Issue 2:
After finding out about the unusual danger storm that has suddenly appeared in Zephyr Heights, Zipp had to think fast as she and her friends scrambled around to try and control the chaos that was happening around as snow continued to pile on the Pegasus Kingdom as Zipp was on the broadcast screens.
"Again, this is a message to everypony in Zephyr Heights from acting Queen Zephyrina. Due to the extreme strength and unpredictability of this storm, we are evacuating Zephyr Heights immediately." Zipp spoke up to everypony in Zephyr Heights to spread the word of the evacuation attempt. "Palace guards and my friends are working right now to clear the way so you can get out as quickly as possible. Please stay calm and look out for your fellow pegasi in this dangerous time."
"Come on, honey!" A pegasus mother said to her filly flying behind her as they flew past the broadcast Zipp was on.
"I'm coming, mommy!" The filly said as she tried to fight against the storm. "It's just that the so-" She was then hit by a strong wind that was pushing her to the broadcast screen. "MOMMYYY!" She cried out.
"Sweetie!" The mother cried out as she tried to save her daughter, but the wind kept her away. "Sompony help us!" She cried out.
Just then, Sunny flew in while in her Alicorn form and caught the daughter before she hit the screen. "Gotcha!" She called with a smile as she flew down to ground level as Sunset and Twilight came in and flew down.
"Got another." Sunset said while carrying a foal.
"I got four." Twilight said as she levitated some foals with her magic as Pipp flew in with two Pegasi.
"Great job, girls!" Pipp said to the three Alicorns with a smile as she turned to the two foals she was holding. "You two okay?"
"Wow, I can't believe we got saved by the Princess Pipp Petals." The colt that Pipp was carrying said in amazement with sparkles in his eyes as Pipp placed the two foals down.
"Okay, you two, follow the evacuation route and stay on the ground, okay?" Pipp instructed them. "The wind is really strong, even for an experienced flyer like me." She stated.
"Oh, thank you so much, Sunny!" The mother said as her daughter was up to her. "I thought I'd lost her!"
"I've crashed while flying before, Mom! I would have been fine." The filly assured her with a smile.
"Yeah, I don't think it's the same thing from what could've happened." Sunset said with a cringed as Twilight nodded in agreement.
"We're sure you're a great flier, but with the wind like this, we need you all to stay on the ground and follow those signs." Sunny instructed while gesturing to the arrow sign behind them that is pointing to the direction. "Our friends, Izzy, and Misty, are clearing the way out so everypony can evacuate."
"So for now, stay close and stay on ground level and follow the path. No flying." Twilight added as the two Pegasi nodded.
Sunset then turns to Pipp. "Pipp, do you think that's everypony here?" She asked.
"Just about." Pipp nodded. "I hope Hitch is having as much luck."
"Knowing Hitch, I think he got that part covered." Sunny assured with a smile, knowing her coltfriend got things covered.
In the middle of the palace garden, Hitch was standing on a fountain as he looked at the critters gathered around as he looked at them. "I want everyone holding two paws. We're gonna form a chain so we make sure we all get there. The storm is bad, but we've been through worse and we're gonna get out of this together, you guys!" He announced as the critters listened to him. "Now, if you lose contact with the creature behind you, you let the rest of the line know and we'll stop and find them." He instructed. "Are you ready?!" He called out.
The critters looked at each other and nodded. After a few minutes, they formed a line while one of the birds held Hitch's tail while the rest held each other in a line as Hitch led. "You're doing great! I see the unicorn signs up ahead!" He called out to them. "Just stick together and we're gonna be out of here in no time!"
As he kept leading, Zipp flew over Hitch. "Hitch, how's it going? You need any help?" She asked.
"We got this, Zipp." Hitch assured her. "Just as long as Misty and Izzy have the route cleared."
"Great! I'll go check on them!" Zipp called out as she flew ahead as Hitch covered his face from Zipp's whoosh and the strong way.
Zipp then flew towards where Izzy and Misty were as she saw Izzy placing the signs down as Zipp noticed the Pegasi were still here. "Uh-oh, this doesn't look good. These pegasi should already be out of here." Zipp said to herself in worry as she landed in front of Izzy. "Hey, Izzy, is everything okay? Why are all these pegasi still here?"
"Misty is trying to get through, but she says the storm won't let her." Izzy explained to her.
"Won't let her?" Zipp asked in confusion. "Okay, I got this." She said as she then flew off. "Excuse me! Look out! Queen coming through!" She called out as she flew past the ponies. "Everypony stay calm. We're gonna figure this out."
"Look out!" Misty called out as Zipp saw her tumbling towards her.
"Misty?" Zipp asked before Misty crashed into her as Misty was on top of her after skidding on the snowy floor. "Misty, what's going on? Why can't you get through?" She asked while rubbing her head from the crash.
"Okay, just hold on." Misty said to her. "I'm gonna get it this time! I promise!" She declared as she stood up and focused her magic, making snow prowls on them that blocked the wind and snow.
"Misty?! What are you-" Zipp tried to ask in surprise.
"It's okay. I got it, Zipp!" Misty called out as she kept blocking. "I can get the-" She was cut off when a strong wind flew in and hoisted Misty away, sending her flying. "Aaaahhh!" She screamed.
"Misty!" Zipp cried out as she flew up to her and quickly caught her. "Ooph!" She grunted after catching Misty.
"Oh, thank goodness." Misty said in relief. "I thought I was gonna crack my horn!" She added as Zipp placed her down on the ground.
"What happened?" Zipp asked the unicorn.
"Okay, please don't be mad at me, but I think this storm is magical." Misty said to her. "There's like, this wall of wind that nopony can get through right at the edge." She explained.
"Nopony, huh?" Zipp asked with a smirk as she was about to fly off, but she saw Izzy and the other pegasi freeing from the cold. "No… wait. What would a good queen do? What would mom do?" She asked herself before she had an idea. "Okay, Misty and Izzy, new plan. These ponies can't get through the storm wall, and they're the most important thing." She stated as she rubbed her chin. "We can't just send them back to their homes, it's too dangerous out here."
"What about the castle?" Misty suggested. "It's big, and it has all those giant fireplaces."
Zipp smiled at the idea. "Great idea, Misty!" She said while placing a hoof on Misty's back.
"Really?!" Misty asked with a smile.
"Yes!" Zipp nodded with a smile. "Let's use those signs to get everybody back to the castle instead. We can keep them warm and safe for now." She added.
"You got it, your highness!" Misty said with a smile as she and Izzy then started redirecting the signs to where the palace is.
