One year later...
"Steady now, Storm." begun Blue Skye, watching Storm along with some other weather ponies flying around a cloud ball, which slowly formed into a small, white cloud. Storm was now seventeen and had been working in the weather factory full-time for the past six months, and while Tornado, and some other high-ranking weather ponies were impressed with his cloud-making skills, including his dad, who lately begun to put more and more pressure on him to succeed, Storm himself had been growing tired of being a weather pony. He begun to slowly grow tired of the constant routine that he had to get used to as a weather pony, which included making a cloud every five minutes, and flying in and out of the weather factory and eventually came to the conclusion that a job in weather was more or less a part-time thing. However, he did not want to leave the factory, not just yet, especially since High Wind, his dad, was still working there. Over the one year that he had been working in the factory, High Wind was arguably the pony who pushed Storm the most to succeed, and he didn't want to disappoint him. However, the more Storm thought about it, the more he wanted to get a different job.
"And that's it, Storm." replied Blue Skye, turning to look at his watch. Storm stopped his flying and wiped the tidal wave of sweat off his forehead, before turning to look at the cloud he had just made.
"So, how'd I do?" he asked, looking at the senior weather ponies, who were all clapping their hooves.
"You did really well." replied Blue Skye. "In fact, you did it in record time. Fifteen seconds, three milliseconds."
"Really?" Storm's ears perked up.
"Yep." Blue Skye smiled, writing down his time on a notepad. "Tornado's gonna be pleased. Lightning, release the cloud."
"Alright." the pony named Lightning replied, pulling down a lever which opened a hatch in the ceiling. The cloud hovered higher and higher, before going through the hatch and disappearing out of sight. Lightning then pushed the lever back up, closing the hatch.
"Anyways, go get yourself cleaned up and go home, Storm. Your shift is up. Come back here after lunch tomorrow, alright?"
"Alright..." replied Storm, hovering away from the cloud and flying into the shower room.
While Storm wiped his soaking wet mane with a towel, he was approached by Tornado.
"Storm, once you're done cleaning yourself up, can you please come to my office?" Tornado asked. Storm turned to glance at the much shorter, yet more buff stallion right next to him and nodded. "There's something I need to talk to you about. Something important."
"Yes sir." he replied, watching Tornado nod his head understandingly, before turning away and heading off for his office. Over the eight months Storm had worked at the factory, he and Tornado had grown to like each other. Tornado was still harsh, but Storm knew that if he met or even exceeded his expectations, Tornado would offer a pay rise.
Storm put his towel on top of a nearby clothes dryer, and shook any remaining water off his body like a wet dog. He turned around to look at the weather ponies preparing for the afternoon shift, before turning to look at the large, digital clock, the large seven-segment display on it showing the time, 2:53 PM, in red lettering. He jumped back in shock, not having realized what the time was, before picking up his saddlebag and trotting off towards Tornado's office.
"Come on in." said Tornado, listening to the repeating knock on the ice-white door to his office from his large and spacious desk. The door to the office slowly swung open, and Storm stepped inside, a rather awkward look on his face. During his time in the factory, Stormfire had never had to visit Tornado's office before, so naturally he was pretty worried. "Ah, Storm. I was expecting to see you here."
"Yes sir?" he stuttered, watching a smile creep on Tornado's face.
"I've wanted to talk to you about your progress as a weather pony." he replied. "I've seen what you are capable of on your own, and I must say, I'm impressed, and so are the high-ranking staff. Even though you've only been here full-time for what, six months...?"
"Yeah, six months." replied Storm.
"I must say, you're a quick learner." said Tornado.
"It runs in the family." smiled Storm. "Both my mom and my stepdad are weather ponies, and from what they've told me, they're one of the high ranking ponies on the cloud-busting team."
"So I've heard..." he thought to himself. "Equinox Moon and High Wind?"
"Yep." replied Storm, trying his hardest to loosen up and get rid of his awkwardness and obvious fear of being in Tornado's office. "Anyways... what was it that you wanted to talk about with me, sir?"
"Well... I was thinking about giving you a promotion." replied Tornado.
"To what, sir?" Storm's ears perked up.
