My Little Pony: Equestria's Warriors Returns

by Spirit Of Fantasy

After many wars, heavy losses, and violence with enemies. The eldest brother of the royal sisters makes his return, and discovers the student of the sister he blames for their youngest sister's banishment. Now along side this young and talented unicorn, ready to battle evil. He will discover the new world of friendship and love that replaced his world of pain and hateful battles.

33. Chapter 33: May The Best Pet Win!

Apologies for all the delays, I had painful internet issues and four days ago, I gained two beautiful nephews into this world that I needed to see and spend time with. Don't worry, I'm not going any where my lovely readers.

Chapter 33: May The Best Pet Win!

"Ah…! Isn't this pleasant Stormy? Just the birds chirping, Fluttershy and Angel playing in the park,"Typhoon reflected on the tranquility he and his storm cloud colored rabbit enjoyed in the pet park,"It's moments like this that you can just take in nature and all it's peaceful majesty."

Stormy only responded by giving Typhoon a respectful salute before kicking back on his master's lap. As they both rested against a tree next to the park's little pond, the perfect set up. Stormy yawned before kicking back and looking at the pond where ducks could go on with their day. The memories the ducks were bringing back to Typhoon as he watched them play and thrive. Something he remembered wanting for them, that is until Mayor Magist dared to destroy them long ago.

Thankfully, Typhoon was spared the pain of having to remember the old memories. Thanks to the sudden rumbling of the ground and the approaching stampede of hooves. Typhoon set up, and almost launched Stormy off his lap as he saw Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack approaching. He looked around and saw Fluttershy racing out from behind the tree he rested on. Just in time to wave to their arriving friends, as well as the pets that were coming with them into the park.

"Hey girls! Try to be a little gentle when playing, Pappy and Stormy are kind of-"Fluttershy could not get her wish across her friends before they swarmed the park with their pets.

"Well, easy come easy go on the tranquility…"Typhoon sighed and slouched back as Opalescence the cat instantly climbed onto his head and got cozy in his long mane.

Suddenly he spotted Rainbow Dash flying in at high speeds with Owlowiscious. It appeared to be a race she was having with the owl, but Rainbow Dash was coming in way too fast. He groaned and lifted his wing, and forced a wave of wind to blast from his flapping wing. Hoping it would redirect her towards the pond rather than her going on a crash course towards the tree he was resting on. The wind whipped Rainbow in the face, causing her to spiral and crash land in the pond.

Her crash landing resulted in a big wave of water splashing up onto shore. Going all over Typhoon and Opal in the process, this was what Typhoon got for trying to keep things peaceful? Apparently so, for the minute Opalescence was doused in water just like the stallion was. She went mad and flailed around with her claws flying in all directions, Typhoon simply sat there less than amused. Cat scratches and bites that simply scratched up his face and messed up his mane felt almost painless.

"Oh no…! Opalescence! Get off that poor stallion's head immediately,"Rarity yelled and quickly took up her cat in a bubble of her blue magic to get her away from Typhoon,"I am terribly sorry about all this Typhoon…! She tends not to handle water very well….!"

"I can see that…! I was not expecting every pony to be here for today, did I miss something on the schedule?"Typhoon politely asked while suppressing any fury that was burning in his heart and gut.

"Why, we always round up our critters for a regular old pony pet play date in this park!"Applejack explained the concept of having a play date with all their pets together in the park.

"On a Sunday…?"Typhoon wondered as he fixed his mane and heard squeals from above.

He looked up, and there he could see Angel the bunny stuck in a tree soaking wet. He shook his head, seeing Angel get himself stuck after only getting hit with a splash of pond water. Thanks to the fly girl that finally emerged from the pond with a lily pad stuck to her rainbow mane. He sighed, and tapped Stormy on the head to get his attention before he could take a little nap. He shook his head and looked at Typhoon, before the green stallion pointed to the tree.

"Do you mind helping Angel, Stormy?"Typhoon asked politely, and Stormy sighed at Angel before cracking his back to limber up.

With a couple squats and some bends to both sides, Stormy wowed all the mares that watched. As he suddenly jumped and ran like a swift wind right up the side of the tree trunk, His grace was that of a ninja as he aimed directly for the branch angel was stuck on, he then prepared a kick. One that swing sharply upwards and shattered the center piece of the branch, knocking Angel loose. The white bunny flailed as he flew into the air, only to get snagged up in the arms of the dark gray rabbit.

Stormy kept a look of disappointment for Angel as they slowly descended down to the ground. Stormy remained steeled as if he did not noticed they were falling from a tree. Until Typhoon was there to serve as a landing platform, his belly provided the soft landing the rabbits needed. Stormy quickly put Angel down and tapped his foot rapidly for Angel's complete overreaction to a little water. An overreaction that put him in unnecessary danger and forced Stormy to save his neck again.

"Be more careful next time, Angel. A little water won't hurt you as much as you think."Typhoon suggested to the white rabbit as it chuckled nervously at the disappointed Stormy.

"That was way…awesome! Was your rabbit raised by Shaolin monks or something?"Rainbow blasted out of the water and started checking out the surprised gray rabbit.

"No, he just had some encouragement and discipline while he shadowed my teachings and style,"Typhoon explained and patted Stormy's head in response to another act of heroism,"He's become a respected and marvelous friend to me for years. That's the true relationship that should be shared between pony and pet."

"That's a beautiful outlook on the bond between owner and pet!"Twilight complimented Typhoon's opinion on what it means to bond with a pet.

"I didn't know that. I didn't even know you all had these play dates with your pets."Rainbow Dash admitted with a sudden show of discouragement since it reminded her that she had yet to get a pet.

"I thought you knew. You didn't know? She didn't know?"Fluttershy asked around to every pony including Rainbow Dash.

"We were going to invite you to the play dates, of course, but…"Twilight thought of a reason behind the reason that Rainbow was never able to be a part of the life of a pet owner.

"Twilight remembered that you don't even have a pet, and Rarity remembered that you like to take long naps in the afternoon,"Pinkie Pie was more than up for breaking the cold truth to Rainbow Dash,"So Applejack figured you wouldn't be missing out on anything any way, and Fluttershy and I nodded our heads in agreement, like this!"

"Oh, please don't be mad…"Fluttershy begged while Pinkie Pie constantly nodded her head.

"Oh, I'm not mad. You all are right! Not much point of a pony pet play date for me If I'm a pony without a pet, right?"Rainbow admitted, but felt kind of hurt being left out of a fun activity because she did not have a pet.

"Exactly, so, if you'll excuse us…!"Applejack added and went to go play with her dog, only to trigger Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, now wait a minute! Just because I don't have a pet NOW, doesn't mean I never want a pet!"Rainbow decided to argue about the conflict of having a pet while Typhoon lifted up in curiosity and lack of amusement.

Ohh! Oh, really? You really want a pet? Really? Cause I've got so many wonderful choices at my house,"Fluttershy lit up with excitement to see Rainbow Dash interested in potentially getting a pet,"Oh, and I know you'll just love them! And they'll love you! And you'll be best friends forever and ever! Oh!"

"Now, Rainbow, my dear, I cannot express my delight. It's abundantly clear,"Fluttershy got so excited about Rainbow inadvertently wanting a pet of her own that she started to sing,"That somewhere out here is the pet that will suite you right!"

"I can't wait to get started, but first let me set a few rules. It's of utmost importance,"Rainbow began to sing as well while Typhoon was instantly offended by Rainbow wanting to set up rules for a pet,"The pet that I get, is something that's awesome and cool!"

"Awesome, cool, got it! I have so many wonderful choices, just wait, you will see!"Fluttershy replied in song form as she thought of the many pets that fit the bill.

"I need something real fast like a bullet to keep up with me!"Rainbow began to go down the standards she required in a pet, this disgusted Typhoon.

"Sure, how about a-"Fluttershy was about to offer up the first pet, only for Typhoon to close the door on the offers of pets.

"Absolutely not! She's not ready to take up the responsibility of a pet!"Typhoon announced and shocked every pony with his bold statement about Rainbow Dash.

"WHAT?! What do you mean I'm not ready?! I'm TOTALLY ready for a pet!"Rainbow Dash decided to argue her case to the warrior of wind.

"No… You are not ready for a pet…! Already you talk of rules and standards for a pet,"Typhoon decided he was going to rip the over confident Pegasus a new one,"You talk about a pet like they're way below you rather than a companion of your equal! They're NOT an accessory for you to exploit!"

"It's not like that at all! I can totally respect whatever I get. Just as long as it's just like me!"Rainbow tried to defend her right to own a pet.

"That's the problem. You can't just find a pet that will be everything YOU want it to be,"Typhoon argued while the mares and pets tried to understand what the big fuss was about,"If you can't respect a pet for the way it is while it always respects you, then you are NOT ready…!"

"Since when do I listen to some pony who thinks I can't handle something?!"Rainbow Dash decided to attack Typhoon with her arrogant stubbornness about being refused something she was confident about.

"If that's how you're going to behave then you certainly are not ready for a pet,"Typhoon remained firm but more calm minded, even with an angry element of loyalty in his face,"Now I will warn you. You keep this attitude up and try to get a pet, then I won't hesitate to stop you…!"

"Rainbow… Um…it might be a good idea to listen to Pappy. He kind of has a point about the pets…"Fluttershy informed her friend and tried to play peace keeper between them.

"What?!"The rest of Fluttershy's friends were a bit shocked that their shy friend was agreeing with her Pappy.

"Well… He's right. Having a pet is a huge responsibility. You need to take your time with your pet,"Fluttershy started to go down the list of what it takes to be a pet owner,"You have to be ready to discipline but never put a pet below you. Train them where you can, but let them be who they are instead of what YOU want them to be."

"Thank you, Fluttershy… So until you're ready. You will not be getting a pet…!"Typhoon made his words final, a hard and painful thing to hear, but the others knew better than to argue with a warrior and protector of all nature.

However, Rainbow Dash was more than upset with the stallion coming down on her like a strict father. Her face was turning red, she felt like an infuriated bull with his head driven into the dirt. This green stallion was talking to her like an irresponsible child, and telling her she wasn't ready for a pet. This was a blow to her pride as a skilled Pegasus, and as a pony entirely. She finally couldn't hold in her outrage, her temper finally boiled over as she stepped forward to challenge Typhoon.

"Sorry your feelings are hurt, but you need to learn some control over your pride and proper responsibility,"Typhoon was not intimidated by the red faced and pride damaged Pegasus,"Only then can you handle a pet the proper way. It's only a matter of patience."

"Patience…? Patience?!"Rainbow roared before she suddenly lunged to show Typhoon her fury.

Typhoon kept one eye open, seeing the Pegasus become hostile and up for a hoof fight. Stormy simply shook his head and rested on his masters belly, letting Rainbow learn a hard lesson. Typhoon did this by lifting up his left back hoof high in the air, and swing it down. Cracking his back hoof down on her forehead, rattling her brain before he forced her into the ground. Her face got smashed into the ground, her mouth got piled full of dirt while she laid face down, while Typhoon rested his legs on top of her.

"I swear… Where did kids get this sudden sense of self entitlement and self righteousness?"Typhoon had sense of disgust and cringe that Rainbow reacted in such a matter after being told she simply couldn't have something just yet.