Zipp then turn to the pegasi. "Everpony, follow those unicorns!" She called before she then took to the air and flew off. "I gotta let Pipp, Twilight, Sunny and Sunset know!" She added.
But as she fly, she stopped when she saw the four said ponies in front of her with the Pegasi behind them. "Zipp, where'd the evacuation sign go?! I don't see it anymore!" Pipp asked in worry.
"We got Pegasi to get out of the city and in need of shelter!" Sunset stated.
"The storm is getting stronger!" Twilight added.
"Are Izzy and Misty okay? What's going on?" Sunny asked in worry.
"Everypony is okay, but we can't get out. The storm wall is too strong." Zipp explained to them.
"That's an issue." Sunset said in worry.
"Then what do we do?" Pipp asked. "We told these ponies we could get them to safety."
"We're evacuating everyone to the castle instead." Zipp said to them. "You guys lead the group there and stay. I'll meet you there." She instructed.
"Sounds like a great idea." Twilight nodded in approval.
"But what about the Pegasi who are still in danger out there?" Pipp asked in concern.
"Yeah, Zipp. There are still Pegasi who are in need of rescuing." Sunset added, knowing that there are still ponies out there in need of saving from the storm.
"Don't worry, girls." Zipp said with a determined smirk. "I got this." She added as she flew off.
"I hope Zipp knows what she's doing." Sunset said in concern.
"You and me both, Sunset." Pipp added.
Zipp then flew around all over Zephyr Heights as she blocked some falling heavy snows from foals, she picked up a foal from underneath a bridge, she cleared the snow away for the pegasi from a building to get out, and she went to a couple of ponies who are taking cover.
"Take my hoof!" Zipp called out to them as they nodded as she then guided the pegasi she saved behind her. "Follow me!" She called out as she spent time saving as many pegasi as she could while fighting against the storm.
Zipp was then about to go forward, but then she saw a big pile of snow about to bury her while she was distracted, but then a blue blur rushed to her. "Look out!" It said in a male voice as the blur tackled Zipp away from the pile as they tumbled to the ground. "Are you alright, Princess?" He asked as Zipp looked up and saw it was none other than Cloud Breaker.
"Cloud?" Zipp asked in surprise as she gave a chuckle. "I am fine. But surprising seeing you here."
"Yeah, well, I was about to join the other Pegasi in the evacuation, but then I saw you flying by and was about to get buried under a pile of snow." Cloud explained as he helped Zipp up, which she accepted. "And being acting queen of Zephyr Heights might be a lot of work."
"Well, it was simple at first, but due to this storm, it's not as easy as it seems." Zipp said as the storm got stronger. "Speaking of which, we should really get to the castle. It's the only place that's safe."
"Agreed. Lead the way." Cloud nodded as he and Zipp flew off to the castle as the storm got stronger.
After a bit of flying through the storm, Zipp and Cloud made it to the castle after Zipp cleared the way for the other pegasi as the two entered the throne room as Pipp was out of breath as she took a breather. "There…" She muttered as she went to the throne and sat next to it.
"Wow. You must be really tired from all this." Cloud said with a concerned look.
"Oh, you have no idea." Zipp nodded as the rest of the Mane 8 entered the throne room.
"Oh my hoofness!" Misty said in concern.
"Sis, are you okay?" Pipp asked in concern.
"She looks exhausted." Sunny said in concern.
"And who is this?" Twilight asked as the others noticed Cloud.
"I'm okay. Just give me a second." Zipp said to them after she caught her breath as she stood up. "Everypony, this is Cloud Breaker. He's a friend I made who helped me found my bravery when I was afraid to fly after the crash."
"Hello." Cloud said with a wave.
"Oh, so you're who my sister was talking about, huh?" Pipp said with a teasing smirk.
"We heard about her, but never got to meet you." Sunset said with a smile. "I'm-"
"I know who you all are." Cloud said to them with a smile. "Aside from Zipp and Pipp since they're most noticeable in Zephyr Heights. You are the rest of their friends and heroes of Equestria. Sunset Shimmer, Sunny Starscout, Misty Brightdawn, Hitch Trailblazer, Izzy Moonbow, and the legendary Princess Twilight Sparkle. Zipp spoke highly of you ponies and for all you've done to Equestria." He said, which surprised the group.
"Whoa, somepony's been doing their homework." Hitch said with a smirk.
"Is he physic?!" Izzy asked with an exciting smile.
"He's not a Unicorn or an Alicorn, Izzy. And we already established that unicorns don't read minds." Sunset said with an amusing smile. "Only certain ones like myself." She muttered quietly since she's the only one who can read memories thanks to her geo.
"Nice to meet you, Cloud." Twilight said as she and Cloud shook hooves. "But I think we'll save the introductions later in this time of crisis."
"True enough." Cloud said with a nod.
"We need to either find a way to get everyone out of here or to get help." Zipp said to them, getting back on track with the storm that is happening right now.
"Well, everypony is safe and warm in the castle right now." Pipp said to them. "Maybe we just stay here?"
"Yeah, the storm has to end eventually, right? Sunny asked.
"I don't think it will stop anytime soon, Sunny." Sunset said to her.
"Agreed. It looks like it's gonna get stronger out there." Twilight added.
"Well, if it stays this bad, we're not gonna have heat for long. The power might go out." Hitch pointed out. "And we don't have enough wood to keep all these fireplaces burning for long."
"And sorry, but I don't think this is a normal storm." Misty spoke up as they turned to her. "It got here really fast, and then it just stopped. And when I tried to walk out, it blew me right back in."
"She's right. This storm is definitely like the time with Wishday with those snow spells, ponies. This is unusual, even by Wishday standards." Sunset said, seeing Misty's point.
"I haven't seen a storm this big during the tales of when Equestria was founded and the Windigos, but we know it's not one of those." Twilight said, knowing this isn't one of the Windigos. "There hasn't been disharmony from Maretime Bay Day from what you all told me. And it got to the point where flying or walking out of Zephyr Heights won't work if we keep getting blown back."
"We need something heavier, like a… boat for the air." Misty said in thought, which made Pipp spoke up.
"Misty, you're a genius!" Zipp said to her with a smile.
"Oh, okay…" Misty said while looking a bit surprised by what Pipp just said.
"Uh, what are you ponies talking about?" Cloud asked with a confused look.
A bit later, the ponies are brought down to the station where they first discover about the Unity Crystal on their first adventure. "I found this place back before I met you guys." Zipp explained to Misty, Hitch, Twilight, and Cloud.
"Whoa!" Misty exclaimed. "Sooooo cool!" She cheered in excitement.
"Impressive place." Cloud commented, since he hadn't seen the station down in the castle before.
"What is this?" Misty asked in wonder.