"Part-time cloud checker." replied Tornado. "It's all in the name. All you basically have to do is check the clouds for any bits which seem a bit... well, off... it's pretty easy, plus you'll get good money for it, around...hmm, $12 hourly."
Sounds interesting... sighed Storm. And there he thought that being a weather pony wasn't boring enough. But hey, at least the money was good. "I understand, sir."
"You'll start Saturday." Tornado replied. "Right now, go enjoy what's left of Sunday. See you next weekend, Storm."
"Mom, I'm... home..." replied Storm, opening the door to the house and panting heavily. He was out of breath after flying as fast as he possibly could from the Weather Factory, and looked down at his new watch, which for some reason, had not slipped off his hoof during his fifteen minute-long flight across town. Sighing in relief, Storm noticed that the time was just turning 3:30 PM. He sighed in relief, as this was the time he was supposed to be back home at, and wiped the beads of sweat off him. However, despite being relieved that he managed to make it back home on time, especially after a long and hard day at work and after a meeting at Tornado's office, Storm was nervous. Nervous about explaining to his family just what that meeting was all about. While he was eager to know their reactions, especially his father's, he was also nervous about explaining it all to them.
"Hey son!" she shouted from the kitchen. Storm wiped the sweat off his forehead and slammed the door shut, however not loud enough for Equinox to hear. He dumped his saddlebag next to the couch in the living room, and walked into the kitchen.
"Hey mom, dad..." he groaned, leaning against the wall.
"Hey sport." grinned High, who was sitting at the table and eating a hay salad. "How was work?"
"You know... the usual." replied Storm, not wanting to tell his family about the fact that he got promoted, not just yet. "Tiring, but also rewarding."
"That's what I love to hear." said High Wind.
"What's for lunch, mom?" asked Storm.
"Your favorite, son." she smiled, passing him a plate of hay fries, with hay salad on the side. Storm's eyes widened in delight, and he put down the plate at the table.
"Hey big brother!" said Mist, who was sitting down at the table, also eating some hay fries. Storm smiled at her, and ruffled her mane playfully.
"So, how was work today, Storm?" asked Equinox.
"Tiring, as you can see..." he chuckled, wiping some more sweat off his forehead.
"I can imagine, son." she smiled. "It's just as tiring working on the cloud-busting team, maybe even more, but then again, it's absolutely worth it."
"Your mom's right, Storm." replied High. "Are you using the tricks I've taught you at work?"
"Yes dad." Storm rolled his eyes. "Can I just make a quick announcement?"
"Go right ahead, Storm." replied Equinox, sitting down beside them with a plate of hay fries of her own. Storm cleared his throat before beginning.
"Well, I don't know how to explain this to you all..." started Storm, feeling a slight tinge of nervousness. "But, apparently Tornado and the other high-ranking members of staff are really impressed with my work as a cloud-maker, and he...promoted me."
"Wow, congratulations son." smiled Equinox, hugging him. "I'm so proud of you."
"So am I, kiddo." replied High, looking on proudly.
"Me too." smiled Mist. "What did you get promoted to?"
"Well... cloud checker." replied Storm. He looked around the kitchen, and while Equinox and Mist were smiling, he could see that his dad's smile was slowly disappearing off his face.
"Wow, that's great, Storm." smiled Equinox.
"Yeah, that's really good..." replied High, suddenly standing up out of his chair. "Can I go get some fresh air, 'Quin?"
"Sure thing, honey." she nuzzled him, before watching him walk out of the back door and slamming it shut.
"What's gotten into dad?" asked Storm, rather perplexed.
"I don't know, sweetie." replied Equinox. "Wanna go check?"
"Sure thing." Storm replied. "Where's Gust?"
"He's upstairs." replied Equinox. "Also, I got a letter from your school today, and I think you'll like it."
"What's it about?" he asked, standing up from his seat.
"You'll find out later, alright?" smiled Equinox.
"Sure thing." smiled Storm.
"Can I find out too?" asked Mist.
"Yep, sweetie." replied Equinox. "You can go check on dad, Storm. Alright?"
