MC Ch. 4 The Frightful Introduction

The Maelstrom Chronicles
Chapter 4
Episode 1.6: The Frightful Introductions

A great noise awoke Storm Rider from his slumber. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. His confusion mounted as he didn’t recognize his surroundings. It took a moment for his memories to catch up with him. He had fallen asleep reading in a bedroom located in the roots of the tree library. Being underground, it was kind of hard to tell what time it was. He stuffed an apple in his mouth before running a hoof through his mane and heading back upstairs.

As he reached the first floor, he found most of the town in the tree having a party. He arrived just in time to see a purple unicorn’s face turn beet red. Her purple eyes water as she nearly breathed fire. Her purple mane had two different streaks of pink near the center which whipped behind her as she ran upstairs to the loft. Storm Rider’s eyes widen as he recognized the unicorn.

“Hot sauce,” a little purple dragon read holding a bottle as Storm Rider approached. He had no wings and green round spines running down the length of his body. Pinkie Pie tipped the bottle over a cupcake drenching it in a red sauce. She gobbled the cupcake in one bite like it was nothing. Storm Rider poured a little on a cupcake and ate it. Noticing the cup he whispered to the little dragon,

“She didn’t happen to drink this, did she?”

“Yeah, she did,” Spike answered.

“Why don’t you grab a glass of milk, a glass of ginger ale, and follow me upstairs?” Rider asked after thinking for a minute.

“Why?”

“Let me put it this way,” he said in a calm voice. Rider then commanded in a stern voice, “Your friend needs a glass of milk and a glass of ginger ale, stat!” The little dragon rushed off almost in a panic. He began to ascend the steps as the little dragon caught up to him carrying the glasses. As they opened the door to the loft, they found the poor unicorn running around with tears in her eyes.

“Twilight,” the little dragon cried in concern.

“Better leave this to me,” Rider instructed.

“But…,” the baby dragon tried to protest. Rider managed to get him to set the glasses down and shooed him out with his head. He easily butted Spike out the door. He shut the door behind the little guy and then turned back to the problem at hand. After a moment of thought, Storm Rider charged his horn and sent out a wave of green energy. The poor unicorn was frozen in place.

“Moving around like that is only going to make it worse,” he told her walking up.

“I can’t take it. It won’t stop burning,” she cried.

“Yeah, that’s normal,” he commented releasing her.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Twilight miserably said. Her face almost literally turned green. She tried to hold back the coming mess.

“Wait,” he commanded grabbing an enclosed trash can with his magic. Rider placed it front of her and then instructed, “Okay go ahead.” Twilight plunged her head into the bin and let loose the vile liquid. “That’s it. Let it all out,” he encouraged her while patting her back. She pulled her head from the bin still a little green. “All out?” Twilight weakly nodded. After thinking for minute, he summoned a glass of water. She scrambled to grab the glass. “Don’t drink it.”

“But I want the burning to stop,” Twilight protested.

“Trust me. Water would only make it worse. Just use it to rinse your mouth out,” he instructed. Twilight reluctantly did as he said. After she spit in the bin, Rider used a spell to clean the bin with a momentary look of disgust. He then brought over the glass of milk with his magic. “Drink this instead.”

“What is it?”

“It’s milk. Now drink it slowly.” Twilight let the cool liquid slide down her throat. After finishing the glass, she plopped down with a sigh of relief. “Better?”

“The burn is gone, but my head really hurts,” she whined covering her eyes with her hooves.

“Yeah, that’s not good. Now how did that spell go? Oh, I remember,” Rider said placing his horn near her head. A small emerald light emitted from the tip of his horn for a second. As the light faded, Twilight’s whole body seemed to relax. Storm Rider picked her up with his magic and set her in the bed positioned above the bookcases next to the window. He proceeded up the stairs with the glass of ginger ale in tow. “Here, this will help settle your stomach,” he said setting the glass on the stand next to the bed.

“Thanks, but how did you know that would work?”

“I eat a lot of spicy food. Most experience the burning sensation and stop at that. If it’s too hot, they feel that and have a nose drip. Speaking of which, you may want this,” Storm Rider said bringing a tissue box and a trash can near her.

“Thanks,” Twilight said blowing her nose using her magic.

“Some experience a headache in addition when eating it, although, some ponies become unable to breath.”

“Why would anypony make that?”

“Tolerance varies from pony to pony. What might be nothing to one pony might cause another pony to stop breathing. Milk is usually the best for killing the burn.”