"Where are we?" Twilight asked in surprise.
"Oh, I remember!" Izzy said as she smiled at the station as she walked up to the Wonderbolt's poster. "Zipp showed Sunny, sunset and me this place after she broke us out of prison that time! It's some kind of old station pegasi used to fly out of."
"And the station that held remnants of ancient Equestria." Sunset added as she showed Twilight the Wonderbolt picture. "You remember the Wonderbolt's, Twilight?"
"Of course I do. I met them every time and Rainbow was part of it and couldn't stop talking about them." Twilight said with a smile as she looked around the station while also seeing her Cutie Mark where the two stained glass of the Unicorn and Pegasus Crystals are shown while the window outside in the middle was still bare. "And I see you ponies shape things up here as well."
"Hey, we gotta make a legacy remembered." Sunny said with a smile.
"Gotta keep history alive." Hitch added with a smile. "And impressive."
"Very impressive." Cloud added with a smile as he looked around. "And spaces."
"And not just the Pegasi." Zipp said as she led the group forward as she placed her hoof on a lever. "I think all sorts of ponies used to fly out on…" She then pulled the lever. "This!" Then lowering down was a mini airh ship, which the Mane 8 and Cloud looked in awe.
"Is that…" Sunset started as she and Twilight recognized it from their time.
"Amazing." Twilight said with a wide smile.
"Oh man, that looks cool!" Zipp said as the zeppelin lowered down in front of them. "What is it?" She asked Zipp.
"It's a bot for the air." Zipp answered with a smile as Misty looked at her with sparkles in her eyes.
"Wait, really?!" Misty asked in excitement.
"Actually, Zipp, what you have there is actually a mini airship." Twilight revealed, which surprised them.
"Wait, airship?" Cloud asked in surprise. "You mean there were vehicles that fly?"
"Yeah. We used to have these back in our time." Sunset added with a smile.
"Hey, I remember reading about them, but I have never seen one before!" Sunny said with a smile. "Is this what they look like?" She asked while gesturing to the airship.
"Similar features, but different designs." Twilight said with a smile. "And we also had hot air balloons for flight, but the airships are more roomy and spaces." She explained as she inspected the airship. "And I'm surprised this one is still in good condition after generations."
"Zipp, has this airship been hanging above us in the station this whole time?" Sunset asked Zipp with a smile.
"Yeah, it was here when I first found this place." Zipp answered with a smile. "The thing is, I never got it to work."
"From how long it's been, that's hardly a surprise." Twilight noted.
"Ummm… Zipp?" Misty spoke up as she gave an exciting smile. "Can I try?"
"That's exactly what I was hoping you'd ask." Zipp said with a smile.
"Misty, do you even know how to fix up an ancient airship?" Sunset asked with a brow.
"I had a lot of time when I was with Opaline while being cooped up in her castle." Misty explained with a smile. "Reading and studying old schematics of ancient Equestrian items were my favorite."
"And I can help her out with my creativity!" Izzy cheered while raising her hoof.
"Sounds like a plan." Zipp said with a smirk. "Sunny, Twilight, Sunset, Pipp, Cloud, follow me. I got a different mission for you."
"Oh!" Sunny said in understanding.
"Sure thing, Zipp." Cloud said as they walked off, leaving Misty, Izzy, and Hitch with the airship.
"What is it, Zipp?" Sunset asked, wanting to know what Zipp had in mind.
"I want to leave the three of them to work on the ship, but I don't even know if it will work." Zipp said with a serious tone to them. "So we're going to be working on the backup plan to save the city." She explained.
"What kind of backup plan?" Twilight asked.
"Cloud, I need you to stay here and help our friends with the airship to try and get it working and help around to guide them through the city if possible, if you want that is." Zipp said to him.
"Well, I can try to help them as best I can." Cloud said in understanding.
"What about the rest of us?" Pipp asked.
"The four of us are four of the strongest fliers in the city." Zipp stated, gesturing to herself, Pipp, Sunset, Twilight, and Sunny, "If that ship can't get through, we will need to get somepony through to get help. That's what we're gonna try to do." She explained.
"Me? One of the strongest fliers? I don't think so." Sunny said doubtfully, while she may be an Alicorn, she's not sure if she's the strongest flyer.
"I saw you out there saving ponies today, Sunny." Zipp said to her. "When ponies need you, you're better than any of those kids from my old flying school." She encouraged me.
"And not to mention that you spent a bunch of time training and you can fly so fast that you actually broke the sound barrier that one time." Sunset noted, reminding Sunny of when she did her Alicorn lessons, she actually broke the sound barrier.
"They're right. You are the strongest flyer when you're an Alicorn, Sunny." Twilight said with a smile. "Even Alicorns can be the strongest fliers after some flying lessons. Which you clearly have mastered."
Sunny gave a small smile from their words. "Well, I guess that's true." She said with a smile.
"I'm not anywhere near as good as you, big sis." Pipp said to Zipp, since she knows her sister is a better flyer than her. "But if this is what you need me to do, I'll do my best."
"Normally, I'd just do it myself, but I think it's better if we work as a team." Zipp said with a smile as she nuzzled her sister's cheeks, which made Pipp smile in response as she returned the gesture. "I think that's what a queen would do."
"Hey, you've been amazing today." Pipp said with a smile. "You're gonna be a great queen someday."
"I'll take that bet." Cloud said with a smirk. "You ponies go on with your backup plan. I'll stay and help your friends out while keeping an eye on things."
"Thanks, Cloud." Zipp said as Cloud nodded and walked off to the others.
A bit later, Twilight, Sunset, Sunny, Pipp, and Zipp were back in the palace as they equipped themselves with a snow hat and goggles while tying themselves in ropes while they were at one of the doors as Zipp turned to her friends. "The weather is really bad out there, and you can't see very far in the air." Zipp said to them. "I'm gonna tie us together so we don't lose one another.
"I'm with you, sis." Pipp said after tying herself up.
"You know I'm in." Sunset said as she tied herself next.
"It's better than being blown away." Twilight added while tying herself up next.
"Okay, we got this, right? Sunny asked in concern after tying herself up. "Don't answer that!" She quickly said. "We got this. We're gonna do great. It's gonna be fine." She said while trying to be brave.
"Sunny, it's gonna be okay." Zipp assured her. "If we can't make it through, we'll come back here and figure something else out." She said to her.
"Yeah, at first you don't succeed, try and try again." Twilight said optimistically.
"And don't worry, Sunny. We'll be with you every step of the way." Sunset said as she gave Sunny a nuzzle, which calmed her as she smiled back with a chuckle.