"Alright." he smiled, walking out the back door of the kitchen and closing it shut.
High Wind leaned against the back wall of the house, his eyes set on the mountain range on the horizon. To Storm he seemed fairly sad; almost depressed in a way, but when he noticed Storm approach him he decided to hide his true emotions.
"Hey dad." replied Storm, looking at the stallion, who was just over an inch and a half taller than him. "What's up?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing." replied High, still staring at the horizon. "I just had a long day at work."
"But you and mom only work weekdays..." Storm corrected him.
"Oh, yeah..." he chuckled awkwardly.
"No seriously, dad." begun Storm. "What's going on?"
"It's... basically---well---how can I explain this to you?" High sighed. "I don't want you being a cloud checker. I want you to be the best of the best. I want to one day see you leading the entire cloud-busting team, and be able to say 'that's my son'. I was hoping he'd promote you to something more...action-packed, like senior cloud maker or junior storm maker, or even move you to the rainbow department, which is a pretty cool place. I see potential in you, son, but that promotion Tornado gave you is an awful waste of young talent."
"You think?" he asked, his ears drooping.
"Yep." replied High. "Because you're already doing great... but then again...it's not really my decision on who gets to go where. Tornado is the supervisor for the cloud-making department, and he makes the rules. Go back home and finish your lunch, alright? I'll be back inside in a minute or two."
"Alright." Storm shrugged, leaving High alone.
Equinox Moon/High Wind
12087 N. Cloud Way
Alderneigh Heights
North Cloudsdale
CLOUDSDALE, CE
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Dear Mrs. Equinox Moon,
Your son, Stormfire, has expressed interest in the history department's annual field trip to Canterlot. However, Storm will need your consent if he wishes to go. The trip is scheduled for Friday, April 29, and will include:
- visiting the Castle of Princess Celestia
- a walk around the Royal Gardens
- a shopping trip down Eclipse Boulevard (maximum spending money is $25 since reports of pickpocketing have apparently been on the rise, but this is completely optional)
- a visit to one of the many gift shops in Downtown (again completely optional)
- a possible hike up to the summit of Canter Mountain (weather dependent, although it is expected to be sunny on the day of the trip)
The trip will cost approximately $60 per pony, and our group will return to Cloudsdale by 4:30 PM. Here is a more detailed layout of the price:-
- Student train ticket to Canterlot (Ponyville-Canterlot)- $30;
- Student return ticket to Ponyville (Canterlot-Ponyville) - $30;
- Entry ticket to Celestia's castle - free, but donations of up to $10 are always welcome by the castle curator;
- Eclipse Boulevard Shopping Trip - $25 (completely optional);
- Gift shop spending money - $5 maximum (completely optional)
An important reminder for all students going on the trip that lunches should be brought from home since the cost of the trip does not cover food. That being said, however, we are perfectly fine with students buying drinks or snacks from vending machines, or as street food.
If you give your consent for Storm to go on this trip, please tick the box below and hand this letter back to the school by April 26.
Yours sincerely,
Dust Bowl, History Teacher at North Cloudsdale High School
"They finally sent us the confirmation letter..." replied Storm, staring down at the letter. "I thought it was never going to come."
"They had a problem with one of the printers, but everything is back to normal now." explained Equinox.
"So, Storm..." begun Mist. "Do you want to go?"
"Do I?" he asked. "I'd love to."
"You always wanted to go to Canterlot, son." smiled Equinox. "Now's your chance. Should I tick the box?"
"Definitely," replied Storm. Equinox picked up her pen, which was lying on the counter right next to the one she was leaning on, and ticked the box.
"It's a shame I can't come with Storm." sighed Mist. By this time, she was a freshmare at the same high school that Storm went to. "I'd love to go to Canterlot."
"Relax, Mist." he smiled, ruffling her mane playfully. "You can come with me when you're a bit older. Alright?"
"Sure." she smiled.
"Alright Storm..." begun Equinox, folding the letter back up. "Go get yourself cleaned up, alright? And go bring Gust downstairs."
And with that, Storm left the kitchen and made his way upstairs to the bathroom.
That Friday...