“What about this?” She asked holding up the ginger ale.

“I found it always helps to settle an upset stomach.”

“Thanks but why did you help me?”

“That’s part of what I wanted talk to you about, Twilight,” he said locking the door with his magic. Rider sheepishly added unfolding his wings, “we’ve kind of already met.”

“Prince Hurricane!” Twilight exclaimed scrambling to get in a kneeling position.

“Relax,” Storm Rider commanded using his magic to force her to lay back down. “Look. Nopony knows I’m in town, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

“What do you mean?”

“My brother and I sort of ran away from home,” he explained.

“But why would you run away and to Ponyville of all places?”

“It was actually my brother’s idea. I just caught him as he was leaving and came with him. I still don’t fully understand his reasons. But as for me, it seemed like a great chance to finally make some real friends.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Every day I did nothing but train my body and study different kinds of magic. Those who weren’t put off by my station were usually afraid of my father’s shadow. I could barely get anypony to really talk to me. Even in a crowded room, I was all alone. I was more of a prisoner than a prince. Nopony would even use my real name. When my brother spoke of starting over, I thought maybe I could finally find some real friends, maybe even a very special some pony. So can you keep our secret?”

“Um sure, although, you didn’t need to tell me. I’m leaving here as soon as possible.”

“Why?”

“Ponies around here are crazy. Too many keep going on about friendship.”

“Is that really a bad thing?”

“What’s the point? It’s not like friendship could save Equestria from something horrible.”

“Maybe, but I would at least like to try,” Rider said running a hoof through his mane after unlocking the door. “If everypony thinks I’m a pegasus named Storm Rider, I at least have a chance.”

“Fine,” Twilight groaned. “I won’t say anything about you or your brother.”

“Thank you,” he said descending the steps. “Oh food for thought,” he said from the door. “When things are at their worst, that’s usually when you need others the most. You can’t always do everything by yourself.” Rider let his words sink in as he left. He found the little dragon on the other side of the door. Rider used his head to flip him onto his back when the little guy tried to enter. The prince folded his wings around the little dragon to cage him on his back.

“What are you doing? I have to get to Twilight,” Spike protested.

“Your friend will be fine,” Rider assured him closing the door, “but she needs to rest right now.” He continued down the stairs with the little dragon on his back despite the little guy’s protest. As he reached the lower level, five ponies met him at the bottom steps.

“Everything okay?” Applejack asked with concern in voice.

“She’ll be fine,” he assured her. “She just wasn’t used to food that spicy.”

“I don’t blame her,” Rainbow Dash chimed in. “I hate spicy food. So is she coming back down?”

“Probably not,” I said. “She doesn’t strike me as a very social pony.”

“Well that’s no good,” a white mare pouted. She had a purple mane swirled around itself on one side of her head, and her tail had a similar twist to it. Her eye lids were a light blue that complemented her darker blue eyes with long eye lashes. “How can you have a welcome to Ponyville party without the guest of honor?” There was a moment of pain and annoyance in Storm Rider’s eyes. It hurt that his brother and him were so easily forgotten. The party had all but died. He needed something to reinvigorate this crowd, and he knew it wasn’t him. Rider then got an idea.

“What are you talking about? Tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration. We need to party all night long. Yo DJ, crank that beat.” Pinkie Pie seemed to simply disappear from the base of the stairs and reappear behind the music station. As the music began to play, the party seemed to reignite. “Come on little guy. Get down with your bad self,” Rider said as he bucked the dragon off. He landed on his feet on the table where he skidded to a stop. As the music filled his ears, the little guy started dancing.

Storm Rider hopped off the stairs and wondered over to the snacks station. Licking his lips, he poured some hot sauce on more cupcakes. As he gobbled them down, he noticed the glass of hot sauce Twilight had poured. Rider’s eyes quickly scanned to see if anyone was looking before tossing the straw out of the cup. He made another quick scan before chugging down the whole cup. A burp welled up inside until it erupted from his mouth. Rider couldn’t help but chuckle at the large burp. He quickly noticed he was the only one laughing at it. He tried talking to a few other ponies, but always seemed to drift back in to the shadows. With his crown everyone noticed him, but no one would go near him. Without his crown no one noticed him. Either way he was still alone.