"Ok…! You made your point there wind master, can we have our friend back?"Applejack asked kindly in hopes of helping to calm down the situation that was already finished.

"I suppose her lesson has been learned… For now."Typhoon decided to relent and lifted his legs off Rainbow Dash to let her up.

However, it still took the assistance of her friends to lift the Pegasus to her hooves. She was in a daze and spitting out clumps of dirt while Applejack served as her legs. She decided to be the one to carry the rainbow Pegasus somewhere to help her come to her senses from the hit she took. While Typhoon quietly sat back and tried to continue his nap with his pet rabbit. While the mares and their pets eventually managed to start having fun together after taking care of Rainbow Dash.

They decided to let things be, and not go on about the subject any further. This allowed Typhoon and his pet to get the much needed rest they were hoping to get in the park regardless of the noise. Stormy yawned and slept soundly as well, finding comfort as he snuggled against his master. While the other pets played around them, freely and without any further troubles. Like Typhoon, he was seen by a lot of animals as a parent and the disciplinary figure to misbehaving animals.

Especially when it came to Angel, he was bratty and taking advantage of his master. And it was up to Stormy to reign in on Angel's spoiled behavior before it got too out of hoof for Fluttershy. Much like how Typhoon was with the other animals, and even Fluttershy at time. If the gray rabbit wasn't currently snoozing away, he would be chuckling at the thought of being responsible pet. These thoughts lasted the pet and his master for hours through one of their best power naps yet.

It lasted till the sun was actually about to set for the town of Ponyville. Even then, what managed to wake the little duo from their slumber was the gentle nudges of Fluttershy and Angel. They were slow to awake and look around with slightly groggy eyes to find the shy Pegasus and her white rabbit.

"Pappy, Stormy…! It's almost sunset, every pony went home already."Fluttershy alarmed Typhoon as he and his rabbit yawned and slowly got up.

"Oh dear…! We must have slept longer than we thought. Sorry about that,"Typhoon yawned again and stretched himself out before standing at Fluttershy's side,"Lets go, I'll watch over the cottage late this night…!"

As they started to get moving towards home through the slowly shutting down town. Stormy marched at his master's side, hoping to get home quick to do a little hobby he had a habit of doing. That is, if Angel would stop bouncing around them and slowing their walk down. That only stopped when Stormy grabbed Angel by his ear and pulled him to his side to give him a talking to. Telling him about how dangerous it can be for a bunny to run and bounce under a pony's hooves.

Angel sighed, it never felt good getting yelled at for any troubles he got into. But with Fluttershy being the enabling mother of the group, some pony or rabbit had to be the strict parent. For the rest of their stroll through town, Angel stayed walking right next to Stormy where he could be watched. While their owners enjoyed a quiet moment, since it got quite noisy at the park. Though as they were leaving the town, Typhoon sensed a less than pleasant conversation coming his way.

The minute they were on a small dirt path pass some shrubbery to get to the cottage. Fluttershy looked away for a moment to think about what to say, for she had something honest to say. She only hoped that her Pappy would see reason about something she was going to request.

"Pappy? Can I talk to you about something?"Fluttershy asked as they stopped right before the bridge to their cottage.

"I'm not going to let Rainbow Dash have a pet…! After her behavior earlier. she is in no condition to care for a pet,"Typhoon already decided to lay down the law about the pet situation,"I'm not going to let some poor animal get neglected, abused, or treated poorly by some irresponsible and arrogant Pegasus…!"

"I understand… But I was going to suggest a test…! Maybe a way to teach Rainbow a lesson about responsibility,"Fluttershy began to suggest a trick to perhaps teaching Rainbow what she needed to know about pet care,"Now she has standards, and there were some animals around that were interested in competing to be her pet."

"Are you about to go behind my back again?"Typhoon questioned with a small huff at the thought of Rainbow getting a pet regardless.

"No…! Not at all, Pappy!I'm thinking if we let this competition unfold where Rainbow gets to see these brave pets compete,"Fluttershy emphasized on what she was planning on doing for her friend while respecting Typhoon's word,"I'm thinking as she sees how the pets operate and happily compete for her. Maybe they'll teach her a lesson in the process…!"

"How will that Pegasus learn anything from watching animals fight to be her pet?"Typhoon questioned while finding only the slightest merit in Fluttershy's words.

"Well… To see a pet so willing to prove themselves to her, it could cause her to reflect on how much a pet is willing to give,"Fluttershy explain the mentality side of a pet opening a masters eyes,"It should open her eyes to what it means to have a pet, and respect that pet the way it was willing to respect her…!"

"And if she doesn't learn?"Typhoon looked to the con result of Rainbow not learning respect and responsibility from her potential pet.

"Then the pet who was victorious will remain with us till she does, I'm sure seeing that she can't have a pet cause she didn't learn her lessons WILL teach her the lesson,"Fluttershy explained that she will hold firm to what it means to be a pet owner, even if she must perform a harsh punishment to her friend,"Is that a fair enough suggestion? It will at least give her a first look and potential chance to learn what it means to care for a pet."

"Fluttershy… I know you're doing this for your friend, but you're also trying to respect the nature of pet owning,"Typhoon leaned over the railing of the bridge to look out to the shiny creak,"If… If you think this may benefit and help your friend prepare to be a good pet owner… Then… I suppose it's worth giving a try."

"Oh…! Thank you, Pappy! I promised you won't be disappointed in the least! I will make this work,"Fluttershy was quick to suffice a great big hug to her pappy for allowing Rainbow to prove herself,"Once this competition starts, she'll start learn what it truly means to have a furry friend!"

"I would hope so…! Because I don't want any issues between a furry friend and Rainbow Dash…!"Typhoon warned before they heard squeaking at the door to their cottage.

Once they looked to the door to see what the commotion was, all they found was their rabbits. They were in the middle of trying to open the door, but the knob was way too high for them to reach. Thankfully Stormy already had a plan for that, and it involved Angel putting his paws together. He helped Angel in kind at putting his paws together in the form of a small step. He then pulled them to the ground where he told Angel to keep them, while he suddenly bounced on top of Angel's paws.

This gave him the momentum he needed to jump up and grab onto the door knob. He turned it, and instantly opened the door in kind while Angel was waving and blowing on his paws. Since they were now sore from supporting the gray rabbit, but the technique worked never the less.

"Alright, you two. You don't have to get desperate, we're coming…!"Typhoon and Fluttershy walked to their cottage to go inside with their eager pets to end this day.

They decided to no longer keep their pets waiting, and quietly went inside. Where Fluttershy and Angel could settle down to sleep while Typhoon and Stormy decided to be night owls for tonight. While Fluttershy and Angel went to bed, an hour later, Typhoon emerged with Stormy. They both made it over to Typhoon's rocking chair that gave him a view of the natural gardens, forest, and Equestrian plain. The perfect view for them to take in as they watched nature and all it's creatures begin their lives after hours.

Typhoon groaned at first, but it quickly turned to a sigh of relief the moment he sat in his chair. Stormy once again climbed up onto his lap, holding a decently large branch. Once Typhoon was settled in with his rabbit, Stormy got to work on his special hobby with the use of his teeth. As he began knowing on the branch, stripping the jagged pieces of the branch off with his powerful bunny teeth. Before he then began to chew at the bark to remove it, Typhoon only chuckled.

"So what do you think you'll be carving out this time? I thought the wooden curve sword was your master piece,"Stormy responded to Typhoon with a simple raise of his eye brow that was full of thought and simply shrugged,"Just go for something you think will be able to top the last one. If you can that is?"

Stormy was more than willing to try and make Typhoon eat those challenging words. As he got to work on whatever big piece of wooden art his mind could possibly think of. So he wasted no time getting started on something thicker, larger, and and so much easier to craft in his own opinion.

"Hey… Do you remember when we first met, Stormy? That meadow by the lake,"Typhoon suddenly decided to dive deep into the memories while listening to the crickets,"You were just a little bunny… And your mother ask me to take you… She was sick… And she wanted you to have a chance to live…"

Stormy paused a moment to be regaled with the memories of his past before Typhoon. His ears drooped as he slowly nibbled at the wood, hoping to simply let the old memories come and go. As much as Typhoon understood that Stormy preferred not to think about it, he felt some memory kindling was necessary to raise the flames of their friendship.

"She'd be proud of you… You've been a responsible father figure for many little friends,"Typhoon complimented and slowly petted the gray rabbits head while sighing to the forest,"And you've really helped me remember what I fought for as a warrior, and a pony of nature…"

Stormy's ears lifted a bit, and he found comfort in his masters friendly touch. It helped lift his spirits to the point that he could get back into the mood of relentlessly chewing on wood. Hoping to make something beautiful, and now he had something on his mind to make of it. As he continued carving deep into the night, alongside his peaceful and very respectable master. They enjoyed their calming night before the storm that would approach tomorrow.

---

Tomorrow couldn't have come any quicker, they honestly wish it didn't come. So they hoped to sleep on the porch and pray for the day of competition to simply pass by with ease. Typhoon calmly rocked in his chair, while Stormy slept with a hidden wooden carving laying under him. The morning birds treated Typhoon to a bit of bliss and happiness that loosened his stress. Allowing him to find the strength to slowly open his eyes and awake from his slumber.

Stormy yawned and rubbed his eyes before standing up to look to the sunlight. He had the same bad feeling about this day that Typhoon had, and perhaps it was rightfully so. For when Typhoon stretched out and let his rabbit jump off so he could stand up and prepare himself for the day. That's when they heard the squawks, squeaks, flaps and so many more noises of many flying animals. All of them were traveling right over their heads and across the path going into town.

An Eagle, a hawk, a flamingo, a humming bird, a duck, a Toucan, a goose and an owl, all professional flyers. As well as a butterfly, a wasp, and a bat, all decent choices as well. This whole massive flock of flying creatures were on their way to the town of Ponyville for one reason. And it was making Typhoon's spine chill and his hooves hurt, while Stormy's ears twitched and flickered. There was no running from this, he agreed to a competition for Rainbow Dash to find herself a pet, now he had to honor the agreement.

So he slowly stretched out his legs and took a look to the cottage. Before he then shrugged and patted his bunny's head, he gestured Stormy to follow him as he decided to take a walk. All the way upon the path that the animals took, hoping to reach the town before the competition began.

"Don't worry we'll stop for some breakfast when we get into town, Stormy."Typhoon reassured the rabbit and got him following his master on the path to Ponyville.

They took their time going to Ponyville, for they both had no interest in the competition. So when they finally arrived to the town, they took a detour towards the fancy Ponyville restaurant. Where they could pick up a Daisy, hay and tomato sandwich, as well as a butter croissant stuffed with carrots. Once they had some piping hot breakfast, they were ready to take on the day. So they finally went on to find Fluttershy and her friends to watch and pray that this competition did what she promised it would do.

With their breakfast at hoof and paw to enjoy, they started to look around for the six mares. Stormy casually ate his carrot croissant and picking at his teeth while sniffing around for the animals. He was then able to interrupt Typhoon before he could bite into his sandwich a second time. With a tug at Typhoon's leg he pointed forward and took off running down town. Typhoon shrugged and decided to follow his rabbit, for Stormy was always a trust worthy rabbit.