The train from Ponyville to Canterlot rattled through the forests and cornfields of north-central Equestria. It was a warm and sunny day, just like the weather forecast said it'd be, and while the other students were talking and messing around in the back of the car, Storm sat at a vacant seat in the very front, looking out of the window as he listened to a loud metal track on his music player whilst sipping on a can of pop. He was bored and beginning to regret going on this trip, especially since the train journey was meant to last for over an hour. He looked further out of the window and managed to just make out the cloud on which Cloudsdale was built on in the distance, before that too faded away into the morning sky, leaving only forests, farms, and large expansive cornfields. It was safe to say that the train was currently in the middle of nowhere, at least it seemed like that to Storm, who had never been further than Ponyville on his own.
Suddenly, Storm's right wing was tapped. Removing his headphones, he placed the pop on a tray table in front of him before turning around to see who it was. To his surprise, he noticed it was his marefriend, Blue.
"Hey, Stormy..." she smiled. "Can I sit next to you?"
"Of course, babe." Storm smiled, moving slightly closer to the window, allowing her ample space to sit down next to him. "So, you excited?"
"Yep." Blue replied. "In fact... I'm more excited than I've ever been, mainly because I'm going to Canterlot with my coltfriend... We'll spend the entire day together... just you and me." Storm wrapped his wing around her body, allowing her to lean against him. She smiled dreamily, enjoying the both the warmth of her coltfriend's embrace and the cool air conditioning above them.
"I can't wait." he smiled at her, nuzzling her gently. "I haven't seen you all week at school, hon... did anything happen?"
"No, I just had the feather flu," replied Blue, continuing leaning against Storm. "It went away after a day or two, though, but my parents still kept me inside just to be safe."
"Well, it's a good thing you're here, Blue." Storm smiled at her. "I can't think of anypony whom I'd rather go with on this trip than you."
"Aww..." she cooed. "Thanks, honey. I wouldn't go with anypony else than you, Storm. How's the family?"
"They're doing good... especially Mist." he chuckled, thinking about his little sister.
"How's she fitting into the eighth grade?" asked Blue.
"She's always so cheerful when she comes back home, so I can assume that it's going great for her." Storm replied. "Only my dad... he seems a bit off lately."
"How so?" Blue raised her eyebrows.
"Well, it's like this." begun Storm. "Have I told you that I got promoted at work?"
"You did?" a smile formed on Blue's face, which Storm noticed.
"Yep." replied Storm.
"Well, that's great, Stormy." she gave him a quick peck on the lips, which he enjoyed. "I'm really happy for you."
"Thanks, babe." he smiled. "Well, as it turns out my dad isn't too happy that I got promoted to cloud checker... he wants me to get promoted to something bigger. Something more... action-packed."
"Storm, maybe your dad just wants you to succeed as a weather pony," Blue explained. "You're pretty much following in his hoovesteps... hoovesteps he's been laying down for how many years?..."
"The past twenty-six years..." explained Storm, recalling when High told him all about how he got his first job in weather just after graduating high school.
"And nothing would make him prouder than to see you achieve what he's achieved." replied Blue.
"I don't know, babe," replied Storm. "I'm beginning to see this job as more of a part-time job than something I'd do full-time. In fact, I'm kind of getting bored of it..."
"Really?" she frowned before she begun to think. "Hmm... Maybe I should take up a job at the factory also. What do you think, Stormy?"
"I think you should." he smiled. "But what about your music?"
"I'm having second thoughts about becoming a full-time musician," Blue replied. "I don't consider myself good, and I'll probably stick to playing the piano at home or something."
"Suit yourself, but you're really good," replied Storm, however, just before Blue could reply, the train entered a tunnel, rapidly cutting off any light in the train. The train began to grow slower and slower the further it went through the tunnel. A couple of minutes later, the darkness in the tunnel slowly faded into the light, and eventually, the train exited the tunnel. Storm and Blue turned to look out of the window and noticed that the train was going up a rather steep slope, and it took them a few moments to realize that they had in fact gone up a mountain. They both looked off the edge of the cliff the train was going up in delight at Equestria before them; the view seemed to stretch for at least a hundred miles... maybe more if the horizon was obscured by cloud, however that didn't stop them from seeing fine details such as towns, rivers, and plots of farmland, and they could even catch a glimpse of Cloudsdale, which looked to be around fifty-sixty miles away.