The luster of the party was quickly dying for Storm Rider. He ended up just leaving. He sighed as he flew back to the cloud house more depressed that no one seemed to notice he left. He rifled through the cabinet until he found the peppers he had bought. He lounged on a chair and bit into a pepper. Heat built up inside until he literally breathed an emerald flame. He giggled as he popped the rest in his mouth. He amused himself breathing fire while he enjoyed the peppers. As Rider reached for the last pepper, a giant burp erupted from his mouth loud enough to be heard clear to the ground. Rider’s eyes were watering partly from the peppers and partly from laughing at the large burp. His laughter was short lived as he was still alone. Even as he ate the last pepper and breathed fire, he couldn’t seem to laugh. Noting was going to change unless he tried something different. Reluctantly he glided back down to the party. As he landed, he noticed ponies all heading for town hall. He had missed it. Before he walked away, he spied a particular purple unicorn exiting the library being followed by a little dragon. Storm Rider came alongside the unicorn.

“So did you have a good nap?” He asked Twilight.

“How could anypony get any rest with all that racket, and what is up with your breath?”

“Sorry about that,” he apologized. “I’ve been eating spicy food all night. So how are you feeling?”

“Other than the lack of sleep, I’m feeling better. Thanks for that, um…”

“It’s Storm Rider.”

“Really? Of all the names you could have picked, why did you pick that one?”

“It’s my real name,” he answered a little annoyed.

“I thought your name was Hurricane.”

“It’s more of a title. Honestly, I never really liked it. You seem down. Is something on your mind?”

“It’s just something I read.”

“Do tell.”

“I read something that said Nightmare Moon might escape.”

“Sounds serious. I would have tried to tell Princess Celestia.”

“I tried, but she told me I shouldn’t worry about old mare’s tales and then sent me here to check on preparations for the festival. I was hoping to do some research just in case I was right.”

“Hm. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

“Why?”

“Didn’t Princess Celestia defeat Nightmare Moon and imprison her in the moon almost a thousand years ago?”

“Yes, she did. Legend says on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape.”

“Well consider this. If that’s true, Princess Celestia has had a thousand years to prepare. You really think she doesn’t already have a plan in motion just in case?”

“Well maybe, but why did she tell me to stop worrying about old mare’s tales?”

“I don’t know, but Princess Celestia is very wise. She is also a force to be reckoned with. I wouldn’t worry.”
“I guess,” she said as they took their place on the ground floor of a tall circular room. A few pegasi flapped their wings to keep themselves aloft. Banners hung from the ceiling. A few ponies gathered on a few balconies. Little Spike sat on Twilight’s back for a better view. Pinkie Pie came up to them excited.

“Isn’t this exciting? Are you excited? Cause I’m excited. I’ve never been so excited, well except for the time I saw you walking into town and I was like,” Pinkie ranted pausing to gasp like she had done earlier that day before continuing, “but I mean really who could top that?” Twilight looked a little annoyed at Pinkie’s joy. Rider struggled not to laugh. A choir of song birds singing drew everyone’s attention. They were being conducted by Fluttershy. A spotlight shined on a brown mane. She had a grey mane with a white collar and half-moon glasses. She addressed the congregation.

“Fillies and gentle Colts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration,” the mayor announced. The crowd of ponies cheered. “In just a few moments our town will witness the magic of the sun rise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year. And now it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land.” Rider’s ears dropped at the realization that Celestia was there. He slouched down hoping to blend into the crowd. The mayor continued, “the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria, Princess Celestia.” The curtains opened to an empty balcony above the mayor.

“This can’t be good,” Twilight said with concern in her voice. Rider straighten back up his ear rising.

“Remain calm, everypony,” the mayor assured the gathering despite the worry building in her own voice. “There must be a reasonable explanation.”

“Ow, ow,” Pinkie Pie began jumping up and down, “I love guessing games. Is she hiding?” After checking the back, the white mare that met Storm Rider at the base of the stairs came out and announced,

“She’s gone.” The crowd gasped in fear. Rider’s ears dropped back as he steadied himself. Princess Celestia being missing was a bad sign.

“Ow, she’s good,” Pinkie Pie commented before letting out a scream. A cloud of blue mist formed on the empty balcony. A black alicorn mare emerged from the mist. She bore light purple armor and her blue mane and tail flowed with little white dots like pieces of the night sky. Her green eyes had slit pupils. On her flank was a dark purple blotch with a crescent moon on top.

“Oh, no,” Twilight whispered, “Nightmare Moon.” Poor Spike fainted at the sight of the imposing figure.

