#partyingrainbows

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PSA Twitter

just a friendly PSA for those that enjoyed HoTH: I run and maintain a twitter devoted to Pinkie pie from hoth, where "she" updates randomly about what had been happening since the tribes became one. it's not much of a twitter account, and it's mostly so I can stay involved with the story long after it's been completed. if you wanna check it out, the account is based after the ORIGINAL URL for PartyingRainbows! twitter: @lgdashandpinkie see you guys! _SplashMod

[partyingrainbows-blog-blog]

filling the queue up for the next while.

[partyingrainbows-blog-blog]

okay

now that the posting of hoth is done there's some news you guys must know PartyingRainbows is no more weird, right? the blog and devart are still up and running. but.... speckles left the group. in case you were wondering, speckles was the only male writer of the group. we were all friends. in reality, shit happened and... he decided to cut ties and be on his way. so yeah. PartyingRainbows essentially is no longer a group. we will never write another story together again, which is a shame because we had so much fun the first time....

[partyingrainbows-blog-blog]

Hypothermia of the Heart Ch18

Each leader lead the group to their individual tribe, displaying the companionship the three different pony races shared. The earth pony tribe was the first stop. The mild-mannered ponies took the news the easiest, and willingly went along with the joining of the tribes.

The unicorn tribe wasn’t so understanding. Platinum’s “a few minutes", quickly escalated into an hour, to explain the situation. Once the tribe saw that neither of the earth ponies nor the Pegasi had attacked at this point they settled.

"Really," Platinum huffed, tossing her royal blue mane. “Do you truly have little faith in my judgment?"

"I would…" Hurricane jokingly muttered. Her amusement evaporated quickly when a green hoof jabbed her in the side.

"Ow!"

Finally, it came time to travel to the pegasi’s tribe. Both Hurricane and Pansy became uneasy, glancing around.

"Never thought I’d be rueful about having a military focused tribe…" Hurricane muttered quietly.

Pegasi were generally quick to anger; the military background on most of them making this far more dangerous than it needed to be for the other two pony races that were following them.

"Just keep close. I don’t want any of the more “excitable" members of my tribe thinking you are challenging them." Hurricane spoke with a serious tone, thinking of Dumbbell and his little gang of troublemakers.

"Understood," Platinum agreed, nudging Clover.

"Ugh…" The green unicorn muttered, turning to inform the tribe. “Keep close."

"Well DUH! A lot of you Pegasi are hotheads! Us earth ponies will do fine, RIGHT Cookie?" Pudding-head chirped, grinning widely.

"You bet, your Chancellorship." Cookie muttered rolling her eyes good-naturedly at her leader.

Hurricane stayed silent, walking past the tribe borders. It was eerily silent, buildings along with various debris littered what was once a bustling pegasi tribe. Her eyes grew wide in panic.

"Oh no!" She whispered, bolting around. “There was a STORM? How did these fall over? Is every pony okay?"

Hurricane searched around broken buildings and fallen roofs as silence became her answer. As she kept fluttering around at the empty village, the other ponies walked up behind Pansy observing the devastated scene.

"It’s like a ghost town in here," Smart Cookie whispered from out of the gloom.

"I know, you could hear every sound something would make if they stepped here." Chancellor Pudding-head took one step; a soft thud resonated throughout the area.

Smart Cookie raised her eyebrow at the brown earth pony as she made accompanying sounds to her hoof touching the ground.

"Shh!" Hurricane quietly growled. Pansy remained close to her commander’s side, looking around.

"The bunker?" She asked.

"Worth a shot."

Rainbow Dash watched as the rest of the tribe gathered the last of their supplies, a smug satisfaction clear across her face.

"Well! We got everything ready in under a week!" She cheered, gliding down to help a foal with a box. “Good job every pony!"

"And you know what THIS calls for!" A bubbly voice exclaimed, suddenly blowing a party horn in the. “A PARTY!"

Various Pegasi groaned, rolling their eyes at the cheerful pink earth pony. Dash chuckled.