"Just take a deep breath, feel your wings, and…" Zipp started before she stepped out into the door with a smirk. "...try to keep up!" She called as she flew off at high speed, which she dragged the others along as they yelped in surprise by what Zipp just pulled.
"This is way too fast!" Sunny screamed in worry.
"Whoa, a little warning next time, Zipp!" Sunset called out.
"Zipp, where are you going?!" Pipp called out to her sister. "I thought we were going the other way! Are you just enjoying dragging us around?!" She questioned.
"We are going the other way!" Zipp called out to them. "I just wanted to make sure we had plenty of room to speed up! Let's gooooo!" She called out as she flew ahead, which made the other three fliers scream as they were being dragged along at high speed.
"Okay, she seriously got Rainbow's attitude for speed!" Twilight called out. "Is she really related to her?!"
"I ask myself that many times but it does have a proof!" Sunset called out as they kept being drag along.
"Com on!" Zipp called out before a big wind bushed her back, which caused the others to yelp after they were pulled along with her before they were left dangling while Zipp kept flying. "Shoot! Let's try the otherside." She said to them.
"Okay, just-" Pipp tried to say before Zipp flew ahead, which she pulled the others as they gave startled screams again as another wind hit them as they were blown back before they fell to the snowy floor as they tried to regain their bearings.
"We have to try again! We can do this!" Zipp called out.
"Zipp, wait!" Pipp called out.
"Will you stop for one second please!" Sunset exclaimed, which startled Zipp from the outburst.
"You flew off without even giving us a second to react together." Twilight said with a frown.
"And we're not even close. There's no way." Pipp added while gesturing to Sunny, who was looking dizzy. "Look at poor Sunny! You're going to break her!"
"Seriously, she was already worried before, but you're gonna traumatize her if you keep flying off out of nowhere without even giving us the heads up." Sunset added with a firm look while she comforted Sunny as she held her. "Not to mention, we weren't ready for flight yet."
"We have to do this!" Zipp stubbornly said to them. "Mom left the kingdom in my hooves. I can't… I can't fail!" She said with a frown, which made them look at her in concern as she realized how stressed she is while in charge in Haven's place as Pipp walked up to her sister and gave her a hug.
"I understand. It's a big deal. And I'll do whatever you need me to do." Pipp said to her sister comfortably. "But right now, you're just running into a wall. We have to come up with something else."
"Yeah, Zipp. Being a ruler is more than just taking one route, you need to know that there are other routes you can use to find a solution." Twilight said, having experienced this kind of thing before."
"And you just need to find a new angel instead of just one, Zipp." Sunset added with a small smile.
Zipp thought for a moment before she sighs. "You're all right. Gotta come up with something else." She said as she rubbed her chin while trying to find another way before she looked up at the clouds above them. "Hmmmm… up?" She thought for a moment before she had an idea.
After a couple of minutes for Sunny to recover, the four fliers flew up as Zipp took the lead. "Wait, explain to me what we're doing again!" Sunny called out to them, wanting to know what the plan was.
"We're just fine flying through the wind in the city, but when we get outside3, it's like we're hitting some kind of wall of wind." Zipp said to them as they listened. "We know that wall of wind goes all the way around. What we don't know is if it goes over the city." She stated, which they got what she was saying.
"Oooh! So we fly straight up and come out the top of the storm. That's smart!" Pipp called out with a smile.
"An excellent plan, Zipp!" Twilight said with a smile. "If we get above the storm clouds, we could fight off the wind and break free!"
"Which will give us the chance to go get help!" Sunset added.
"I just need you guys to hang in there as long as you can!" Zipp said to them with a concerned look. "I don't know if I can carry you up!"
"We've got you!" Sunny called out with a smile.
"With you all the way!" Pipp added
"You know we're always with you!" Sunset said with a smile.
"Together, we can push through!" Twilight added with a smile.
"Then let's go!" Zipp called out with a determined look as she flew up with Sunny, Sunset, Pipp, and Twilight flew after her to pick up speed.
As they flew up higher, they were passing through the storm as Zipp kept pushing on with the others following, but then a lightning strike, which startled Sunny as hail began to fall on her. "Ah! Ice balls!" Sunny called out as she got hit in the head a couple of times, which caused her to lose her flight as she was pulled down.
"Sunny!" Sunset called out as she got distracted and was pulled down as well, tugging the rope down as well.
Pipp saw them before the hail began to freeze up her wing. "My wings are freezing! The air is too cold here!" She cried out as she was pulled down as well due to her wings freezing up.
Twilight grunted from the weight as she held onto the rope as she struggled to keep them up as she looked up at Zipp. "Zipp! The others are lagging! I don't know if we can keep up much longer!" She called out as she struggled to keep flight and holding the rope.
"Just a little bit father!" Zipp grunted as she flew as strong as she could from her friends' weight. "Gotta save everypony!" She added as her Cutie Mark then glowed, which gave her the speed and strength she needed as she flew up high as she managed to break through the clouds. "Yes!" She cheered.
Zipp then suddenly landed on a platform, which surprised her as her friends lay back and took relief breaths as they managed to get out of the storm. "Phew, we made it." Sunset said in relief.
"Haven't flown through a storm that bad since my fight with the Storm King." Twilight panted while wiping a brow.
"Whoa! Where are we?" Zipp asked in amazement.
"What do you mea-" Sunset tried to ask before she gasped as her eyes widened in shock at what she was seeing.
"What's wrong?" Sunny asked as she, Pipp and Twilight looked at the two in confusion before they looked ahead and gasped in shock at what they were seeing. "Sweet Celestia!"
"No way." Pipp muttered.
"I-It can't be." Twilight muttered in shock.
"It is, Twilight. It really is." Sunset said in amazement while having a smile form on her face, which Twilight followed along.
"You two know this place?" Zipp asked in wonder while she can't keep her eyes off of what she's seeing.
"Oh, we know it very well, Zipp." Sunset said with a smile.
"We thought it was lost forever." Twilight added as she and Sunset stepped forward with their friends following.
"It-It-It-It-It…" Pipp muttered while raising her hoof shakingly it.
"It's Cloudsdale!" Both Sunset and Twilight exclaimed in huge joy, what the ponies are seeing was none other than Cloudsdale, the ancient Pegasus city from ancient Equestria, surprisingly still in complete condition and still the same Cloudsdale that Twilight and Sunset remembered as it remained untouched by the passage of time as the sun shines bright in the ancient pegasus city.