So the green stallion stuffed his sandwich into his mouth to carry out before following. Stormy's nose tracked the smell of many birds all the way down near the town center. A little bit near the spot where one would spot Sugar Cube Corners, as well as the Ponyville library. The little gray rabbit quickly came to a grinding halt, kicking up some dirt to completely stop in his tracks. As he spotted the group of animals lined up like soldiers before Rainbow Dash, as she spoke to them like a drill Sargent.

"So! You all think you've got what it takes to be my pet, do ya? Well we'll just see about that,"Rainbow yelled and paced in front of the contenders, including a late joining tortoise,"If any of you don't think you can handle it, back out now before you humiliate yourself in front of your peers!"

Stormy took deep offense that the animals were being talked down to like this. He growled and dared to jump for Rainbow, possibly hoping to bite her face up or scratch out her eyes. Thankfully Typhoon grabbed at his tail and held the bunny back before he could jump for the Pegasus.

"She's not worth it, Stormy… Just let her sink on her own buddy…!"Typhoon gave calm words to the rabbit to stop him from getting hostile towards Rainbow.

"This competition isn't for the weak! You'd better be prepared to step it up,"Rainbow continued to yell as she spotted one of the birds not flapping their wings fast enough for her standards, and got the bird moving,"You call that flapping?! That's better…! There's only room on team Dash for one of you, and my future pet needs to be able to take it to the extreme! Any questions?"

"I got one. Does she understand what a pet really needs?"Applejack questioned while the other mares noticed Typhoon and Stormy approaching Rainbow Dash from behind.

"Yea, like care and attention, love and affection, and ugh…! Breath mints…!"Twilight agreed only to be silenced from her friend's bad breath from all the yelling.

"Now, you just pay attention, and try your best, and-"Fluttershy tried to motivate the animals, only to be interrupted by Rainbow's outrage.

"Seriously, Fluttershy?! The turtle? What did you bring that thing here for?!"Rainbow demanded an explanation for the fact that the late arrival tortoise was a part of the competition.

"Technically, he's a tortoise, and he's always dreamed of being some pony's pet,"Fluttershy explained the tortoise's reason for being a part of the competition,"He just wants a chance to compete, he won't get in the way. You won't even know he's here…"

"No…"Rainbow denied Fluttershy, only to back away the minute she saw Typhoon standing right behind Rainbow.

"Uh… Just let him try…"Fluttershy tried to play it nice in hopes of a scuffle being avoided between her friend and her Pappy.

"Ugh, but there's no way he can possibly keep up. Look at him!"Rainbow Dash exclaimed and pointed out the flaws of the reptile, trying to put the tortoise down proved to be her mistake.

"Rainbow? You may just wanna go with it. Might not be a good idea to get picky…!"Applejack claimed as Typhoon let hot steam flow from his nostrils down her back.

"Why? Is it getting windy in here? Or Is that just me?"Rainbow asked while noticing a breeze that turned very warm and even started to make her back sweaty, that was when her friends pointed right behind her.

Rainbow Dash raised an eye brow, and finally noticed a shadow casting over her. She slowly followed the shadow and her friends directions before finally turning around. Where she met muzzle to muzzle with a less than pleased Typhoon and a very mused Stormy the rabbit. The rabbit munched on his carrot roll while partially crossing his arms and rapidly tapping his foot. The rainbow mane Pegasus fell silent and she dared not to provoke a repeat of what happened yesterday.

"You will take whatever you are given. You're in no position to be picky…!"Typhoon warned as Stormy hopped onto Typhoon's muzzle and began serving up some words for Rainbow Dash.

Stormy went into a tirade of squeaks and loud noises as he talked down to Rainbow. No pony could understand him, and it was lucky for them, because Fluttershy and Typhoon could. And there was no filter on his mouth as he insulted and told off Rainbow Dash for her show of arrogance to other animals. Typhoon remained composed and let the rabbit feed Rainbow some two cents. While Fluttershy felt her ears cringing from the loud and foul language.

"My goodness…! The language, Stormy…! I know she upset you, but please calm down…!"Fluttershy begged Typhoon's rabbit to relax as he jumped from Typhoon's nose and landed right before the line of animals.

Stormy then let the animals in on some specific detail about the competition they were in. They were quick to listen while being completely surprised by what sounded like a hidden test. A test that was not there's to pass, but rather one that Rainbow needed to pass if she wanted a pet. The animals understood that even if one of them won the games, if Rainbow Dash failed, the winner could not be her pet. A cruel punishment, but Rainbow would solely be at fault if she failed the pet.

They gave the gray rabbit salute, showing that they had much more respect for Stormy. This ate away at Rainbow as the gray bunny hopped off to his masters side before they both joined the group. Leaving Rainbow Dash to continue her preparations for the pet competition.

"Alright! Now these games will determine which one of you has the most important qualities I'm looking for in a pet,"Rainbow continued her instructions to the animals that listened clearly,"Speed! Agility! Guts! Style! Coolness! Awesomeness! And radicalness!"

"Aren't those all the same thing?"Twilight asked a good question about what Rainbow desired from pets that seemed somewhat similar.

"You would think that, Twilight. That's why you would never qualify to be my pet."Rainbow Dash zoomed over and petted her friend's head for her supposed naivety.

"She's not going to pass this test…"Typhoon groaned as they all got started on the big pet competition.

It was not too long of a walk before they made it to the Ponyville race track for the first event. The event of great speed, one that was test out the speed and endurance of the pets. The mares and the warrior sat on the side lines, Typhoon and Stormy looked like they were getting brutal headaches. While Fluttershy was holding Angel and in constant worry about the duo's patience. Not to mention the strange group of ten camera ponies that all looked the same, orange manes and tails with yellow coats, some had curly tails, some have wavy hair, but they were generally similar.

"So when did we get paparazzi in this competition. Isn't there enough noise in this competition already?"Typhoon groaned while covering his eyes from the constant camera flashes.

"They told me they were from Manehattan. They wanted to capture the classic local competitions for the papers,"Twilight explained the reason behind all the camera ponies being a part of this,"Apparently the new big thing is traditional or classic competitions and games."

"Well that hardly makes any sense…"Applejack whispered from her own experience from what Manehattan ponies like and dislike.

"Speed! On your marks… Get set,"Rainbow yelled and prepared to blow her whistle as the animals prepared to blaze down the track,"GO!"

With a shout and a hard blow of the whistle, every pet, but the tortoise took off. They were all flying as fast as they could, and Rainbow Dash was right at all their sides, studying them. One was sort of speedy, the next was not speedy, the third was not speedy, a fourth was pretty speed, and a fifth hard contender could be more speedy. That was when the sixth fast flyer decided to blow the others out of the water. As he blasted right by all the others, and even blazing all the feathers off the owl.

The brave falcon screeched with pride the minute it passed the finish line first. As Rainbow met the race winner with quite a bit of respect, his speed was beyond all the others. And the camera crew ponies seem to be loving it as they took pictures and murmured among themselves.

"Yeah! Now that's speed,"Rainbow complimented the winner before noticing the tortoise that never managed to get across the starting line,"Tsk tsk… Now that's just sad…"

"At least he tried…! How ungrateful…!"Typhoon spat and crossed his arms while shaking his head at the Pegasus.

"Easy Pappy… There's still plenty of events for change to happen…"Fluttershy begged for more patience as they began cleaning up the race track.

"Well…that was mildly entertaining…!"A mare in the group decided to be the one to break the silence.

"I hate that we're stuck being paparazzi sharks for a lame competition…!"A stallion ranted while gazing upon the group of mares and one warrior.

"We're here for one of the elements of harmony. We have to wait and play nice."A second stallion reminded them of an apparent secret task they were truly doing.

"Still this is pathetic. We're following these ponies around while some self righteous Pegasus abuses animals,"A second mare gossiped while packing up their things to follow the group,"And they call US cruel and monstrous…!"

"You want out? Go talk to our big large and in charge friend in the cave. I'm sure he'd love to hear your complaints,"A lead stallion warned the others about their doubts and complaints that quickly went silent the moment he spoke of an employer,"That's what I thought…! Now pack up and lets move on…!"

And so the strange group moved on to the next course that was just next to the race track. An obstacle course, full of many tires, loops, maze ways and so many more obstacles. All in the name of testing out the animals agility and reflexes when out in the field performing for others. This one looked a bit unsafe for some of the pets, especially the slow tortoise that had no agility. But that didn't appear to be something to be concerned about for Rainbow Dash, she cared only for competition.

The group of photographers were not much help either, they just set up and readied their cameras. Typhoon slammed his flank down and sighed while Stormy covered his eyes with his own ears. The mares began to worry that this competition was going to be the death of him. That is is the other animals didn't die first, as they wasted no time going through the obstacle course. Rainbow was quick to watch over every pet as they flew through the course, some had more ease than others.

"Agility! Sort of agile… Not agile… Pretty agile… Could be more agile,"Rainbow followed each animal and judged them all on the mistakes they were making, then she came to the tortoise who couldn't even jump and fell on his face,"Wanna know the opposite of agility? That!"

It was then that Rainbow spotted the winner of the obstacle course. The small humming bird that looped and fluently flew through and over every obstacle almost like a machine. Rainbow was quick to meet the winner at the end of the obstacle course and give the humming bird a big congratulations.

"Yeah, baby! Now that's what I call agility. Come on, don't leave me hanging,"Rainbow Dash complimented and offered a hoof for a high hoof to wing that the humming bird almost fell to the ground attempting to give her one,"I'm gonna have to shave a point off your score for that…!"

"Ugh…! So ignorant, and careless when it comes to a pet…!"Typhoon and Stormy were thinking the same thing after how this second course went.

The next course came quickly in the form of a gut test, what pet had the most guts? This would be decided as a simple fashionable animal carrier was placed in the middle of the grass. While a little stuffed mouse was placed right in front of the carrier, where a deadly pet laid in wait within the carrier. This test felt just wrong, even when Stormy recalled Opal the cat scratching up his master's face. They all watched in silence as the camera ponies were more than interested in this one.

"Okay! Which of you has the guts to try and get Opal's favorite toy away from her?"Rainbow asked before opening the carrier and letting the angry white cat exit to stare down the animals.

With one show of danger in the form of her sprouting the infamous shiny cat claws. Most of the contenders were shaking and hiding away, terrified to get anywhere near the cat. Typhoon grew only more displeased at this apparent test, it was forcing animals to put themselves in danger. It made him walk over to the nearest rock he could find and lift his head back before smashing it into the side of the rock. The rock trembled from the smash and slowly cracked up before crumbling apart like a dead leaf.

Thankfully no animals ended up getting hurt in this dangerous stunt. Thanks to a brave little butterfly fluttering it's way before the hostile cat that threatened to tear it to shreds. With a flap and sudden hypnosis brought on by the alluring color patterns on it's gentle and fragile wings. The cat was thrown into a trance that kept her calm and completely unaware of everything. Allowing the butterfly to retrieve the mouse toy and bring it back to Rainbow Dash, gaining a cheer from the mares.

"Now that takes guts!"Rainbow complimented the winner while the tortoise tried to at least compete by knocking over Opal's carrier to trap her in.

This was met with the cat viciously jumping to avoid the carrier in a panic. The panic then turned into aggression as the cat went into a flurry of scratches that the tortoise manage to defend against. Thanks to his powerful and very reliable shell, but once again, Rainbow was not impressed.