"It's quite a sight, isn't it?" Storm nuzzled Blue, who in turn, lay against him.
"Yep. It's beautiful..." she said, before turning to face the front. "From what I can tell, we're almost there, Storm."
At least five or ten minutes later, the train began to pass some pine trees, and soon enough, evidence of pony civilization begun to appear next to the railroad, including a billboard advertising a family holiday in Los Pegasus for 300 bits and a tall water tower right next to it. Suddenly, the train entered another tunnel, this one being much shorter than the one going up the mountain, before exiting it a minute later. Storm managed to catch a glimpse of outside before the view became obscured by trees.
"I think we're here." grinned Blue.
Suddenly, the train began to slow down rapidly, passing by more trees, and one or two homes, and the screeching noise the wheels made, which was worse than nails scratching against a chalkboard, sounded through the cabin. Storm, Blue, the other students and the teachers accompanying them covered their ears, but even that didn't do much to stop the horrible noise. Storm turned to look out of the window and noticed long rows of tall, white houses, all neatly lined up on the cliff, and facing the vast expanse of Equestria several thousand feet below. At closer inspection, these houses were a lot fancier and costlier than the homes in Cloudsdale or any of the surrounding towns and villages. In between these houses were some apartment buildings, some high-rises, some low-rises, and in the distant background stood a couple of office blocks, probably thirty or forty stories high. Storm looked on in wonder at the sprawling city before him, and soon enough, the screeching sound made by the wheels of the train begun to grow quieter and quieter as the train slowed down.
"Are we in---" begun Storm.
"Canterlot?" Blue finished for him. "Yes, we are. And this view isn't even the best part. You just have to see it for yourself to believe it, Storm."
"We're here, people," begun Dust Bowl, a beige-colored stallion with a brown mane, before standing out of his seat. "When we stop, I want you to line up in an orderly fashion. We'll be stopping in around ten minutes."
Storm and Blue looked out of the window, watching as the train entered the outskirts of city, passing through a large medieval-style gate, and past several tourist-oriented shops, including a gift shop, before coming to a halt at a purple-white building, which had a dark-purple roof, and arched windows which sparkled due in the sunlight. Moments later, the train's doors slid open and ponies began to pour out of all the cars onto the platform, including the students and their teachers.
"Welcome to Canterlot." Dust Bowl smiled at the group of students.
The first place that the group of students had visited was the Palace of Princess Celestia, located a short walk away from the train station, which looked absolutely amazing. In fact, this was the place Storm was most looking forward to visiting, even though tourists weren't allowed access inside at this time (as apparently, Celestia was having talks with the Griffon military's commander). It looked just as incredible outside as it did in pictures that Storm's friend Violet showed him before, and it towered over the city like some sort of huge citadel, dwarfing even the city's tallest office buildings. Despite not being able to get into the castle, Storm managed to snap a photo of the castle on his disposable camera and would have it developed over the weekend. After visiting the Palace, the tour guide took the group of students on a tour of the Royal Gardens, which were being patrolled by armored stallions. While Storm had seen Royal Guards in action before, he had never seen so many of them patrolling such a small area before, but this was pretty understandable, as these were Palace grounds, and even the smallest breach of security could pose a major threat to not only the Princess but to the entire country. While Dust Bowl was explaining to the group how the palace and Canterlot came to be, Storm watched the Guards train, scrutinizing them closely. It fascinated Storm seeing the Royal Guards in action, and he began to have thoughts about joining them after graduating from high school, but then, he realized that with his dad wanting him to become the leader of the cloud-busting team, it was going to be hard, next to impossible to take up another career.