"Not yet Pinkie. Let’s wait until we make it to our new home." Pinkie pouted, and nodded from the cyan mare’s friendly decline of a party.

"Lieutenant General Dash!" A large, white pegasi dropped in front of the pegasus with an urgent look on his face. “Commander Hurricane and Private Pansy are back and they are being followed by the earth pony and unicorn tribes!"

"What?" Dash blanched. “Are you absolutely sure?"

The stallion nodded vigorously. Frowning, Dash rushed to the entrance and peered out. Sure enough, she spotted Hurricane and Pansy leading two pony tribes straight toward the bunker.

"What is she doing? She…she made it back from the storm." Rainbow Dash brushed open the door cautiously and stepped out. “Hurricane?"

The Commander’s ears perked at the sound of her name. She recognised that voice.

"Rainbow Dash, you’re safe!" She felt relief rush over her at finally seeing somepony in the tribe. Hurricane began walking forward, but the pegasus stopped as Dash took a defensive stance.

"Hold on!" The cyan mare shouted from in front of the bunker, a serious look on her face. “Before I let you any closer, tell me what they are doing here. They’re not here to hurt anypony are they? Did they hurt you?"

Hurricane looked confused for a moment and glanced back at the earth and unicorn pony tribe leaders. Realisation struck the mare and she gritted her teeth slightly. “Oh yeah, them. Well it’s a funny story…kinda. We agreed to a peace between the tribes."

At this Rainbow Dash relaxed her stance, and she sighed. “Alright. What happened to make you agree to that Hurricane? A raging thunderstorm?"

Princess Platinum trotted forward with her mane whipped back behind her head, “Try a raging Windigo storm."

"Huh?" Dash stared at the unicorn in confusion.

"Yeah, and we were frozen in blocks of ice after they came ‘cause we didn’t cooperate on anything." Chancellor Pudding-head announced loudly to everypony.

The bunker opened wider and out hopped a curious looking pink mare. She gasped as she saw the two earth ponies again, and bounced over to Dash.

"Wow. Hi guys, I never thought I would see you two again. And why are you here anyway?" Pinkie gasped, “Did you get kicked out of the earth pony tribe too?"

"No, they’ve come here to show the unity between all of our tribes." Hurricane answered the mare’s question.

"Then, the storm ended up bring you all together? That’s great, but how did you get all together if you were frozen?" Pinkie tilted her head curiously at the trio of leaders.

Clover the Clever stepped forward, beside Princess Platinum, and retold what had happened within the ice cave. “Oh, well only the tribe leaders were encased in ice while Smart Cookie, Private Pansy, and I kept the spirit of friendship burning."

"Well at least you’re all alright. So you want to speak to the tribe then? They’re all inside the bunker, getting ready to move." Rainbow Dash smiled and nodded her head to the open door.

Hurricane’s eyes widened remembering what she had been so afraid of before. She looked seriously into Dash’s magenta eyes. “What happened here? Is everypony alright? Any injured?"

Dash’s face turned grave for a moment. “Unfortunately, Scootaloo got caught out in the storm and had some serious injuries to her wings and ribs. She was in critical condition for a while. If it hadn’t been for Fluttershy, I don’t think she would still be alive."

Pinkie placed a comforting fore-hoof on the pegasus’ shoulder, and Dash smiled back at her.

"So, you wanna go and see your tribe then Commander Hurricane?" Pinkie asked the pegasi leader, beginning to bounce up and down happily beside her fillyfriend.

"They should know you are okay, Hurricane." Pansy said to the Commander with a gentle nod.

Hurricane kept her eyes trained on the open door, determined to face her tribe and tell them the truth of the situation.

"Okay, remember be cautious. This is a military tribe, so you should all stay back until I have told everypony why you are here." The ponies nodded in reply and Hurricane started into the bunker.

Only Pinkie and the other pegasi walked in with her, to explain what had happened to them in the storm.