"I think we need to pick this up a bit… Pappy looks like he's going to have a break down…"Fluttershy worried before they were all quick to get to the next event.

This fourth event actually required the assistance of the group of camera ponies. It was a simple show of style, and that was to be shown by simply taking pictures of Rainbow and the pets. A simple but no less annoying event, for this meant that basically if the animals aren't good looking they instantly lose. Typhoon kept his head buried in the ground while the other ponies took photos. Fluttershy was getting worried for him, while even Stormy took a break from irritation to pat the stallion's back.

"Style! Any pet of mine's gotta look good! Because you gotta to make me look good!"Rainbow Dash explained while taking numerous pictures with all the best looking pets, then came the tortoise.

All he had was a pretty ribbon on, he was that desperate to finally be a pet. The fact that the tortoise had to wear a ribbon like a toy on Heart's warming Eve was beyond ridiculous. A pet should never have to dress themselves like a high class spoiled brat to impress an owner. Among all this heat and stress, the photographers were certainly enjoying the photo op they got. Not to mention the odd humor they got from watching the stallion groan and suffer through the events.

The fifth even came in the form of yet another simple challenge, a shout off. A way to discover the animal with the coolest sounds they naturally made, only the coolest could win. The Pegasus was ready to listen in on all the animals, while the mares watched in silence. Typhoon was currently eating an eggplant hot dog, feverishly, trying to eat in hopes of drowning out his anger. But Fluttershy was seeing that he wasn't doing so hot, he looked like he was going to get sick.

"Coolness! Sorta cool, not cool, pretty cool, could be cooler, not what I had in mind, I can't hear you,"Rainbow Dash announced and went down the line of owl, duck, bat, toucan, wasp and butterfly, then came the coughs of the tortoise,"Eugh…!"

It was then that the great eagle unleashed a glass shattering screech that was heard through out the town. It was a noise far beyond what Rainbow had heard before, and she did feel quite impressed. She needed to give her props to the eagle, not noticing just how terrible Typhoon was looking.

"Now that's a cool sound!"Rainbow complimented the eagle while Typhoon was getting almost teary eyed.

This was it, these final two events were the ones that finally pushed him too far. A nice big old grand stage, the same one used for the school's students to perform in talent shows. It was now used for the final two tests of the pet, Awesomeness, and Radicalness Both very similar. But never the less they were treated like two separate challenges that really pushed it with the pets. The outfits they would show up in, and all the tricks and even knitting they would do to impress her.

At this point, the mares could not even cheer or show any form of support. For they were far too busy seeing Typhoon's face go bright red with anger that would not hold one for much longer. Everything he strive for in nature and all the respect that should be showed to these animals. Rainbow Dash was taking it all away for a talent show that forced animals to perform like puppets. He was ready to burst as Rainbow passed judgment on each of the animals that performed.

"Sort of awesome, not awesome, could be more awesome. Ho, ho, ho, yeah! That is awesome!"Rainbow went down the lines of animal performances before seeing the owl turn it's head three hundred sixty degrees.

"They… They… They're being treated like circus performers…! I can't…! I can't…!"Typhoon was finally pass his breaking point while Rainbow cringed at the tortoise showing off his talent by letting his head vanish into his shell.

"Uh, you did that already… That's pretty much all you can do, huh,"Rainbow groaned in pity and disgust with the tortoise's plain and unamusing talent,"Honestly, I really think you should just quit while you can… Don't embarrass yourself like this any further."

The tortoise did not process too much on her words, but Stormy sure didn't approve. He growled and pulled out a wooden curve sword he himself carved into form some time ago. He slapped the side of the blade on his paw while Typhoon finally couldn't take it any more. He was not going to watch the animals be forced to perform for a chance to have an owner, they deserve more respect than that. Before Rainbow could get the radicalness event going, Typhoon finally exploded.

"NO! No, no, no, no, NO! NO! This is over! I'm not gonna let this continue ANY MORE,"Typhoon roared while Stormy run under his legs and towards the stage,"STORMY TEAR THIS INSULT TO NATURE DOWN! THIS…IS…OVER!"

"What are you talking about?! The animals are doing just…fine…?"Suddenly before Rainbow Dash could defend what she was doing, the animals ran off the stage towards her to get away from the chaos that went off on the stage.

Stormy was the cause of the chaos, as he displayed great strength and skill. His kicks shattered the wood floor the animals performed on, his wooden weapon cut down the curtains. He put many holes in the back wall with numerous twirling kicks that rumbled the stage. After slicing off two pillars that held the stage together, the gray rabbit leaped from stage and rolled before Rainbow. Growling as Typhoon finished the stage off with a mighty blow blasting from his mouth after a deep inhale.

The blast of wind came in like a spiraling cone that shot from his mouth. It smashed into the stage, and the stage quickly exploded into a giant pile of wood, rope and fabric that floated away. The powerful tornado like wind carried every piece of the stage away, all the way up into the sky. Never to be seen again as it vanished over the cloudy horizon, that was the sign to stop. As Typhoon slowly closed his mouth and breathed deeply before stomping towards Rainbow with some choice words.

"Now, Pappy…! You said you were going to give this a chance…!"Fluttershy's words fell on deaf ears as he knocked Rainbow to her flank.

"I'm not going to let these animals be subjected to these circus monkey performances,"Typhoon yelled and finally put his hoof down after enduring the events for the longest time,"You are a terrible pet owner! You put these animals through races, obstacle courses, potential cat maulings, photographies thanks to these random ponies!"

The mares felt a bit scared and hurt to see the green stallion tearing into their loyal friend. But after seeing how much it hurt him to see the animals being treated like simple toys. The only ponies that could really complain was the mildly insulted photographer ponies.

"And these last three events are all the same thing! All of it was just about the animal that was the best,"Typhoon continued ranting and freaking out and even making wild gestures to describe the events,"This animal can knit! This one can spin it's head! This one can juggle! All the talent they were willing to show you and you just brushed it off like it was nothing!"

Stormy had then suddenly jumped onto Typhoon's head and decided to get in on that chew out. He pointed his little finger wildly and yelled with squeaky madness at how disrespectful she was to the animals. Especially when it came to the tortoise that was doing everything he could to participate and finally find an owner.

"Thank you, Stormy! And let's not forget the poor tortoise that tried everything he could do please you,"Typhoon approved of Stormy's side complaint, regarding one humble and loving pet,"But because he's not fast, agile, stylish, gutsy, or cool in any way to you! You knock him down and treat him like he's this useless animal that doesn't deserve an owner!"

"I… I let him participate… He's just not my kind of pet… I mean…LOOK AT HIM…!"Rainbow gestured to the quiet tortoise, before she suddenly looked back to Typhoon and got a sudden slug across the nose.

She gripped her muzzle while the animals and ponies all gasped in shock. Except for the photographers that chuckled and snickered to see such a hostile action performed on an element of harmony. The animals hid behind the Pegasus in fear while Rainbow processed a bleeding nose she had received.

"I have had it with you and the way you treat animals…! This event will conclude, and you will NOT have a pet…! EVER,"Typhoon made his decision final to end the suffering of himself and nature's pride,"If you got any respect left for these animals…! You will let them go! And stay away from them for a long time…!"

Rainbow rubbed her nose slowly and tried wiping off the blood from her nose. She sniffled and took the berating of words that pummeled her ears and damaged her pride filled heart. But she then slowly flew to the air and wiped her nose clean before firing back her own heated words.

"You know…! Just because you're this big nature lover, doesn't mean you get to be my parent,"Rainbow boldly stood up to the stallion regardless of who he was or what he was capable of,"In case you haven't noticed, I'm a grown mare! I can make my own decisions and so can these grown up animals! They CHOSE to be here! I did not force them into this!"

"And look at what you're doing to them now…!"Typhoon retorted and stood his grown, almost wishing he had his scythe in his hoof right now.

"Who cares! They agreed to it, and they agreed to finish this event to the very end,"Rainbow raised to the air as all the animals flew up after her,"So we are going to finish this! You don't like it, you can kiss my flank! But I'm going to find myself a pet, no matter what you say!"

"I'm not going to let you go through with this, Rainbow…!"Typhoon warned as he sprouted his wings, ready to jump on the mare and give her a good lesson in respect.

"Go ahead! Attack me then! Make yourself look like more of danger to your furry friends,"Rainbow Dash suddenly pulled a baiting tactic after seeing how the animals reacted to Typhoon's rage,"Yeah, mother nature would love to see you bullying and hitting on ponies right in front of the creatures! Go on, do it!"

"Don't you DARE test me…!"Typhoon warned and stepped forward, only to see the animals cower in fear.

It appeared that Rainbow Dash had his number, she knew the weak point to challenge him. And he was already stepping back, seeing the animals shivering to see him angry and yelling. While he quickly tried to cool down to appear less hostile, he glared at Rainbow for her crafty trick.

"Orion is going to hear about this…! He won't give a buck what any pony thinks,"Typhoon fumed while Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and turned around to leave,"Yeah go ahead! Leave and do whatever you want! Because Rainbow is going to always get her way! How did the elements of harmony choose an arrogant Pegasus like you to be bearer?!"

He walked off in a huff, his outrage was beyond it's boiling point for the Pegasus. The mares knew it was too late to make a go for Rainbow Dash, for she was gone, vanishing into the clouds. Leaving them to only run to Typhoon to help him relax so they could at least defuse the tension.

"Pappy…! Pappy! Please calm down, you know it's not like you to be angry for long,"Fluttershy begged for peace within Typhoon's heart before making a desperate grab for him and crushing the stallion into a hug,"I'm sorry…! I'm so sorry! I should have told Rainbow this was going too far…! Please just…relax…"

Typhoon paused for a moment as she wrapped him up into a warm and gentle hug. He panted and breathed heavily before slowly reaching to give Fluttershy a returning hug to embrace her love. They stood there for several minutes hugging each other until cooler heads finally prevailed. Typhoon rested his head on Fluttershy's shoulder, breathing slower and nicer. While the other mares watched and worried, for they slowly began to realize just how far Rainbow was pushing his beliefs over the edge.

"I'm sorry… I can't… I just can't deal with this any further…! What I saw the animals doing for a role as a pet,"Typhoon sighed and did his best to relax from all the crazy animal tests,"This was not what I expected from a competition…! She's basically spat on the sanctity of nature and it's creatures…! And I… Just stood there and watched!"

"Typhoon… He really feels completely offended. Rainbow really just kept poking at his way of life…"Applejack admitted after seeing just how defeated and and destroyed the stallion appeared on the inside.

"We gotta fix this… We should have just accepted that Rainbow wasn't ready just yet,"Twilight decided that they needed to make things right rather than just picking sides,"We gotta go find Rainbow Dash. And as her friends, we need to sit her down and tell her she's gotta let the animals go and wait till she's ready…!"

"That sounds like a good idea, Twilight. Rather avoid any more fighting and drama…!"Rarity agreed that there needs to be a simple and clean ending to this drama.

"That's a first to hear from you…"Applejack commented on their most dramatic friend wanting to end the drama for a change.

"YES! Hey! Did you two hear that?! We're all going after Rainbow Dash! We're going to stop her!"Pinkie called out a bit too loudly, but the good news compensated for it.

