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// Storm Clouds 
// Story: Lost 
// by AJapple 
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The dust clouds stung Applejack’s eyes as she pushed through the harsh winds, a exhausted filly resting on her back. The clouds were thick above them, swirling and casting dark shadows over the land. 
“A-Applejack….I don’t like this. The weather’s weird.” Fogbow muttered softly, worry seeping into her young voice. Concern creased the older mare’s forehead. She knew it wasn’t safe to be out in the open in a coming storm, but she was miles away from any civilization. 
“I’m not fond of it either...but we have ta keep going ‘till we can find some sorta shelter.” Fogbow shivered and drew her wings tighter to her body. Rain had started to fall and it hit them with violent taps. Applejack squinted into the darkness, her breath heavy and uncertainty slowing her hoof movements. There was someone out there...a presence that felt familiar. Cracks of thunder sounded followed by the crackling of lightning, though to Applejack it sounded more like vicious laughter. She came to a stop sliding the filly off her back and holding her protectively as the winds swirled around them. The farm mare knew now that this wasn’t regular weather, this was created by someone or something. Her heart beat loudly in her chest and Applejack was sure whoever made this storm had it in their mind to silence it. 
“I’m scared.” Fogbow whimpered pressing her face into Applejack’s leg. The orange mare swallowed and bent her head to give the filly a reassuring nuzzle. 
“I’ll protect ya little one.” She whispered into her ear before staring into the storm. She wasn’t about to let Rainbow’s sister die. 
“How cute.” A voice slithered into her ears. “You think that you can beat me.” It paused as Applejack stepped back in fright. That voice, she knew that voice. It was in her nightmares. 
“Sombra!” She shouted, pushing the filly under her body in order to better protect her from the unseen monster. 
“You called?” The voice said again, the clouds parting to reveal a handsome stallion watching them with glowing green eyes. Applejack felt terror worm it’s way down her body, freezing her limbs and causing slight whimpers to escape her lips. 
“What do you want?” She yelled, though her voice wavered. Sombra shrugged coming even closer to the pair. He eyed Fogbow, who had her own eyes tightly shut and tears streaming down her cheeks. 
“Oh nothing really.” Sombra mused. “You and your friends are such boring playthings. All righteous and brave...it’s really annoying actually. Of course you were all thrown for a loop when your precious Rainbow disappeared.” He chuckled as an angry scowl worked it’s way across Applejack’s face. 
“We know you did something to ‘er!” She screamed, a venomous stare aimed at the evil king. 
“Of course I did, you guys escaped me, and so I retaliated. She’s important to you and your little element of harmony joke isn’t she? Hmmm, too bad you’ll never see her again.” He smiled seeing the fear flicker behind the angered stare. “Unless of course you can find her. She’s been lost my dear, I took her memories, I took everything from her and yet she still came through. Her love for you is especially infuriating. She wants to find you, which is pretty sweet….but I can’t allow that to happen.” 

He stepped closer, smiling to reveal pointed fangs. “Now, I can’t let you go home. That would be the first place she looks for you. No, I’d say kidnapping you is the best way to make sure she never finds you. Sure, she can get help from your friends but my magic is difficult to crack and her apparent love for you seems to be a loophole. A variable I hadn’t considered. Anyways...you and the kid are coming with me.” Applejack shook her head, a determined expression present on her face. 
“Never again Sombra, I won’t be your prisoner again!” She charged forward. Sombra blinked in surprise, her move was complete irrational and stupid it was almost funny. However while processing her sudden act of bravery he neglected to dodge a devastating buck to the chest. He flew backwards and looked down at the dent in his chest. Scowling he brushed the dirt off and willed his body back into shape. This was just a physical manifestation of his mind after all, he was dead of course. Another buck to chest and a punch before he decided enough was enough. Sombra’s horn glowed and his aura wrapped around Applejack, slamming her into the ground. He was surprised to find it hadn’t knocked her out. She glared at him from inside the magic bubble her expression a little subdued by the head slam but otherwise just as ticked off as before. Sombra sighed and picked up the filly in his magic. 
“You know, I actually don’t want to hurt you. It would be messy, to have your blood dripping everywhere. Especially in my new apartment.” He tutted before walking into the mass of clouds a very pissed off farm mare and scared filly following close behind him.