's arising to a victorious cheer, "Success!" Applebloom just awkwardly looked at the ponies before they all suffocated her in a sheer happiness, except for Twilight, who was still in a her victory state. "Applebloom!" Applejack managed to get out before breaking into a full fledged sob, her little sister oblivious to what had just happened. "Oh darling, thank the heavens you're alright!" Cheered Rarity. The storm was lashing out with threatening rattling battle cries, lighting still streaking and tearing through the clouds. The wind bristling wildly through their manes. Their happiness had been cut off by crackling sound of Rainbow bursting through the roof of the house, followed by an explosive flame. A vibrant rainbow streaking upwards toward the storm again, then down toward the direction of the six remaining ponies as they watched in awe and shock.
Rainbow's mind was horribly dazed and clogged with the toxic fumes, unable to think straight from lack of clean oxygen. She felt Granny Smith's forearms wrapped around her neck tightly, holding on for dear life. She was very weak, and her body was still in undeniable agony from the burns. Her mind began to slowly slip away, she shook her head violently, but knew it wouldn't help. 'Come on Rainbow Dash, snap otta've it.' She mentally kicked herself. Her wings suddenly stopped working properly, losing balance in flight, this only scared Granny Smith half to death. She was practically plummeting to the earth in a spiraling fashion, losing her hold on Granny Smith. The remaining ponies watched in terror as they witnessed the cyan pegasus hurdling toward the earth, Granny Smith was still grasping around Rainbow's neck, a trail of singed feathers swirled around in the wind behind faint trail of rainbow.
"Oh..oh my.." Fluttershy choked out, her facial expression had terror written all over. Pinkie Pie planted her face against Fluttershy's neck, Fluttershy shutting her own eyes as well, tears swelling up. Her oldest friend was about to die right infront of her. Twilight didn't know how to react, "This can't be happening.." She spoke quietly as she watched the Element of Loyalty, the one who had saved so many people in the past, just fall to her death. And there was nothing she could say or do to change that. Rarity covered her face In her own hooves, breaking town silently. She just couldn't bare to see such a thing. Applebloom quivering at the sight, a filly her age shouldn't even be seeing something like this. Big Mac lowered his gaze, slowly closing his eyes. Applejack's pupils contracted in horror as she watch not only her grandmother fall from the sky, but her bestfriend as well. She nearly lost her little sister, and now she was about to witness the death of two loved ones. Her grandmother had been the closest thing as a motherly figure to her and Big Mac, and Rainbow had been her bestfriend for as long as she can remember.. Rainbow was the one that had gone out of her way to be there for her when she needed comfort. Rainbow was the one who always stuck around when things somehow got bad. 'I never leave my friends hangin'.' Her words echoed eternally through her head as she continued to helplessly watch the horrifying experience.. She'd turn to that pegasus for anything, there was no doubt about it. And she would give her life for that idiot. Rainbow was everything to her, she just couldn't loose her this way. This couldn't be the end. She needed that pegasus more then anyone needed her. Her blood shot emerald eyes beginning to burn with tears, she had never felt so helpless in her entire life, until now. She couldn't even speak.
The faded trail of a rainbow streaked over their heads as if a falling star would out of a night sky. Burt feathers filling the air. With Rainbow's last bit of consciousness, she shifted in the air, clamping her eyes shut. This was going to hurt.
Boom
Rainbow connected with the earth, skidding across the ground at break neck speed, her burns making contact with the ground. She plummeted through anything that blocked her catastrophic path. She felt herself began to tumble viscously, her body went limb like a rag doll. Chaotic cracking sounds of trees being demolished were the only thing that could be heard in the distance from where the ponies were standing. It was almost unbearable for them to just sit there and listen to. Applebloom covered her ears, tears running down the filly's cheeks. Applejack slid her forearms around her little sister in comfort, burying her face in the the little filly's soft red mane. Then suddenly, it just.. Stopped.