"That's a relief… Pappy, you heard that, right? We're going to do what we should have done,"Fluttershy kept her hooves on Typhoon's shoulders and spoke sweetly to try and retrieve his spirits,"We're all going to sit her down and tell her that she can't have a pet till she learns her lesson…!"

"If she couldn't listen to me and a good hoof across the nose…. How will she listen to any of you?"Typhoon sighed and looked away for a moment to assess the con of their plan.

"We're her friends, and we know what's best for her! She may not like it, but we gotta do it for her own good,"Fluttershy explained and showed him a more serious face,"And we will hold her done and scream reason in her face if we must. We will say what has to be said… Her behavior will leaver her petless!"

"Well… I guess I can give you and your friends one more try. But no more nonsense,"Fluttershy nodded and the friends cheered for Typhoon's last bit of approval on their plan,"Come on Stormy, we gotta go hunt down that stubborn mare and finally bring full authority down on-"

Suddenly, Typhoon noticed that Stormy was not at his side like he thought the rabbit would be. He looked around and under Fluttershy to find his friend, but he could not find Stormy anywhere. He then tried sniffing at the air, his muzzle shot to the ground, and that's where he saw paw prints.

"Stormy? Where did you go?! Stormy!"Typhoon called out to and followed his tracks as Fluttershy quickly started looking around.

"What's wrong?"Twilight asked after noticing that there was yet another issue.

"Stormy's gone…! He was just with us not too long ago…!"Fluttershy followed her pappy till they already came to the end of the tracks, right where Rainbow Dash was sitting before she left.

"Tell me he didn't just… Oh my gosh…!"Typhoon looked up where he could smell Stormy's fading scent vanishing into the sky.

"He must have climbed onto Rainbow Dash and rode her to the last event…!"Fluttershy exclaimed and her friends gasped in shock.

"He must have wanted to give her a bit more of his two cents… Stormy doesn't let go of things like this so easily,"Typhoon sighed and shook his head before looking to the sky in solemness,"That can happen when a rabbit chooses to shadow the life style of an Equestrian warrior…"

"Then that's only more reason for us to get moving and go find our friends…!"Applejack incited a very agreeable thought that prmpted them to get moving.

"Then lets move out every pony!"Twilight announced and took the lead, bolting off in the direction Rainbow flew off in.

The rest of the group followed right behind her, desperate to track down Rainbow Dash. While several miles further to the north, Rainbow Dash was taking the lead for all the animals. She flew high and through the clouds for the longest time, thinking about the power struggle she had with Typhoon. Something started to eat away at her from within, something cold and stomach churning. Her heart felt like it was sinking down in her stomach like a block of ice and making her gut go crazy.

She looked back to the animals that were still following, while most of he other ones went home. She looked back to the ground, sighing and thinking harder about what happened. At first she thought it was simply her reeling from being insulted and talked down to like a child. A damaged pride was possible, but remembering how she used the animals to defend her desires against Typhoon. As clever as it seemed, her body certainly did not appear to be approving of what she did.

Even her head was pounding as hard as her heart, it would seem this was not a good feeling. This felt a lot more like guilt, an emotion that Rainbow Dash was not very use to feeling. She swallowed and rubbed at her chest, hoping to do something for her aching and sinking heart.

"It's just one more test! And we get to find out which one of you earns the honor of being my pet!"Rainbow turned around to announce the final test to the animals, hoping to bury her guilt.

She looked forward and spotted their destination, a place that was known for being quite dangerous. Ghastly Gorge, a dangerous stone chasm built like a windy labyrinth. It has caused many deadly accidents and even deaths to those most reckless and unprepared. As they all slowly began to descend, the animals were appearing quite nervous to approach such a dangerous place. Except for one little rabbit that wasn't going to let this final test happen, and possibly get the animals killed.

Stormy poked his head out from Rainbow's flickering mane and looked around to find out where they were. The minute he saw them approaching Ghastly Gorge, he went into a panic. The rabbit needed a way to stop this test from happening, these animals were being lead into certain death. Finally, he spotted his opportunity in the form of Rainbow's wings, it was time to clip them. He did so by hopping out of her mane, surprising her immensely as he gripped at the base of her wings with both paws.

"What the?! How did you get here?! What are you doing,"Rainbow looked to the rabbit before he had her wings in his grip and they immediately began to drop to the ground,"LET GO OF MY WINGS! I NEED THOSE FOR FLYING! YAAAAAAAGGGHHH!"

She spiraled like a downed plane, spinning and falling towards the hard stone ground. As the other animals slowly followed them all the way to their brutal crash landing at the edge of the gorge. Rainbow slammed face first into the solid stone, crushing a face indentation into the ground. Stormy used her like an air bag to cushion the fall and was able to shake off the crash. He shook his head, and gripped onto her mane to hold her still while he relayed some much needed orders.

With a couple frantic and angry squeaks to the animals, the competition was over. Rainbow Dash had been declared a failure, and her final test would mean absolutely nothing for them. So they all bowed respectfully, and did as the rabbit demanded before taking to the skies again. Rainbow slowly managed to peel her bruised up and scratched face just in time to see the animals leaving. Before she scrambled to her hooves and shook off the pebbles and dust from her mane and body.

"Hey! Where are you all going?! We have one more test to complete before it's decided,"Rainbow called out to all the animals that disappeared into the clouds,"What the hay did you do?! What did you say to them?!"

Stormy hopped off Rainbow's back and quickly got out his karate chopping paws. Before he went chop happy on the ground, since there was no way for Rainbow to understand his language. Thankfully some nice carvings into the stone shaped out just the words he needed to say to her.

"You giant horses flank! First you treat the other animals like toys, then you use them against my master,"Stormy's writing spoke of his offense regarding the animals as well as the deep insult she threw at Typhoon,"You are not getting a pet, ever! I told them to all go home since you failed to change your ways when it came to being an owner! They didn't fail you…! YOU failed them!"

"Oh yeah, I forgot. You're Typhoon's pet rabbit. Typhoon is always right when it comes to other ponies,"Rainbow brushed herself off while Stormy constantly stamped his foot in anger,"You know what? I'll tell you what I told him…! You can't treat me like a child! If I wanna get myself a pet, then I want a pet!"

Stormy shook his head quickly and decided to write another message for her in the dirt and stone. This one caused Rainbow to be tested even more so, for it was one she was getting tired of hearing. Not only was the famous, you're not ready in the message, but now there was an insult and detail that supported it.

"You're literally trying to perform a test to animals in one of the most dangerous areas in Equestria,"Stormy wrote the very words his master would once again shake her down with,"You're going to get some pony or animal killed! And when one of them dies, it will be YOUR fault! An animals blood will be on your hooves! And Typhoon was trying to tell you that for your sake, and the animals!"

"Well that's why I had all these tests made! So I can see if the animal has what it takes. It's not my fault Typhoon has mother nature too shoved up his flank,"Her words caused Stormy to show the sides of his mouth full of teeth as he growled from the insult,"And I am grown mare! So he can't tell me what to do like he does with Fluttershy because he beats down on her so often like a manipulative tool!"

Stormy's eye twitched from hearing Rainbow taunt and slander Typhoon's good name. He growled and decided that this mare finally needed a thorough lesson in respect. The rabbit was lightning fast to react, faster than Rainbow could even ready herself to be for what came next. In a flash, Stormy jumped right onto her face and started biting and punching at her face. She screamed and quickly tried pulling the rabbit off, but he had a face grip on her mane as he punched in her left eye.

"Get off! Stupid rabbit! You're worse than Angel! Get off,"Rainbow screamed and struggled with the rabbit as she felt forced back and right against the ledge of the gorge,"If you're such a good and equal partner! Why do you follow in his footsteps like you're an inferior partner to him?!"

Stormy responded by punching in the right eye and biting at her head, tearing pieces of her mane out. However a mistake was made the moment Stormy threw a solid punch across the muzzle. It was just enough force to knock Rainbow back and tilt slowly over the gorge edge. She swung her hooves around and screamed, for there was no way to stop herself from going down. She could only brace and close her eyes as they both fell over the ledge and began rolling down the gorge.

Stormy held on tight to her mane and kept on punching her muzzle till they ran into cluster of rocks. This was just enough to knock Stormy off Rainbow Dash, causing them to fall down different directions. Rainbow kept on singing as she went over a steeper part of the edge. Where she took a drop straight down, and crashed into the stone floor once again. Thankfully there was piles of rocks to break her fall, and explode all over her upon impact.

Dust surrounded her as she laid in a mess of rocks and gravel, she almost wanted to pass out. But that was not her style, she wasn't going to let herself be knocked right out by a little bunny. However that bunny was not done with her, not by a long shot, her insult still cut too deep. So it wasn't long after she coughed and sat back up that he was quickly on her case once again. He was already in her face, holding on tight and punching her face in once again with a flurry of screeches and swipes.

Rainbow could not even utter any words, she was too busy screaming for the beating to stop. Thankfully it was time for Stormy to execute the next part of his punishment for Rainbow. He saw that her wing was stuck in a rock, and that meant that she was going nowhere. So he was able to hop off and pick up a heft ten pound rock with both paws and smash it against a boulder. Once the boulder began to crack and crumble away, Stormy stormed his way back over to the down Pegasus.

He hopped back on her belly and showed off the rock he was carrying in his paws. He was in a bit of a struggle, but the anger from her insult gave him the abnormal strength he needed. He pointed to the boulder that had then shattered away, allowing a small demand in stone words to appear.

"SAY YOU'RE SORRY! TAKE IT BACK!"Read the new stone carving.

"Never…!"Rainbow groaned in defiance, which she would come to deeply regret.

As Stormy then lifted the rock over his head, and suddenly turned around. Rather than go for her head or her stomach with the rock, he had a more painful spot for the rock to go to work. With a big grunt and a bit of struggling, he brought the rock down and crushed it right between Rainbow's legs. A faint crack was heard before Rainbow erupted into her most girly scream yet. Her legs tried to cross, but Stormy kicked them away and pointed to the stone sign.

"No…! Not…taking it back…!"Rainbow squealed quietly, trying to defy submission to the little gray rabbit.

But as he lifted up the rock again, she shook her head frantically, begging him to stop. Finally, he brought it down between her legs once more, making her scream in agony one more time. He then tossed the rock in exhaustion, and pointed to the sign while she took a moment to cross her back legs.

"Ok…! Ok…! I'm sorry! I take it back, ok?!"Rainbow cried and held her legs together before she began to tear up.

Stormy panted and slowly sat on her belly to catch his breath from the scuffle. He wiped the sweat from his face before he then spotted the tears welling up in her eyes. After all that big talk, she was finally broken entirely, and that meant he could get through to her and learn about her issues.

"You don't think I felt bad for what I said and did?! I do! I feel terrible inside for what I did,"Rainbow suddenly began to open up thanks to a birth of emotions drawn out by pain,"I just didn't know the first thing about being humble or putting an animal before myself. Ponies are one thing, but a animal felt so different…! I didn't know how to handle the idea of a pet like the others did!"

Stormy was slowly catching his breath, as he lifted an eye brow to the sudden opening revelation of Rainbow Dash. So he simply sat there and listened, taking in every single word she had to say.