A bit later, the storm in Zephyr Heights got worse as the snow and ice began to pile over the city as the whole place looked deserted as a cloaked figure walked to a hanger. "Zephyr Heights, the capital city of the modern Pegasi. Usually, these streets would be abuzz with multi-tiered activity, as hooves galloped through the streets and wings carried the pegasi through the air." The figure said in a familiar voice as he narrates the outcome. "But today, no pony dares set hoof in the streets. Each and everyone is covered in feet of snow. Gusts of wind whistle between abandoned high-rises, so strong and so sharp they could turn back a dragon."
"Acting Queen Zephyrina Storm has ordered all citizens to seek shelter at the castle, where they can conserve resources and keep everyone warm and dry." The figure continues. "It has been hours since the storm started, but it shows no sign of movement. No Pegasi have been able to leave the city though the impenetrable storm wall. There's only one pony who dares defy the weather. Wrapped head to hoof in warmest vestments that could be found. For this pony carries a heavy load. In these saddlebags rest the future of all Zephyr Heights."
The figure then walked up to the hanger, specifically hanger 4, and knocked on the door. "And the future has reached its final destination." Then opening the door were a group of ponies inside as an Earth Pony mare took the saddle bag as the figure removed his scarf and hoodie, revealing to be Hitch. "Did you get it?" He asked the ponies.
"Sorry, what?" the Earth Pony mare asked in confusion.
"Uh, never mind." Hitch waved off, since he knew they didn't hear what he said on his way here. "How are things going? Any word from Zipp, Pipp, Twilight, Sunset or Sunny?" He asked an Earth Pony stallion.
"Nothing yet, sir." The stallion answered.
"Well, hopefully no news is good news. I'm gonna-" Hitch tried to say.
"Hitch!" Izzy called out with her hoof raised with some other ponies with her as Hitch turned to them while they were going through his saddle bag as Izzy took out a Manedryer. "You got them!" She cheered.
"Yep, 27 mane blow-dryers just like you asked." Hitch nodded to her. "What are they for?" He wondered.
"Oh, they're a very important part of the plan." Izzy said with a smile before she gave a yell and smashed the manedryer to pieces, shocking Hitch.
"Then why are you smashing them?" Hitch questioned uneasy.
Izzy then picks up a heat coil. "Heating elements! We need a lot of hot air." She answered. "Don't worry, I'll recycle the rest into a sculpture later."
"Okay, but where are you putting the heating elements?" Hitch asked.
"Oh, I don't know. I'm just the unicycler. You'll have to ask the engineer." Izzy said naturally as she levitated the part up to the airship above them that was being repaired. "OH, ENGINEER!" She screamed before she smiled calmly." Hitch got your parts."
Misty then pokes her head out with a welding mask and some gloves on. "Excellent! These are exactly what I need!" She called out with a smile as Izzy gave her a part. "Now get me the other 26! We're about to defy the laws of physics!" She cheered as Cloud came in with a wrench while covered in grease.
"Yeah, because soon she'll fly and maybe get through this storm." Cloud said with a smile before he then raised a brow as he saw Izzy walking past them with a toolbox as he noticed Izzy next to Hitch, which made him look between the two as he was thrown in a loop as he turned to Misty. "Uh, Misty, why are there two Izzy's?"
"What do you mean, Cloud?" Misty asked in confusion.
"There is a second Iz-" Cloud tried to ask before he noticed the second Izzy was gone, which confused him even more. "But how did… I mean, is that even… who was…" He stammered while giving a shocked look by what just happened.
"I think you might be seeing things, Cloud." Misty said with a small smile as she went back to work as Cloud stood there with a weirded out look.
"These ponies are weirder than I thought." Cloud muttered to himself as he shook his head while forgetting what he just saw.
Above the clouds, Sunny, Sunset, Twilight, Zipp, and Pipp were walking around Cloudsdale, as they were amazed that they were actually standing on Cloudsdale while Sunset and Twilight were looking around in joy that they actually found Cloudsdale and it was still the same as they walked close to Fluttershy's old parent's house close by, which Twilight recognized.
"We're defying the laws of physics right now! It doesn't make any sense!" Zipp called out in amazement.
"A city in the clouds… we're… we're really here?" Pipp stammered as she had a hard time processing it.
"I knew it! I knew it had to be real!" Sunny said with a wide smile as she picked up a piece of cloud as she turned to Twilight and Sunset. "Twilight, Sunset, is this really Cloudsdale?!"
"It most certainly is, Sunny!" Sunset said with a wide smile. "We're actually standing on Cloudsdale soil! We finally found Cloudsdale!"
"And everything here is still the same Cloudsdale I remember!" Twilight added as she flew around and saw the stadium ahead. "Look, there's the Cloudsdale's Cloudeseum! That's where Rainbow Dash performed her Sonic Rainboom to save the Wonderbolts and Rarity from falling!" She added before she saw Fluttershy's old house. "And that's Fluttershy's parents' old house! She took me here to meet her parents, and it's still here, everything in Cloudsdale is still the same as I remember!" She cheered in excitement, feeling happy to see that Cloudsdale remained the same as she remembered.
"Heh, glad to see some things haven't changed." Sunset said with a smile, having the same feeling as Twilight as she took a sniff of air. "Ah, gotta love the old Equestrian air in a familiar place. I've missed this."
"I'm glad you two are happy to see this." Sunny said with a smile, seeing that her two idols are happy to be standing in another familiar place from their time unlike how Sunset did with Canterlot before she gave a brow as she looked around. "It's abandoned. It looks like everypony left in a hurry." She noted the lack of population around.
"What did you expect?" Sunset asked with a brow. "With how ponies of today's era don't remember much of Ancient Equestria, I doubt anypony would still be living here. Look at what happened to Canterlot."
"Okay, fair point." Sunny said in understanding as Zipp looked through a building that said 'Wing Wax'.
"It's creepy!" Pipp called out as she still looked around. "If nopony has been here all these years, why aren't things more broken down like Canterlot? It looks like they left yesterday." She added as she saw that Cloudsdale is still in perfect condition unlike Canterlot.
"Well, being up here above the clouds, you wouldn't have to worry about any wear from weather." Sunny guessed as she was next to Somnambula's Snack Sphinx.
"Cloudsdale is a cloud city." Twilight stated. "With it being up here, the humidity doesn't affect clouds or any cloud related buildings unlike Canterlot."
"One of the benefits of being up high above the clouds." Sunset added with a shrug. "But how Cloudsdale got here, it's a mystery." She turned to Twilight. "Didn't you say that Cloudsdale was always positioned close to Ponyville?"
"Yeah. It never really moved from Ponyville before. How it is over Zephyr Heights is beyond me." Twilight said with a frown, knowing that Cloudsdale is a long way from where Ponyville once stood.