After touring the Royal Gardens, it was time to take a walk down what Storm had heard was the largest shopping street in Equestria; Eclipse Boulevard. It was like an entire city crammed into one street, quite in the vein of Broadneigh in Manehattan, but without the massive theater marquees which populated literally every second or third building. The street was only a mile in length but was filled with shops from not only Equestria, but from all over the world. There were ponies of all different shapes and sizes and from every part of Equestria, along with some tourists from different parts of the world walking down this street, and Storm almost felt lost walking down it. Eventually, the time began to near 3:00 PM, and some dark clouds begun to gather over the horizon, meaning that the proposed hike up Canter Mountain was pretty much pointless. After the shopping trip on Eclipse Avenue, the last thing to do was to go to the gift store. While Storm and Blue walked together, behind the rest of their class in order to have some 'together time', to the gift shop, the sky began to get cloudier by the minute. Eventually, a rumble of thunder echoed through the air, followed by a sudden downpour of some torrential rain.
"Okay folks." begun Dust Bowl, looking at the group of students before him, who had all cover their manes with their saddlebags. "The hike up Canter Mountain is out of the question, so we might as well be heading back to the station."
"Aww, perfect," growled Storm. "I hate the rain... even though I'm a weather pony."
"It's not that bad, Stormy," replied Blue, nuzzling him. "It'll go away in a couple hours."
"I know, I know..." he turned to smile at her. Suddenly, Storm heard something that sounded like metal clanking. The sound came from an alleyway they were walking past.
"What is it, Stormy?" asked Blue, looking around. Storm heard the sound yet again, followed by glass shattering, and his ears perked up.
"Stay here, alright?" he asked. "I'll go check it out."
"Alright," she replied, watching Storm walk into the alley. The further Storm walked down the alley, the louder the sounds became. Eventually, they were replaced by female screaming. He gasped, and turned right, and noticed something that both terrified him and angered him; a mare, surrounded by a duo of thugs. From what Storm could tell, they were harassing her, and while he didn't want to get involved, a there was a part of him that was telling him to stop them.
"Lady, give us your money and we'll let you go." the taller thug said, while his smaller accomplice pointed a smashed glass bottle at the mare. From what Storm could tell, the mare was a tourist visiting Canterlot. "It's pretty simple."
"I won't give you anything," she said, shaking her head in fear. "Leave me alone or I'll call the Guard."
"Is that so?" the smaller thug sneered, before he dropped the glass bottle, smashing it on the ground. With seemingly no effort whatsoever, he ripped off the mare's saddlebag and opened it, much to her absolute shock, before throwing out contents he did not think were needed. Eventually, he got to her purse and emptied it out of any bits as well as loose credit and debit cards. His eyes widened in surprise at the sheer amount of bits which had poured out of it. "Sweet Celestia... We're rich!"
"Quiet, you scum! You'll give away our location! I don't want to have to escape prison again," replied the larger thug, punching the smaller one lightly. "Any more money?"
"No..." the mare replied.
Storm had enough of watching the mare suffer, so he decided to step in.
"HEY!" he shouted. Both the thugs and the mare turned to look at him.
"You lost, little guy?" replied the smaller thug.
"I'm taller than you are, shithead." Storm smirked. "Leave the mare alone or you're gonna have to go through me."
"Any takers, brother of mine?" asked the smaller thug.
"Of course..." the taller thug grinned.
"Run, ma'am. Get outta here!" shouted Storm, looking at the mare. She nodded and trotted away from where they were, leaving Storm to take on the thugs himself.
"You're gonna suffer, bro." the taller thug said.
"Says who---AAAH!"
Suddenly, the two thugs dropped the cash they were holding onto the ground and threw themselves at Storm, bringing him down to the ground almost instantly. They rolled through the alleyway, the mare watching them in utter shock, and the thugs threw punches at Storm, who tried his hardest to retaliate with his own. However, both parties did not realize that they were beginning to draw a crowd, which converged at both ends of the alleyway. While the smaller thug turned to look at the crowd of ponies gathering around them, Storm punched him in the face, knocking the thug off him. He yelped in pain, before watching Storm trot up to a trash can and hide behind it.
"Coward." the thug sneered. "Brother, you take him."
The much taller thug nodded in compliance, before trotting up to where Storm was hiding. Storm watched as the thug approached him menacingly, before taking the lid off the trash can and slamming it in his face. He groaned in pain, before being punched to the ground by Storm.