"But I wanted a pet so I could hang out with my friends at the park like them, and… Well… I wanted a pet because… I felt like I was missing something,"Rainbow continued on while Stormy only tilted his head and kept a straight and serious face,"So when I wanted a pet, I just wanted one. I didn't know or think about what it took to have a pet. I just wanted one to fill the void! All my friends had pets, so it made me feel like I was alone and different!"

She sniffled and let tears slowly start to stream down the sides of her face. From the guilt of her behavior to the feelings she felt from realizing how different she felt being by herself. Seeing her friends with pets made her feel like she was missing out on something beautiful between master and pet.

"I thought if I was hard and I did what I always knew how to do when it came to picking something out,"Rainbow still had more to admit while stormy's anger began to fade and give away to sympathy,"So I use my competitive spirit in hopes that It would help me find the pet for me. It didn't want to think about there being even more to being an owner than just what she knew."

She wiped at her eyes full of tears as she choked on her sobs in hopes to control herself. She was already breaking down in front of a martial artist rabbit, it was hard to get any more embarrassing than that. But Stormy appeared to be releasing his grip on her as he hopped off the Pegasus.

"So there it is! I wanted to basically find a pet in my own way rather than the proper way,"Rainbow yelled out and held a hoof to her chest to calm down,"And to do that I made animals bend over backwards for me, and made them go against a stallion that only had deep respect for them! There, I said it!"

Stormy let his ears drop a bit, now that she was pouring herself out in the open. He couldn't help but feel a good bit of pity for her, something he expected from hat Typhoon taught him. At the very least, by finally explaining her behavior and admitting that she was in the wrong. Rainbow had officially taken her first step towards learning responsibility for a pet. He was ready to tell her that, and hopefully end this heated feud between his master and the Pegasus for the sake of all the other elements.

Only for both of them to suddenly get berated by a series of bright white flashes. Along with the loud pop and clicks of photos being taken of the both of them, from their fight, to Rainbow's confession. It was all being captured by the group of Manehattan ponies they tried to shield themselves from. But Rainbow realized it was too late, they caught her crying and losing a fight to a rabbit. She covered her face in shame while the ponies laughed and marveled at the scene.

"Amazing! Rainbow Dash, the element of loyalty, admits to being a bad pet owner,"The lead stallion exclaims while taking numerous photos of the damaged and miserable Rainbow Dash,"Not only that, she takes a humiliating beating from a small gray rabbit! Quite a spectacle!"

"You're getting too into this job…!"A mare spoke while taking pictures of the rabbit that was cringing from a sudden foul odor.

"Hey… This is kind of an opportunity Insec… We have a weakened element of harmony before us,"A younger looking stallion slowly walked to the leader's side and relayed sudden information,"And she's one of the fighter ones…! Moltorious would be even more pleased with us to see her captured and brought before him…!"

"Moltorious? How do YOU ponies know about the Cinder pony leader,"Rainbow overheard the words and sat up straight with deep suspicion that made the ponies all look to the blabber mouth,"I'm almost certain no pony in Manehattan keeps up with anything in this side of Equestria. At least until YOU folks showed up…!"

The ponies were all glaring at the young stallion, while he just held his mouth shut with both hooves. Their stares were only interrupted by the sudden vicious growls of Stormy. He finally recognized the foul smell, it was the pure stink of insect and destroyed love. This was a stink that belonged to one creature, a creature he was ready to expose the moment he pulled out his wooden curve sword. He aimed the sword at the lead stallion, and quickly ran to them with a loud war cry.

With a powerful leap, he shocked them all by swinging the wooden weapon full force. As it sliced clean across the stallion's neck like butter, Rainbow was horrified to see what looked like a murder. But that all changed the minute the stallion's opened up neck gushed with green blood. Last time she checked, ponies don't have green blood or scream the way this stallion screamed. His wails came out like a dying rat or Tasmanian devil, maybe even like a vampire fruit bat.

He held his neck and screeched as green blood flowed all over the stone ground. His comrades only watched as he fell over and slammed on his side, just in time for green magic to flare up like fire. Quickly that magic flared around his body, and reformed him back to what he truly was. A creature that had come to be known as one of the most despised beasts the warriors ever knew. The filthy vampires of love, The trouble making insect made ponies, more bug than pony… Changelings.

Slowly the changeling bled out before it's shocked comrades, till he finally stopped moving. Witnessing such a death, but after seeing a stallion turn out to be something greatly abominable. She didn't know what to feel, as the other ponies slowly glared to her and Stormy.

"Wha… What the hay are you…?!"Rainbow questioned while trying to free her wing from under a boulder.

"That rabbit is quite clever…! He saw right through us…! He picked up on our scent right away!"The mare sighed while her eyes glowed green for a single moment.

"Guess the cat is out of the bag…! Thank you, POD!"One stallion said to the young one that blurted out the info before they all went through a change.

One by one, the rabbit and Pegasus got to see all ponies envelop into green flames. Before they were all revealed to be the blue bug eyed and pitch black insects, known as changelings. As they all showed their dark and horrific faces, they hissed and screeched at the growling rabbit. While Rainbow Dash struggled to get free from the rocks, knowing that Stormy was out numbered. But the rock was not budging, and she was too hurt to use her full strength on it.

"I'm stuck! I can't get out!"Rainbow called out to the bunny that looked back to her in a hidden panic.

"Good…! You're better off that way, element of loyalty! You're basically gift wrapped for us…!"The female changeling chuckled as the changelings threw their camera equipment away.

"And all that's standing between us and you, is this little rabbit…! He may be a feisty one, but he's only one bunny!"Another stallion changeling snickered as Stormy looked back to them and twirled his curve sword.

"Look here you…FREAKS…! He may be a bunny, but in case you didn't just see what happened,"Rainbow decided to show some defiance, regardless of how vulnerable she was,"He's anything BUT just a bunny. He's a pet that demands respect…! And you bugs just disrespected him!"

"We will see… CEIZE HER!"The mare changeling shouted and lunged, only for Stormy to slice out her front left hoof.

She face planted behind the rabbit, allowing Stormy to back flip right in front of her. He then gripped her hoof and hopped onto her back to bend it back and crack her shoulder apart. He then drove his wooden sword into the back of her head, triggering the rest of the changelings. They all jumped, and Stormy responded by jumping up to challenge them while Rainbow desperately tried to get free. Stormy manage to slash an X into the belly of one changeling before another swatted him into the stone ground.

He was quick to roll backwards all the way to Rainbow Dash's side to try and help. While the changelings foolishly assessed yet another comrade that was slit open and killed before them. The gray bunny quickly tried to push the rock on her wing off, but it was too heavy. He looked back to the enemy, and they were on the war path right towards the two of them again. Rainbow Dash gulped and tried as hard as she could to push the boulder off, but even with her help they couldn't free her.

"It's no use…! I'm trapped here! I'm sorry I caused all this…! I should have just accepted the fact that I wasn't ready,"Rainbow apologized as Stormy prepared to jump into the group of changelings once more,"Get out of here…! Go get Typhoon and the girls! We can't fend them off…! I'll be fine!"

Stormy lifted an eye brow and looked to Rainbow for her sudden choice to take the fall. His ears dropped for a moment, as he registered the terrible shape she was in after their scuffle. To leave her to be captured by changelings would be cowardly and dishonorable to do to an Equestrian citizen. So he shook his head and turned back to the enemy, twirling his wooden weapon above his head. Ready and willing to defend the loyal Pegasus that had at long last had a change of heart.

"Come on…! I'll be ok, we can't fight these monsters off…! We need help,"Rainbow begged Stormy to run away to find help, but instead he continued to stand his ground,"Why are you standing there?! Come on…! Why are you defending some pony that was so mean to you and your master?!"

"Because it's what pets do… We live, play, and fight for the owners and friends we care about… No matter what…! It's just what we do!"

These were the words he came to understand as a pet and equal partner to Typhoon. He wasn't going to let a Pegasus that seemed so respected fall to an enemy as vile as changelings. So he wasted no time as he suddenly charged and screamed with his weapon at the ready.

"Stormy! NOOOOO!"Rainbow reached out for the brave bunny as she watched him run into dangerous odds.

Stormy vanished into the group after leaping and drop kicking a changeling in the muzzle. He started swinging and kicking, nailing one changeling after another in the jaw and muzzle. His weapon cut at their cheeks and their hooves, screaming as he jumped and evaded their hooves. As well as their horns full of wicked changeling magic, one other changeling took a punch ton the eyes. Before another changeling finally manage to hit him with a solid ram of his forehead.

Stormy screeched as the changeling's horn drilled into his shoulder and forced him to the ground. He laid on his back and held his shoulder before the changeling tried to follow up with a stomp. Thankfully the rabbit held his blade tight and thrust the wooden blade upwards. Letting it pierce clean through the changeling's upper jaw and burst clean through the top of his head. He struggled to pull the weapon out and kick the changeling aside, before rolling to his feet.

He panted, swinging to keep the changelings back with a few wild swings. Seeing them bleed from the cuts he left them with kept the little rabbit fighting and war crying. He let his shoulder bleed, for his will to fight and protect numbed the pain in his shoulder and force some work in his bad arm. Just in time to get a hoof cracking him in the gut, forcing him to the ground again. The minute he was down, the changelings pinned the rabbit, while one changeling went for Rainbow Dash.

"Come here little Pegasus! You will be ours!"The changeling hissed while Rainbow picked up a rock and readied herself with a rock to fight back.

"Come get some then you bug looking freak!"Rainbow taunted and prepared to start swinging, only for Stormy to go in for the save.

After stabbing and slicing off another changeling's hoof to wriggle his way free. He held his blade up and threw it as hard as he could at the attacking changeling, and it made it's mark. The blade struck the changeling in the back of the head, causing it to die instantly as it face planted in front of Rainbow Dash. The rabbit then punched the first changeling he cut into across the jaw. Before he then hopped to his back and grabbed at the foe's neck, as he then twisted it to the point that it snapped like a twig.

That changeling dropped like a stone, as Stormy hawked a loogie and spit on the newest dead changeling. Only for the rabbit to fee a sharp burning pain erupt in his chest and belly. For yet another changeling lunged in and clamped his long fangs into the rabbit hard. He screamed, before the changeling swung him down and slammed him into the floor, where Stormy suddenly found himself in trouble. Rainbow screamed in pain and tried to shake herself free, as Stormy was now getting beaten and bit at by the attackers.

"STORMY! HELP! SOME PONY HELP US!"Rainbow cried for help and strained herself to get free as the rabbit squealed in pain.

She was forced to watch Stormy punch and kick at the changelings that attacked. But they were able to sink their fangs into his arms and legs, trying to cripple him before throwing the killing blow. As hard as he tried to fight, he could feel hos body starting to weaken, and all Rainbow could do was watch. With a quick thought, she tried picking up a rock to try and throw at them. Only to suddenly struggle to pick up what she now held in her hoof, and it certainly was no rock.

She looked down to what her hoof struggled to even hold let alone pick up. And that's when she met face to face with the tortoise, of all creatures to show up, it was the tortoise. He looked blankly at Rainbow Dash before blinking and suddenly tucking his head into his shell a bit. As he then began to suddenly knock his shell against the rock that had her ensnared, and using his own supply of unknown tortoise strength. Rainbow Dash looked to him and Stormy in a panic, confused on what she could do.