"They left so much behind. Do you think they meant to come back?" Pipp wondered as she looked around as she walked. "Oh my gosh, what if this is us? What if this storm doesn't go away and we have to leave Zephyr Heights behind? That would be-" She then got blocked by a cloud. "Hey!" She yelled with a look before she gave a brow as Zipp, Sunny, Sunset, and Twilight turned to her.. "This cloud is really hard. What's wrong with it?" She questioned in confusion.
"Hard cloud?" Twilight questioned with a brow. "Clouds don't be hard. They're supposed to be soft."
"All clouds are supposed to be except for solid cloud buildings up here." Sunset added, knowing how clouds work in Equestria. "Why is this one hard?" She questioned.
The cloud then started moving as it began to open up, shocking the five mares. "Oh my gosh! This cloud is opening." Pipp said in shock.
"Pipp, get back!" Zipp called out in panic, but then the cloud completely opened, revealing to be a small brown boar-like creature with antennae and cloud-like wings as it stretched and yawned as the mares looked at it in surprise.
"OMP! Would you look at him!" Pipp called with a wide smile while she and Zipp smiled at the creature. "He's a cute little flying hog!"
"Huh, I've never seen an animal like that before." Zipp said with a smile. "You know who would like him?" She asked.
The two sisters then turned to each other. "Mom!" They both exclaimed with smiles as the boar creature gave a tired look while picturing a bed.
"What kind of creature is that?" Sunset asked as she turned to Twilight. "Twilight? Do you know this creature?"
"No. I have never seen this kind of critter before." Twilight said in wonder. "I've been to Cloudsdale many times and I knew many creatures in Equestria thanks to Fluttershy, but never seen that creature before."
"I think they're called Arkan Sonney." Sunny spoke up, which made Twilight, Sunset, and Zipp turn to her as she was looking at a notice paper on a windowsill.
"What's that?" Zipp asked in surprise.
"Care to explain more, Sunny?" Twilight asked in curiosity.
"Oh, it looks like…" Sunny started as she was having a hard time reading some of them. "I don't know if they were pets or pests, but there's a whole list of dos and do not's." She noted.
Pipp then held the Arkan Sonney in her hooves as she took out her phone. "You are so cute, little guy. All my followers are just going to love you!" Pipp said with a smile.
"Wow, there sure are a lot of rules for a cute pet." Zipp commented.
"Not every pet can be cute. Looks can be deceiving. Trust me." Twilight advised.
"They must've had these sometime before they deserted Cloudsdale." Sunset noted. "But why so many rules for one little critter?"
"I guess they must have had some problems with them." Sunny guessed with a shrug as she read the rules. "Don't feed them. Don't hit or kick them. Don't get them wet."
"That didn't turn out. Too much shadow on that." Pipp said while looking at her phone with a frown as the Arkan Sonney was sleeping. "Let's turn the flash on."
"And whatever you do, don't expose them to bright flashes of ligh-" Sunny trailed off as she, Zipp, Sunset, and Twilight eyes widened in panic as they turned to Pipp.
"Smile!" Pipp said with a wide smile as she aimed her phone at herself and the Arkan Sonney.
"PIPP! NO!" The four mares exclaimed.
"Say, 'Pipp's new pal'!" Pipp called as she used her camera phone, which made a bright flash while awakening the Arkan Sonney with wide eyes as Pipp put the critter down and looked at her phone. "Oh, that one came out nice! You're very photogenic. And look, I have service up here!" She added with a smile as the Arkan Sonney walked around blindly. "Oh, this will give my poor followers something to watch while they're sheltering!" She added with a smile as she turned to her friends, who gave panicked expressions after what happened. "I should live stream so they know their princess is safe!" She added with a smile, oblivious to her friends' expressions.
Zipp then quickly grabbed her sister's tail, while Sunny, Sunset, and Twilight held her hooves as Zipp tried to pull her sister away. "Pipp, slowly and quietly come over here and away from the Arkan Sonney." Zipp whispered nervously.
"Why are you whispering?" Pipp asked her sister with a smile. "He's like, the cutest thing ever." She then went back to her phone. "You know what, it's too good an opportunity not to live stream."
"Sis, no!" Zipp said in a whispered tone.
"Don't do it!" Twilight whispered anxiously.
"Sssh! You're gonna mess up my video!" Pipp said to them.
"Nonono! Come on! Pipp!" Sunset whispered harshly before Pipp then started livestreaming as she pointed her phone to herself and the Arkan Sonney.
"Hey there, Pippsqueaks! I have an extremely special guest I wanted you to meet!" Pipp said with a smirk as the Arkan Sonney flinched a bit. "He's the absolutely cutest-" But when she turned around, the Arkan Sonney turned to her while bearing its teeth and had red eyes and gave an angry squeal, which made Pipp screamed in shock.
The four mares looked at Pipp as Zipp gave an angry look at her sister. "Good job, you turned the world's cutest creature into a bloodthirsty monster in 30 seconds." She sarcastically said.
"What did I do?" Pipp asked as she looked at her phone. "I was just trying to show everyone how cute he is!" She added in defense.
"They don't like bright lights." Sunny said in fear.
"And you caused it to be aggressive." Twilight added with a look.
"Just because you wanted a picture and live stream." Sunset finished with a look as well.
Pipp then turned to the Arkan Sonney. "'I'm kind of a celebrity, little guy, so I know exactly how you feel." She said with a small smile. Look, we can still be-" She trailed off when the Arkan Sonney sprouted quills behind his back as it gave another shriek.
"That's not good." Twilight said in fear.
"Look out! He's not a little hog-" Sunny cried out before the Arkan Sonney then fired quills at them, which made the four fliers fly off while Sunny trotted behind them. "-he's a little hedgehog!"
"And he's gonna turn us into pincushions!" Zipp exclaimed in fear.
"Where's Sonic or Hitch when you need them!" Sunset exclaimed as they ran/flew as fast as they could away from the Arkan Sonney chased after them as it kept shooting its quills as they ran across Cloudsdale.
Meanwhile, back in cloudsdale, the storm kept getting worse as it was hailing down. "Hail?!" Hitch questioned in shock from seeing this. "Can this weather get any worse?" He questioned before a lightning strike hit a couple of buildings as one of them were lit on fire. "You know what? Never mind."
"Don't jinx it, Hitch." Cloud said while taking out a part. "We were lucky that this hanger is going."
"Yeah, you got a point." Hitch said in understanding as he turn to the other ponies taking some parts out. "Okay, everypony, you're doing great." He said with a smile. "We need a couple of ponies to help Izzy with-" He was cut off when the power goes out, startling them. "Uh-oh." He muttered.
"Dang it, the storm is getting so bad, the power is giving out." Cloud said in worry.