"Don't treat..." Storm said. "Innocent citizens like that!"
"GET OFF HIM!" shouted a voice. Storm turned to see who it was before he was pounced on by the smaller thug. He kicked the thug off his body, before punching him several times and knocking him into a pile of food waste. The taller thug's eyes widened in shock as he looked at his brother, who was too shocked to move. "What the buck...are you looking at? Take him!"
"Alright." the thug grinned, throwing himself at Storm and punching him repeatedly in the face. However, Storm bucked the taller thug repeatedly in the abdomen, weakening him enough for Storm to roll from beneath him. Storm got up and looked at the stallion writhing in pain, before looking to see the crowd in front of him.
"That's...what you get for treating an innocent mare like that." Storm wiped his somewhat cut-up forehead free of blood, before turning to see two Royal Guards approaching him, their crossbows out and aiming straight at Storm.
"DON'T MOVE!" the stallion said, pointing his crossbow straight at Storm. Storm immediately raised his hooves. "You are under arrest!"
"What for, officer?" Storm gulped, hooves still raised above his head.
"For viciously assaulting these ponies!" the other officer replied, looking at the two weak thugs lying on the ground, before putting a pair of hoofcuffs on Storm's hooves.
"Sir, he didn't do anything bad!" said an onlooking pony.
"It was these two!" said another, pointing at the two weak thugs. "They attacked this mare."
"Ma'am, is that right?" the Royal Guard asked.
"Yes." the mare replied, picking up her bag and putting her money into it, which was scattered across the ground. "This young stallion saved me. Don't arrest him. Let him go please."
"It's them you want to arrest!"
"Yeah!"
"You..." said the other guardspony, coming over to the weak thug, who was lying on the ground. "Get up and dust yourself off. You as well..." he turned to look at his brother, who was struggling to get out from underneath the pile of trash. "You're both coming with us."
"So, I must say..." begun the first guardspony, looking at Storm directly in the eyes. "You did the job of a guardspony back there."
"I did?" Storm raised his eyebrows.
"Yep." the guard stallion replied, before taking the hoofcuffs off Storm's hooves. "Royal Guards are meant to protect innocent civilians from any form of harm. By the way, sorry I put these cuffs on... maybe you'd like to join us one day?"
"Maybe..." Storm mused. "I'm not from Canterlot, though."
"Here you go. If you're interested, feel free to drop by at any time." the guard said, passing Storm a piece of paper. Storm unfolded it and read what it said on it. It took him only a moment to realize that the paper was, in fact, a poster, meant to advertise the Guard. It read:
THE EQUESTRIAN ROYAL GUARD!
RECRUITING NOW AT YOUR NEAREST GUARD OUTPOST. PROTECT THE PRINCESS AND THE LAND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND HONOR.
Hiring now from ages 17 onwards (as of current regulations in effect from Jan. 1, 2004). Part-time positions available.
"So, you interested?" asked the stallion.
"Maybe." Storm smiled. However, inside he wasn't so sure, especially since his dad was probably going to have a say about it.
"Storm, what happened?!" asked Blue in a rather frantic-sounding voice.
"Nothing, nothing. I had to do something to help this mare..." he replied, wiping his forehead with his hoof, which had begun to bleed again. "Blue?"
"Yeah?" she asked, unzipping her saddlebag and taking out a piece of cloth from it, before putting it on his forehead.
"I've been thinking..." he begun. "and I've decided that once I graduate from school...I'm going to join the Royal Guard."
"You are?" she gasped.
"Yep." replied Storm.
"Well, that's great!" she smiled. "I'm really happy for you, Stormy. But...why?"
"Because I feel like I need to protect innocent ponies from harm, Blue." begun Storm. "I don't want them to suffer."
The crowd began to cheer in delight, and Blue caught something on Storm's flank.
"Storm..." she smiled.
"Yeah?"
"There's something on your flank, and I think you'll like it."
"What is it?"
"A gray shield, with a lightning bolt going through it."
"Sweet Celestia..." Storm gasped, turning his head to look at his flank. "My cutie mark..."