"I wasn't expecting you to show up…! Whatever you're doing, do it quick! He needs our help,"Rainbow exclaimed before the tortoise was suddenly rolling the rock off her wing with ease,"Look…! I know I was mean to you, and I can't believe that you came back! I'm sorry about how I acted, and I promise I'll never act that way again!"

Her words promoted the tortoise to push harder, and toss the boulder off Rainbow. She got her wing free and looked to the tortoise for his kind assistance, he may not have been the coolest pet in the world. But already this tortoise showed loyalty and never ending respect to an owner.

"Thanks…! You may not be the pet with everything I would want… But… You're everything I would need,"Rainbow petted the tortoise's head and saw him crack a smile before they both turned to the screams of Stormy,"STORMY! I'm coming buddy! Hold on!"

Rainbow was quick to take up a real rock and fly into the air to jump on in. While the tortoise took it's sweet and friendly time walking over to the changeling, where Rainbow Dash rammed the changelings off the bloody gray rabbit. She hovered over him, threatening to start cracking heads. She panted and swung at the changelings as they hissed and snipped at her, only four remained. But their dwindling numbers did not dwindle their violent spirits, as they all lunged at her.

With sound breaking speed at her command, Rainbow Dash went right into the fight. She kicked one back and into a stone wall before round housing and knocking another into the den of a Quarray Eel. Where he was knocked right out of the hole, only to get snatched up into the eel's jaws. Before being yanked back into the hole and promptly chomped and chewed to pieces. Rainbow was caught up in the moment of watching a changeling die, causing her to get tackled by another changeling.

She rolled on the ground with the changeling before he pinned her down. Thankfully, she was able to kick him right between the legs and manage to heave him over her head. Sending him flying straight into yet another Eel den, where he was promptly eaten as well. She rolled to her hooves and stared down the last two changelings, they both hisses and slowly began to circle her. As much as they secretly wanted to leave, that would only lead to a more sinister death at the hooves of their newest employer.

So there was no point in running away, they either complete their mission or they die. So they ran to the Pegasus, hoping to tag team her and pin her down for a good old love draining session. They did manage to tackle her to the dirt, she struggled and tried punching them in their heads. Only to get her hooves pinned down, leaving one changeling to start draining some love while the other held her down. She growled and lifted her head back, before she then threw a headbutt towards the drainer's way.

It was more than enough to knock the offending changeling off her as two fangs flew from his mouth. As he stumbled back and gripped his bleeding muzzle and mouth in pain. Leaving Rainbow to use her full strength to over turn the changeling and pin him down to the ground. He struggled under her and snapped at her neck, forcing the Pegasus to take up her rock and finish him. She grunted and screamed as she bashed in the changeling's head, green blood spurted and coated the rock.

She went in for ten solid swings with the rock till the changeling stopped moving. Even as green blood splattered all over the side of her face and all in her rainbow mane. She panted and fell back, dropping her rock to calm down for a moment after processing what she just did. In the heat of a moment, she had to decided on either death coming for her or the changeling, and she chose the changeling. But it still rattled her mind a bit to take a life, even when it was the only way her own could be spared.

She tried deep breaths and laid back on the stone to try and relax, but one remaining foe would not allow her to recover. For he finally managed to shrug off his bleeding mouth with missing teeth. She sighed, and quickly rolled to her hooves that were trembling, she couldn't even hold the rock any more. So she simply dropped it as the growling changeling started to approach her. He was ready to drain her dry, suck every bit of love and life from her body for the comrades he lost.

"Looks like some pony ran out of steam… Not accustom to killing, are we?"The changeling slowly approached Rainbow, ready to do his worse to her.

"Maybe… But that's because I'm not a monster… Like YOU…!"Rainbow spat and panted as she put up her hooves to fight him with punches.

"Then perhaps the Cinders were right…! Maybe you don't have what it takes to live!"The changeling hissed and prepared to jump for Rainbow Dash's neck.

Only to suddenly feel a flesh tearing chomp snap down on his left back leg. It stopped him cold and caused the changeling to face plant, he turned around to see what snatched up his leg. It was embarrassing to see that it was in fact the tortoise, who snapped his iron jaws down on his legs. His jaws were strong an sharp, much like a snapping turtle, to the point that it suddenly chomped off a full chunk of his flesh and arteries. He screamed, for his leg was gushing green blood, but his screams would soon be silenced.

As a badly wounded Stormy made a big leap of faith with a small rock of his own. He war cried and brought the rock down with authority, smashing the changeling's head in with one vicious slam. His head splattered like a bug, coating the tortoise and the rabbit in his green blood. The changeling was dead before the first moment of being struck down by the bunny. Leaving Stormy panting and registering the pain of the wounds and bite marks all over his body.

He threw the rock away and glared at the dead changeling before looking around to all the others. Every last one of the changelings had met a cruel fate that he felt was everything they deserved. He tried to catch his breath to relax, while Rainbow Dash felt tears stinging her eyes.

"That was… Way beyond… AWESOME! You two were beyond amazing,"Rainbow exclaimed as she ran to the tortoise and rabbit, while the tortoise walked as fast as he could to her,"I never thought a pet could be such an amazing thing! And to think I was seeing pets like they were below me!"

The tortoise was the first pet she took up into her hooves upon her approached. She hugged it and snuggled it, giving into the much more needed affection that the pet should have received Her gratitude and new found respect was pouring out as she embraced the tortoise for his bravery and selflessness.

"You… I treated you like you didn't have a chance of having an owner… And yet... You took it like a tank and still came to my rescue,"Rainbow Dash admitted as she smiled and nuzzled the friendly and selfless tortoise,"Maybe… I didn't need a super cool pet… Maybe… You just needed a super cool owner… To take care of you like you were willing to take care of me…"

Hearing those words from the Pegasus was sweet as sugar to Stormy's long ears. He wanted to nod and walk to the Pegasus to give her a congratulations for learning an important lesson. But that was before his legs grew weak and much blood had flowed from the wounds in his body.

"And I bet you're about to tell me off and say that Typhoon was right, I should have waited,"Rainbow chuckled and looked to the rabbit, only to notice him falling forward,"Are you alright…? Stormy?!"

Stormy could not answer, not because he didn't speak her language, but because he felt too weak. His vision pulsed and grew blurry to the point that everything went dark all around him. As he slowly fell forward and slammed face first against the ground, where he now laid motionless.

"STORMY!"Rainbow quickly ran to the injured rabbit while the tortoise walked as fast as he could to him.

She scooped up the rabbit and held him in her hooves, looking to puncture wounds all over the bunny's body. As well as the bruises and cuts all over his cheeks and forehead. He wasn't moving, and the wounds were slowly starting to cease the bleeding, but so much blood was already lost. He put her head to his chest, listening in, and getting a heart beat that was starting to fade. Her breath shuddered, a cold touch plagued her heart as she also felt his breathing turning labored.

She started to pant, all this meant that Stormy's life was dwindling and leaving his body. She needed to do something fast, even after all the issues they had between each other. He was willing to risk his life to save her, much like the brave tortoise, she could not fail him now.

"I gotta do something… Hey…Tanky tortoise, hold him for a minute,"Rainbow Dash laid the rabbit on the tortoise's shell where he would be safe as she took to the skies quickly,"I need to… I need to find water…! And the big green point leaves…! And a carrot!"

With her list of required things she was after, she flew off as fast as she could. In a flash she swooped around a dense jungle like area of the forest, till she spotted green leaf trees that had at least eight sides on them. She blasted her way out of the forest as fast as she came and went straight for the nearest garden. Where she was able to snatch up a carrot for required sustenance. Finally, she flew off high into the sky and grazed through endless clouds, looking for a thick storm cloud.

It took her a minute to fly around the sea of clouds, but she had then found one. The perfect small but dark gray cloud filled with water, she was quick to hold it with her hooves. While the carrot and several leaves were in her mouth, she was now ready to make a trip back to the gorge. Only to turn around and ram her muzzle into the last stallion she wanted to run into at this time. Typhoon, the stallion who now had a pet dying from Rainbow's recklessness, she was in a profuse sweat.

"What do you think you're doing? What is all that stuff for,"Typhoon questioned as the clouds started to separate from the sky around them,"Are you going to answer? Or are you still being angry and hissy for being told off?"

"No…! I need to go…! He needs me!"Rainbow did not wish to waste any time and blew right by Typhoon to get back to the gorge.

"Who needs you?! What happened?!"Typhoon exclaimed and needed to follow after hearing so much fear in her voice.

And so they both flew back to Ghastly Gorge as quickly as they could, Rainbow was first to return. And she wasted no time running to the tortoise and picking the rabbit back up in her hooves. As she tapped at the storm cloud to get water flowing from it, that's when Typhoon landed. He was about to approach her, only to step on the first body of a changeling, the first of many. He took his hoof off the changeling and glared, as he looked round to see green blooded bug bodies every where.

"Changelings…! What are these foul bug eyed abominations doing out here,"Typhoon asked himself as he looked back to Rainbow Dash who he could now see holding Stormy,"What happened here?"

Rainbow did not answer, for she was busy using the cloud's water to wash off the blood. She needed to clean the rabbits wounds nice and thoroughly as was shown by Fluttershy. She gave the tortoise the carrot to hold, and he was permitted to take a piece for the help he gave. While Rainbow wasted no time chewing on the green leaves till they were mush and covered in their own dews. Finally she manage to clean the rabbit off with the cold water and finish chewing up the leaves.

She cradled the rabbit in her forearm so she could spit out the chewed leaves. Letting them pile up in her hooves while comforting the rabbit, getting him ready for what she needed to do next. She slowly then began to push pieces of the green leaves into the rabbit's wounds, thankfully he didn't move.

"Explain…! What's going on? What happened here…?!"Typhoon demanded as he walked in front of her as she applied leaves to all of Stormy's wounds.

"Just give me a minute…!"She replied as she sweated and tried not to panic while filling the rabbits wounds in.

Once the wounds were covered, there was only one more thing she could do for him. Offer a drink to the small rabbit in the form of fresh cloud water that she squeezed right into his mouth. She even tried to help the rabbit swallow, while Typhoon stood there in complete shock. Wether it was from seeing how hurt his pet was or if it was the lengths Rainbow was now going to for a chance to save Stormy. He fell on his flank, and watched as Rainbow got water in Stormy, but he still wasn't moving.

"Stormy…? Come on little buddy. It's over, we won the fight…! You were great,"Rainbow tried some encouraging words while taking up the carrot from her tortoise friend,"Come on… Just… A little food and water… And you'll feel better…!"

"Rainbow…"Typhoon wanted to stop her, but she was still stubborn, and did not wish to except what appeared to be inevitable.

"Come on…! You can pull through this…! You're the toughest rabbit I've ever seen,"Rainbow begged and tried to get him to eat, but his body refused to move an inch,"Stormy…? Please… This can't be how it ends…"

Typhoon looked down to his bunny friend, and slowly began nuzzling Stormy's head. While Rainbow Dash was starting to tear up once more, seeing an owner nuzzle his dying pet was too much. She tried to resist, but her heart was not a stone, even she was not able to handle grief.

"Stormy… No… Please… Not like this… This isn't how…a pets life should end,"Rainbow sniffled and felt the tears burst from her eyes as she felt his life slipping away,"Stormy you can't die like this!"