"Everypony, just stay where you are. Hopefully the lights will come back." Hitch said to them, then after a moment, the power went back on. "Phew. Okay, keep working. We've got this!" He encourage.
Cloud then turns to Hitch. "Hitch, this storm is getting worse, we barely have any power left. And the firewood in the castle is really low. We're not sure how much we have left." He stated.
Hitch then nodded in understanding. "You're right, Cloud. I'll go tell Izzy and Misty about it." He said as he went to the airship as he saw Misty and Izzy inside while Misty was welding a part. "Guys, I'm starting to think we don't got this. And Cloud said the power could go out any moment and the firewood supplies are low. How much longer will this take?" He asked in concern.
Misty then turn to him while lifting her mask up. "Funny you should ask." She said with a smile.
"Hahahah, you asked!" Izzy called through a laugh before she gave a confused look. "Wait, why is that funny?"
"Because I think we're ready to test the engine." Misty answered with a smile.
"I don't get it." Izzy said with a confused look.;
Misty then put on her goggles as she went to the power lever. "Everpony, cross your hooves. Here goes nothing!" She called with a huge grin as she pulled the lever, which crackled electricity as the airship then started to power up as it began to take off in the air. "It's alive!" She called with a dramatic voice.
"Misty, you did it!" Hitch cheered while he and Misty are giving side hugs in victory.
"I always knew Opaline forcing me to do things without giving me any resources would come in handy." Misty said with a proud smirk, but then the engine of the airship started sputtering before it completely burned out as it landed back on the platform.
"Wait, what happened? Why isn't it working anymore?" Hitch asked in worry by what just happened.
"Oh, that was just a test." Izzy said to him. "It still needs a few more parts to stay afloat."
"We have everything we need except for a power source." Misty said to them after lifting her goggles up.
"Oh, if only Twilight or Sunset stayed with us, this could've been solved faster." Hitch said with a groan, seeing that two ancient Equestrians with knowledge on airships could really be useful right now.
"They have their mission and we have ours, Hitch. We just need to solve this without them." Misty said to him. "You don't know where we can get a big jolt of electricity around here, do you?" She asked her two friends.
Then suddenly, a big lighting was heard as it hit Hanger 4, which caused the power to go out again. "I might have a really really bad idea." Hitch said with a nervous tone.
"Yay!" Izzy cheered with a smile.
Meanwhile back in Cloudsdale, the five ponies are still running from the Arkan Sonney as it was still aggressive as it kept shooting its quills at them. "Great job, sis! We're about to be turned into sieves by the cutest thing you've ever seen!" Zipp yelled while giving her sister a look.
"I just wanted to be friends! Is that a crime!?" Pipp questioned in defense.
"Yeah, well, maybe for once you should-" Zipp was about to rebut but she tripped on another cloud with a yelp, which turned out to be another Arkan Sonney as it unwrapped itself and gave a shriek. "Oh, come on!" She exclaimed as they ran and now they have two Arkan Sonneys behind them.
"Another one?! Seriously?!" Sunset questioned in disbelief as they ran through an alley.
"Ha! That one was your fault!" Pipp taunted her sister as they kept running.
"We can't keep running from them! We need to take shelter in one of these buildings!" Zipp exclaimed.
"Easy for you to say since most of these buildings are locked!" Twilight called out. "We don't know if one is open or not!"
They then stopped at the end of an alley as more Arkan Sonneys were in front of them as they immediately got aggressive. "There's even more of them over here!" Zipp exclaimed.
"Seriously, how many of these things are there?!" Sunset questioned as she and Twilight quickly shielded the firing quills with their magic.
"We need to find a place to take shelter before we're pincushions!" Twilight called as they kept blocking the quills.
Sunny looked around before seeing a big building from a corner. "Quit, let's try that big building over there!" She called out as they followed Sunny to the building as more Arkan Sonneys were pouring in.
"I really hope this one's open!" Pipp called out in worry as Sunny quickly opened the door.
"I got it! Get inside!" Sunny called out to her friends.
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Zipp called as they flew in as Sunny quickly shut the door to prevent the Arkan Sonneys from getting in as they all took a breather from the chase they were in.
"Phew, that was close." Sunny said in relief.
"Okay, it's official, I hate those things." Sunset said in exhaustion.
"I was so glad they weren't around in my time." Twilight said with a breather.
"Now, let's hope there's something in here that can help move this city or the storm it's making." Zipp said with a frown. "Where are we anyway?" She questioned as the five mares looked around and noticed that they were in a library.
"We're in the Cloudsdale's Library!" Twilight said with a wide smile at seeing the library.
"Yes! You can always count on the library!" Sunny cheered with a wide smile.
"Heh, no matter where we go, there's always a library." Sunset commented with a smile. "And perfectly organized too." She added, seeing how clean and organize the library is.
"Wow, Zipp! Twilight and Sunset are right. It really is Cloudsdale! Can you believe it?" Pipp asked with a smile as Zipp look around with smiles.
The five mares look around the library. "Okay, this is good. There has to be information here about this place." Zipp said in thought. "Spread out and try to find something that will tell us about the storm." She added.
"Wow! Do you all know what this is?" Sunny asked in excitement as she saw the statue of Somnambula, one of the ancient pillars in Equestrian history. "This is an enormous source for new information about Pegasi culture. I mean, look at this statue! Her name is Somnambula. I've never heard of her." She added with a smile.
"We know, Sunny. We're one of those ancients." Sunset said with a smirk while gesturing to herself and Twilight about ancient Equestrian cultures.
"Oh, right. Sorry, I just got excited." Sunny said with a sheepish smile.
"It's okay. I will be like that too." Twilight said with a smile as she looked at Somnambula's statue. "And Somnambula is one of the Pillars of Equestria, ancient heroes who unite to stop the ponies of shadow. In her story, she saved her village by standing up to an evil sphinx by correcting some riddles. Which is toward Hisan across a narrow bridge, blindfolded and without flying, which she succeeds with a leap of faith." She explained with a smile.
"Wow! She must've been a legend!" Sunny said in amazement.
"Oh, she was." Twilight said with a smirk. "I met her." She added, which made Sunny's eyes widened even more.
"You met a hero of ancient times!?" Sunny asked in amazement.
"All seven of them. But it's a long story." Twilight said with a smile. "Right now, let's focus on finding a way to stop this storm."
"Right, right. Focus." Sunny said with a determined smile as they searched around the library for any intel.
Zipp looked around as she saw the Cloudsdale name on a sign as she gave a thought as Pipp turn to her sister when she noticed her behavior. "Sis, we're in Cloudsdale! The real Cloudsdale! And sure, we're being chased by very mean flying hedgehogs, but you used to play pretend about coming here! Why are you so glum?" Pipp asked her sister in concern.
