Chapter 1: A Gathering Storm

Twilight Sparkle pushed through the crowd. It wasn't easy going, but she was making progress. Now she just needed to find her friends, get an idea of what the hay was going on and figure out what to do next.

The Unicorn turned backwards and hollered, "Hurry Spike!"

The little purple and green dragon known as Spike moved rapidly through the panicked crowd, desperately trying to keep up with Twilight. When Twilight finally found Fluttershy, Dash, and Applejack, they had been joined by Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Immediately, Twilight noticed that everypony was gathered around Fluttershy, whom seemed to be cowering on the ground.

"Fluttershy, darling, it couldn't possibly be a dragon…" Rarity calmly said, attempting to calm the nervous pony.

Seeing Twilight approaching, Applejack turned to greet her, saying "Oh, Twi! Did you see this… uh… Sonic Rain-a-majiggy?"

"No," Twilight answered, "I just heard the loud bang. I thought Rainbow Dash was up to some antics again. I guess not…"

"*Sigh*, great!" Rainbow Dash cried out in frustration, "So the only pony who saw what happened refuses to show us where the Rainbow landed because she's scared of dragons!"

Twilight frowned and shook her head at Rainbow's brashness, and came close to Fluttershy, "Look Fluttershy, we need your help. I promise there won't been any dragons."

Fluttershy was torn. Her loyalty to her friends screamed for her to accept, while her fears made her mind swing in the opposite direction.

After a moment that seemed like an eternity, the yellow pegasus feebly squeaked, "Okay…"

Wasting no time, the six ponies galloped (and flew) through the moonlit country side, led by their nervous guide (whom needed a bit of 'encouragement' once in a while). They moved like the wind until they all abruptly stopped. They were at the tree line to the Everfree Forest; the mythical and highly dangerous wood bordering on Ponyville. The moment passed quickly, and the group traversed further into the forest. They were still fearful of it, but had already been in it many times, and had faced far worse dangers.

Their pace quickened as they all noticed the grey smoke rising from the forest ahead. They knew they were close. As they drew near, the smell of charcoal became prominent. The forest gave way into a small clearing, with a small crater in the middle of it. Bits of dirt and grass glowed red hot amidst the light shroud of fog.

"Uh… Twilight… you go first. I'll watch your back." Rainbow Dash said, tapping her friend on the shoulder with her hoof. With a sigh, Twilight slowly moved on, delving further into the clearing, attempting to peer over the edge of the crater. As Twilight got her first glance at the contents of the crater, she let out a slight gasp, coupled with a slight sigh of relief.

"Everypony! Get over here!" Twilight commanded her friends. Slowly, they obliged. Unsure of what they would find, they were in no rush to look at what had fallen.

"A pegasus?" Rarity muttered, glancing at Twilight questioningly.

A male pegasus lay in the crater, stretched out on his side limply. His fur was black as shadow, with a short, vibrant green mane.

Applejack descended into the crater, and lightly nudged the pegasus. The pony remained limp and unresponsive to any further prodding. Sadness spread through Applejack.

"Uh… is he… he isn't…?"

"Ugh…"

A moan from the pony caused a shared sigh of relief between the mares. The pegasus began to move and shift, eventually stumbling to his feet. He sat in a drowsy state for a few seconds, shaking his head, before the gravity of his situation finally grasped him. Raising one hoof to his head, he gingerly moved his thick flight goggles above his eyes, revealing a set of green pupils, matching his mane in a slightly darker shade.

"Hi… uh… where am I?" the pegasus said slowly, still visibly shaken from his crash.

Hopping into the crater next to the pegasus with a squeak, Pinkie shouted, "You're in Ponyville. I'm Pinkie Pie, what's your name?"

"Pinkie this isn't the time for making friends!" Twilight returned quickly, pushing Pinkie away from the injured pegasus.

"No… no it's fine," the pony replied, mustering a weak grin, "I'm Storm… Shadow Storm. Odd question; how close are we to Canterlot?"

"Canterlot? Why?" Twilight quizzed the mysterious pony.

"I have a priority message to be delivered to Princess Celestia. I gotta get there ASAP," Storm answered, his wits now finally coming back to him.

"It's about a one day journey by train," Twilight stated, gesturing with her horn in the direction of the city.

"Well I better get moving. Sorry, it was nice meeting you," Storm said, raising his wings in preparation for takeoff. The pony stood tall, wincing as he flapped his wings. He only made it a few feet in the air before letting out a sudden cry of pain and anguish, falling to the ground once again. Seeing his distress, Fluttershy and Twilight rushed to his aid.

Shadow brushed them off, and regained his footing, saying "I'm fine… but I think my wing is broken… agh… and my leg doesn't feel too good either… is there a hospital nearby?"

"Ponyville General is about a twenty minute trot away," Fluttershy noted softly, looking at Twilight for guidance.

"Ah… I didn't catch the rest of your names." Shadow responded, wincing while examining his leg.

After a brief introduction and several failed attempts to stand up, the solution to this odd situation and Shadow's dilemma was quite clear. This mysterious pony needed a doctor's help, and he couldn't get it on his own.


"Again, thanks," Shadow said to his assistant, as he slowly plodded along, using her as living crutch, "You have no idea how much this helps."

"We'll I sure ain't gonna be leaving nopony in the middle of that Everfree Forest," Applejack replied.

The six mares trotted across the same path they had taken to their new companion. Darkness had fallen over the country side, however, as a thick layer of clouds had moved in, blocking out the pale moonlight.

"So… Shadow," Rainbow Dash began, flying closer to the colt.

"Yes?" Storm answered quietly, trying to ignore his injuries.

Dash quizzed Storm, in a bored half hearted tone, "Where are you from? I haven't seen you around Ponyville…"

"Well I'm originally a Cloudsdalean, but I'm currently stationed near Appaloosa."

"Stationed?'

"Oh, I guess I didn't mention. I'm in the Air Force. Lieutenant Storm, at your service."

A slightly confused look took Applejacks face, as she turned to Shadow, remarking "The what now?"

"Equestrian Royal Air Force," Shadow replied, with a look of equal confusion, "You know; defending the land, air shows, all that jazz."

A grin and look of excitement grabbed Shadow's attention, and he turned to see Rainbow Dash much closer and more interested. In fact, a bit too close for his own personal liking.

"THE Royal Air Force?" Rainbow Dash excitedly said, "Have you met the Wonderbolts?"

Shadow noticed the hospital ahead, and dodged the question, "Kind of, but that's a story for another day."

The group completed their journey and reached the hospital. The mysterious pegasus bid his new acquaintances farewell, and checked into the hospital.

'They were friendly… I wonder if I'll ever meet them again…' Storm thought.