Her yells of grief were met with a break down of tears and sobs that poured straight out from her heart. The tortoise bowed his head for the noble gray hare that gave up it's life for Rainbow. While Typhoon rubbed his cheek against his fallen pets head, letting a tears stream silently down his cheeks. Rainbow let her tears drip upon the rabbits chest fur as she wept for him. The role of a pet was hitting her hard as well, it impacted on her deeply on the importance of a pet.

She truly felt like a failure, she thought only of herself, and it finally got something killed. She shook her head, not wanting to believe or realize that she was not ready for a pet. Not if this is what her leadership lead to, all she could do now is cry for the brave gray rabbit. While Typhoon remained silent and let his tears stream for the beloved pet, and yet… He held no anger. Not towards Rainbow Dash at least, for she had now proven that she truly knew the weight of pet responsibility.

"Stormy… You were… More than just a pet… You were a brave friend…"He whispered and continued nuzzling the rabbit even more so, as he listened to what felt like the last few breaths of Stormy.

However, that was before something had then began to happen for the rabbit. His eyes opened, and he could see a larger female bunny standing before him in golden graceful light. His eyes were half closed as she spoke sweet words to him, words of his maturity and responsibility to the other animals, as well as his owner. She spoke of the pride and never ending happiness she felt for having him as a son. And now that it has come to this… His time had not yet come to join her.

So she floated to him, as they stood in a very dark world, the line between life and death. Before she then touched the rabbit's button nose with her golden paw, a great gold light then took over. I illuminating the entire world around him, and his very body he began to feel once more. His eyes then opened again, but this time they opened for real, and took in the sight of Ghastly Gorge. But what caught his eyes from his first experience with death, was the drippings of tears over his chest.

He looked to the green leaf patches in the wounds he remembered getting from the changelings. He touched them and lightly flinched, before he looked up to the source of the tears. There he could see Rainbow Dash crying over him, as she held him close to her chest. While Typhoon was slowly nuzzling his cheek, it shocked the rabbit seeing Typhoon grieving as well for what happened. Slowly the rabbit began to take deep breaths, taking in sweet life into his lungs as he tried to pull at her mane.

After a couple tugs, Rainbow slowly stopped and began to lift her head up to the rabbit. Only to see his small face looking at her in deep pity, and perhaps a touch of new found respect. Her teary eyes opened as she witnessed this miracle, some how the bunny had pulled through a brush with death. And he was even able to give her some pity pats to the head for helping him pull through. She had no words to express the joy that was rising from within as she held him up and gasped very slowly.

"Took you long enough to learn a lesson… You cocky and brave Pegasus"

"Stormy…! Stormy!"Rainbow Dash cried and hugged the little rabbit while Typhoon became enticed and overwhelmed with joy and surprise.

"My goodness…! It's a miracle…!"Typhoon manage to work out some words as Rainbow Dash snuggled the rabbit with joy.

"Thank you… Thank you… For everything you did for me,"Rainbow poured out gratitude as Stormy sighed and slowly hugged her head to comfort,"I'm so sorry for the things I said…! I was wrong… You… And this tortoise… And all animals have more than deserved my complete respect…! You two aren't below me…!"

Typhoon got another surprise, hearing Rainbow finally admit that she was in the wrong. It was the most incredible thing he had ever heard in quite some time, as she hugged the tortoise along with Stormy. He took a deep breath in, dried his eyes, and began to smile at the blooming maturity of Rainbow Dash.

"You two… Are my friends… And I need to start treating you two like my friends… Not accessories,"Rainbow Dash sighed and let the tears finish flowing, new found relief came to her heart,"You two were the bravest pets I've ever seen… You were just like your warrior owner, and you…"

Rainbow paid her new found respect to the rabbit as she looked to the wind master. Before she then gave Stormy back to his owner, where he could relax and be in safer hooves. While she then turned to the tortoise that slowly flashed a friendly and warm welcoming smile to her.

"You were like a Tank…! Nothing could stop you…! There was… More to you than I wanted to believe,"Rainbow gave the tortoise another hug while the warrior sighed happily,"I'm gonna do everything I can to be ready… Because I know the pet that I need now, not the one I want…"

"It seems you have finally learned your lesson… And just when I was starting to lose hope in you,"Typhoon suddenly spoke as he petted Stormy's head and professed his own new found respect,"You've learned what it means to properly care for a pet as an owner… You even saved another's pet…"

"It was my fault… I needed to make things right after all the things I was doing… After… All the things I was doing to the animals,"Rainbow explained the guilt that had been building up since their fight,"I'm sorry… I should of respected your words...and waited till I was ready."

"Indeed… And as of today… You have at last proven that you're ready,"Typhoon had then stopped her heart with the sudden decision that she was ready for a pet,"Tell me… What kind of pet do you think that you can feel satisfied with having?"

"I…I thought…"Rainbow couldn't believe that the stallion was actually choosing to let her have a pet.

"Go on… Pick the little friend that you believe will be your furry friend for a long time…!"Typhoon encouraged, as he spotted the rest of the mares arriving to the gorge's edge.

"I pick… This little guy… Not exactly furry… But he's everything I could ever need in a pet."Rainbow Dash turned to the tortoise once more and picked him up to show Typhoon her choice,"He saved me… And now I need to prove myself to him… By being a good owner for him…!"

"Then… You may have him. Remember to take good care of him. As he will take good care of you."Typhoon allowed Rainbow Dash to keep the tortoise as her new and wonderful pet.

"Really? Thank you…! Thank you! Thank you so much…!"Rainbow Dash worked off what sappy emotion she had left in her by hugging Typhoon and kissing his cheek.

"Yeah, yeah… Easy there, Ms not sappy…!"Typhoon pushed her off just in time for the mares to call to them from the ledge.

"Hey! Are you four ok down there?!"Twilight called out while Fluttershy flew down the gorge to help them.

"We're ok! Several changelings down here, but nothing too serious,"Typhoon called out and looked to Stormy as Fluttershy approached them to assist the group with getting out of the gorge,"You did incredibly well, Stormy… We're going to get you some proper medical care…and a carrot cake for this."

Stormy gave him a thumbs up and slowly breathed out as they were all helped out of the gorge. As they went home, Rainbow Dash and Stormy were both able to explain what happened. Fluttershy was able to speak for Stormy as they spoke of the fighting between Rainbow and Stormy. Only to then speak about the changelings that attacked them and mentioning the Cinders before the struggle. This as something they needed to bring up to the other warriors, but foe now, they needed some peace and quiet.

There was no better place for them to be at peace than back at the park with their pets. After Stormy and Rainbow got all patched up from their nasty fight with the changelings. Every pony was now able to play and relax with their pets at the park, this time around it was pleasant. As Typhoon and Stormy laid against the tree once more, resting nice and soundly. Stormy even got to enjoy some carrot cake while his arms, his tummy, and forehead were all wrapped up in gauze.

He only ate half of his cake before Angel the white bunny hopped over to try and sweet talk Stormy into sharing some cake. Thankfully Stormy decided to just let the white rabbit go this time. He loaned the rabbit the rest of his cake, and Angel was more than elated with excitement. He took the cake in kind and rushed off to enjoy some left over carrot cake, allowing Stormy to relax. As he looked to the sky, knowing that not only did he get a second chance, but he got to see his mother.

It was then that Typhoon lifted up one eye and looked down to the gray rabbit. He slowly started to pet Stormy, feeling only a stronger sense of pride for the nobility of his furry friend. Just in time for Rainbow Dash to hover down to them and land right in front of the two friends.

"Hey… Is there a spot for me? There's something I gotta do."Rainbow Dash asked for a spot next to them, just as Spike was returning with a quill pen and paper.

"I got the pen and paper! You ready for that lesson, Rainbow Dash?"Spike asked as Typhoon assessed what Rainbow had in mind, she took a seat right next to them.

"I sure am…! Take a letter, Spike!"Rainbow responded while the dragon sat down to listen to her friendship lesson.

Dear Princess Celestia

I used to think that the most important traits to look for in a pet, or any best friend, were all physical competitive abilities. But now I can see how short sighted and shallow that was.

"And you learned one brutal lesson for it didn't you?"Typhoon chuckled at Rainbow's bandages that covered her head while she wore a diaper caste thanks to Stormy's rock assault on her grundle.

Today I learned what the most important quality really is. A certain kind of spirit. A stick to it ive-ness.A never give up, can do attitude. That's the mark of a real winner. And this tortoise has it.

"And right now, I will continue to show that tortoise that I can be everything he needs in an owner,"Rainbow admitted the extra piece to her lesson as the tortoise arrived to her side with a little something attached to him,"Looking good there, Tank. You're flying like a champion."

She was of course talking about a gadget that was made just for the tortoise, so he could fly with her. Typhoon approved of the tortoise wearing the strange propeller machine along with a pilot hat and goggles. For it meant that Rainbow decided that Tank deserved to fly with her through the skies. Exploring her world and experiencing the thrill of flight just like she got her thrills from it. He flew to her side and nuzzled her cheek gently,making sure he didn't hurt her damaged head.

"Don't worry… I'll join you in a minute buddy. Just need to rest my wings for a moment,"Rainbow let the tortoise fly away and play around the tree top while she decided to ask about her attackers,"So… Those bug like pony freaks… Those were changelings, huh?"

"Yes… Orion is not going to like hearing that those things are in Equestria,"Typhoon nodded and recalled the bad past that the changelings had with the warriors, especially Orion,"You were very lucky… They would drain you dry of love and leave you to rot in that gorge…!"

"That bad huh…? Do I even want to know what they did to peeve you guys off?"Rainbow asked while watching Tank float around and travel towards the pond.

"Same old stuff that they tried with you, except they did it to numerous friends and animals,"Typhoon admitted while his stomach churned the moment he thought of Orion's vendetta against the changelings,"You don't wanna know why Orion hates them. I'd rather you hold down your lunch…"

"That's duly noted… You two want to play with the rest of us and our pets?"Rainbow decided to fly for a bit and play with her new pet tortoise.

"Nah, Stormy needs to get plenty of rest, and not move around too much,"Typhoon insisted before Rainbow saluted him and flew off towards Tank,"Brick headed…. But at least she finally learned some humility and responsibility for a change… Maybe she's not all that hopeless."

Stormy shrugged and decided to pull a little something out that he carved just last night. It was simply a wood carving of the rabbit he saw in his moment of walking between life and death. Now he had a means of always remembering her, as he then fell asleep against Typhoon's chest.

"Tired little rabbit… Been through a lot today, huh? Saving stubborn mares and fighting changelings,"Typhoon chuckled before a grim thought struck his mind,"Changelings… If what they spoke of was true… I would hate to think of them working with the Cinders."

Alright, first off, I know you the readers don't like how harsh I was with Rainbow Dash. But it's important that one learns what it truly means to own a pet, a pet is a special friend you'll have for a great bit of your life. And they shouldn't have to perform like circus monkeys just to get adopted or chosen as pets. That being said, she is a character I enjoy all the same as I do with all the others. Any who, I'm excited to bring you all more of this story, and I hope you will all enjoy a lot more of it in the future. Stay pony every one. And feel free to give your closest pet a hug ;)