Zipp then turns to her sister while gesturing to the sign. "You mean aside from that fact that I've been queen for half a day and our whole city is about to be destroyed?" She questioned with a worried look. "It's just.., I mean… It's because I used to dream about coming here." She said as she then had a vision about the legendary Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts she heard from Twilight and Sunset.
"I imagined that I'd find the city one day and that it would be like a whole lost civilization. That it would be full of incredible, fast-flying warrior pegasi like mom's old stories and from how Twilight and Sunset describe them." Zipp continued on. "Every time I didn't fit in the way you did or I wasn't happy sitting on the throne and going to endless parties… I imagined that Cloudsdale was out there somewhere and it was full of Pegasi like me, who wanted to fly fast and go on adventures."
Twilight and Sunset heard this as they saw how much Zipp dreamed about Cloudsdale and how she pictured it while wanting to be the best of the best like the Pegasi they knew back in their time as they gave a frown.
"But by the time we got our flight back, I didn't really believe in Cloudsdale anymore. But I still thought about it." Zipp said with a frown. "And when Sunset and Twilight talked about it, it brought my hopes up higher that it really is out there, and I hoped we would find it after we discovered Canterlot. But this is worse. They just… left it. There's nopony here. No hidden world." She said hopelessly.
Pipp, Twilight, and Sunset looked at Zipp with sympathy, knowing that this isn't the Cloudsdale Zipp has picture as Twilight spoke up. "Zipp, Cloudsdale was home to some of the greatest Pegasi warriors, my friend Rainbow Dash was one of those." She said with a frown. "And while Cloudsdale may still be the same as I remember, without any Pegasi or any other friendly flying creatures around, it's not the same, which I can understand, but you have to remember that it's been generations."
"Yeah, Zipp." Sunset said with a nod. "I mean, not everything can remain the way it is. Cloudsdale may look the same, but just like Canterlot, it is deserted because ponies have forgotten about them and nopony was there to carry on their stories or keep them in perfect condition. And it was thanks to Opaline, they were lost to the passage of time."
"But it can be different now!" Pipp said with an optimistic smile. "You, Twilight, Sunset, and I can bring it back. All we have to do is to stop the storm."
"And once that's over, we'll put Cloudsdale back on the map." Sunset added with a smile.
"And it will be populated and the legacy of the pegasi from the past will be remembered once more." Twilight said with a smile. "You did say that some places in Equestria are getting a bit too crowded lately." She added with a giggle.
"Yeah, and Cloudsdale can be like how it was in ancient times." Pipp added with a smile.
"That's not going to…" Zipp tried to say as she tried to find the right words. "We have no idea how to stop this storm!" She stated before they heard a bing, which caught the group's attention as they turned and saw a monitor on the desk.
"Information Desk Activating…" The computer said, which surprised the group.
"What the-" Sunset tried to ask before the monitor brought out a hologram of a familiar ancient pegasi that Twilight once knew.
"Hellow, inquisitive young pegasi. My name is Flash Magnus, hero of Cloudsdale." The hologram Flash said, which shocked the group, especially Sunny since this was another one of the ancient Pillars of Equestria as Flash then explained the history of Cloudsdale. "And I'm here to answer all your questions about the history of Cloudsdale. For years, Pegasi lived in isolated towns and cities throughout Equestria. We preferred elevated areas that were hard for other creatures to reach. Heights, mountain ranges, even aeries like gryphons. Can you imagine?" He started as they watched how Pegasi used to live in different areas before they saw some Pegasi moving some clouds after finding out they could touch them.
"Eventually, other ponies began to recognize the unique and valuable magic that pegasi possessed." Hologram Flash continued. "Not just flying but cloud building, and weather control. We could promise a clear day for a parade or direct a rainstorm to a desert that needed it." The scene then showed the Pegasi using the clouds to build Cloudsdale. "What we didn't have was a way to create weather. We had the technology but no way to get it from place to place. So, the seven great cities of Pegasi came together to shape the greatest achievement in Pegasi History. Cloudsdale. A new capital city for all Pegasi, shaped with pegasus magic and centered around the device that helped Pegasi change the world."
Then the hologram showed the picture of a place Sunset and Twilight recognize very well, "The Cloudsdale Weather Factory. This factory keeps winter on time. Keeps the Everfree Forest watered, and make sure it's always sunny in Fillydelphia." Hologram Flash explained.
"That's it! The Weather Factory!" Zipp called out before they head thunder, seeing the Weather Factory just outside the window from where they're out as they saw dark storm clouds producing from out of it's tube.
"Oh, sweet Celestia! Of course it was the factory!" Twilight facehoof herself, completely forgotten about the Weather Factory.
"That must be what's making the storm." Sunny added in realization.
"I'm just guessing here, but it doesn't look like it's working right." Pipp guessed after seeing the storm outside.
"No it isn't." Sunset shook her head. "But of all the times for the factory to react, why is it suddenly working now if nopony has been here for generations?" She questioned.
"Twilight?" Sunny asked her idol.
"I don't know. I've never seen the factory do that before." Twilight said with a frown. "Something must be wrong with it."
The hologram Flash then continues. "Keeping the factory working requires a mixture of technology and pegasus magic. Without magic, the factory wouldn't produce weather. Without Pegasi know-how, it would be nearly impossible to control."
"That must be it! When magic came back, the weather factory started making weather again." Sunny realizes as they kept looking at the factory. "And somehow the machines got turned on again."
"Which explains this sudden crazy storm we're having. Which made it move the entire city over Zephyr Heights." Sunset added with a frown. "Ugh, the past comes back to bite you, it's always that." She muttered.
"Actually, it gets worse." Twilight said with a frown as they turned to her. "Rainbow Dash told me the Pegasi helped control and maintain the factory, her included. Without the Pegasi, the Weather Factory is not in control of its weather producing! If we don't shut it down again, it could make storms like this everywhere until it covers all of Equestria!" She said in worry.
"And it will cause Zephyr Heights or all of Equestria to be buried in unpredictable snow." Sunny added with a frown.
"Yeah, we gotta shut down that factory before that happens." Sunset said with an anxious look.
"Well then that settles it." Zipp said with a determined look as she and Pipp opened the doors, which knocked an Arkan Sonney down while one was sleeping on the steps while the rest of them were gone as Zipp gave a serious look. "We have to save Zephyr Heights from Cloudsdale." She declared as the five mares nodded in agreement as they were going to shut down the Weather Factory and save Zephyr Heights before it was too late.
End of Issue 2.