“Oh my beloved subjects,” Nightmare Moon addressed the congregation, “it’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious little sun loving faces.”

“What did you do with our Princess?” Rainbow Dash yelled. She would have attacked if Applejack hadn’t held her back, the tip of Dash’s tail in her mouth. Storm Rider suppressed the urge to engage as well. Nightmare Moon simply laughed at her.

“Why am I not royal enough for you? Don’t you know who I am?”

“Ow, ow,” Pinkie Pie excitedly piped in, “more guessing games. Um Hokey Smoke? How about Queen Meanie? No Black Snuddy, Black Snuddy.” She would have continues if Applejack hadn’t shoved a cupcake in her mouth.

“Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?” Nightmare Moon continued ignoring Pinkie’s interruption. “Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?” She asked using her mane to stroke the chin of the white mare on the balcony.

“I did,” Twilight spoke up, “and I know who you are. You’re the mare in the moon, Nightmare Moon.” The crowd gasped at this revelation, except for Storm Rider who stood his ground. Dash also continued to struggle while Applejack held her back.

“Well, well, well,” Nightmare Moon almost complimented, “Some pony who remembers me. Then you also know why I’m here.”

“You’re here to…to,” Twilight swallowed hard unable to bring herself to finish her sentence.

“Yes, oh,” Nightmare Moon said as her attention was drawn to Rider, “and what’s this?” She descended towards Storm Rider. He held his ground while other ponies slinked back a little. “What a handsome stallion, such intense eyes, strong back, and regal demeanor. I could use a stallion like you at my side,” she said stroking his chin with her mane. Storm Rider suppressed his emotions to keep them from showing and held his ground. She got close to his face and whispered, “Join me.” Rider breathed in deep and burped in her face aiming at her eyes. She rubbed her watery eyes as she flew back to the balcony still facing him. She looked at Storm Rider enraged. “Impertinent peasant,” she screamed. “Thou shall pay thin impudence.”

“Please, put it on my tab,” he said with a sly grin his hard eyes still meeting her gaze. Nightmare Moon composed herself before addressing the audience.

“Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever.” She let out an evil laugh as mist swirled above her and lightning cracked around her.

“Seize her,” the mayor screamed, “only she knows where the Princess is.” Three white pegasi garbed in gold armor, royal guards, took flight to take down Nightmare Moon. As they got close, Nightmare Moon shouted at them,

“Stand back you, foals.” Her eyes glowed as a lightning bolt struck each guard. Rider turned around and flapped his wings. Secretly he used his magic to cause a whirlwind to cushion their landing. Nightmare Moon laughed as she became a stream of mist and burst out the door. Applejack finally lost her grip on Rainbow Dash who took up chase after Nightmare Moon. Twilight Sparkle scooped up Spike onto her back and ran from the hall. Storm Rider stayed on her heels as she made a beeline for the library. She proceeded up to the loft to put Spike to bed. She came back down to join Rider as they tore through the library.

“Elements, elements, elements,” Twilight groaned as she pulled book after book to her. Rider had to dodge to avoid being hit by a couple of the books as he scanned the shelves. “How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?” “And just what are the Elements of Harmony?” Rainbow Dash interrogated getting in Twilight’s face. Rider quick ran a hoof through his mane to make sure his horn was hidden. He had been too busy dodging and scanning to notice Dash and the others enter the library. “And how did you know about Nightmare Moon? Huh?” Twilight slowly retreated back from Dash’s questioning. “Are you a spy?” Her last question was almost cut off as Applejack pulled Dash back by her tail.

“Simmer down, Sally,” Applejack told Rainbow Dash. “She an’t no spy, but sure knows what’s goin’ on, don’t you, Twilight?”

“I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon,” Twilight began telling the small group of ponies. It was the same group that had met Rider at the base of the stairs earlier. “Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only thing that can stop her. But I don’t know what they are, where to find them. I don’t even know what they do.” Panic and stress was evident in her voice.

“The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide,” Pinkie read aloud looking at one of the bookcases.

“How did you find that?” Twilight asked bumping Pinkie pie aside.

“It was under ‘E’,” Pinkie Pie almost sang bouncing about. Storm Rider suppressed a chuckle.

“Oh,” Twilight said a little annoyed she over looked something so small. She picked up the book with her magic and read aloud. “There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: kindness, laughter, generosity, honesty, and loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. It is located in what is now the EVERFREE FOREST.”