"Rainbow Dash, where is Dumbbell and his group of troublemakers? I want to be sure he knows not to mess with the other tribes." Hurricane muttered seriously to Dash, her eyes scanning the crowd for the aggressive pegasus.

"Oh…well…" Hurricane immediately turned to Dash, suspicion filling her as she watched the stuttering pony.

"What happened." Dash flinched away from Hurricane’s demanding tone, lowering her head.

"Well some things happened…and then things moved really fast." Dash spoke waving her forelegs dramatically, “Suddenly, he was on the ground and my hoof was bloody and everypony went all quiet and…"

By now the cyan mare was ranting almost as fast as she flew. Her movements rigid, her eyes avoiding Hurricane’s gaze.

"Rainbow Dash…"

"I didn’t mean to! It was just… Snap!" Dash exclaimed, her magenta eyes wide in panic.

"Lieutenant General. Calm down." Rainbow Dash froze at her commander’s words, looking down. “How did the tribe take it."

"Not good at first…" Dash muttered softly, shifting uncomfortably.

Commander Hurricane sighed heavily, “Well we can’t really do anything about it now…Just be sure the other two tribes don’t hear about it and it will be fine."

Dash sighed in relief.

"But you are still going to be punished for killing a tribe member, no matter how much of a flank he was." Hurricane spoke in a stern voice, “We can’t have foals thinking it’s ok to kill somepony just because they are a jerk."

Dash grumbled to herself, trotting behind Hurricane with a slight scowl. “Hi everypony, it’s been a while." The pegasi leader stood in front of the open door and looked at each pegasus, some squinting to see her through the light from outside.

The pegasi started to whisper amongst themselves. “Is that really Hurricane?" “Did she find us a new place to live?"

"As you can see, Pansy and I survived the storm and have found some new territory for us all to live in," At that the murmurs became louder and more excited, ponies smiled at one another at the new opportunity for a base.

Hurricane stepped into the bunker a little more, grabbing the tribe’s attention once more, “But first I must tell you that we will not be going alone." The ponies looked at each other in confusion and then back at the pegasi leader.

The crowd quieted down and Commander Hurricane glanced over her shoulder. Pinkie and Dash were sitting together next to Pansy, who waved a hoof for her to continue.

Hurricane looked back at the silent ponies and told them how she and the other tribe leaders became trapped together during the storm. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash listened intently along with the other pegasus ponies.

When she finished, the bunker was quiet. Hurricane stood still waiting for the pegasi to start talking, only mumbles entering her perked ears.

"That’s good isn’t it?" Came Pinkie’s cheerful voice from behind the Commander. “Doesn’t that mean nopony has to fight or be mean to each other anymore?"

"It means we can stop arguing with each other and get along." Dash continued, walking forward to stand next to her leader.

Hurricane felt a little stronger, knowing that she had the three ponies’ support and kept going. “Dash has already shown us that pegasi and earth ponies can get along. If we can look past the differences and…little annoyances of the other tribes, we can live together in harmony."

She looked to each pegasi inside the bunker and saw that they were considering the matter quite readily. They still seemed to trust her when she needed them to understand an important situation.

The pegasus ponies began to nod their agreement, and Hurricane smiled. Pinkie and Pansy took their places next to her and smiled brightly at the pegasi leader.

"We have been to the other tribes already to tell them what I have told you. They all agree that we should have peace between us. The earth and unicorn pony leaders are waiting outside, for our decision."

With those words, Hurricane turned and led the pegasi out to meet the two other tribes of ponies.

The two tribes eyed the pegasi warily. They wore offensive weapons and fierce armor that few unicorns or earth ponies even had the chance of seeing, besides the select few that participated in the food exchange.

The worries were nullified by two ponies. One pink, the other cyan. They trotted down to the other tribes, pressed together with friendly smiles on their faces.

If these two ponies could be friendly, why couldn’t they?

Relaxing, the three tribes started tentatively interacting with one another, bonds slowly forming between the three races.

Hurricane smiled at the scene, chuckling at the irony of the situation. A few months ago she would have sent a pony to an institution if they told her she would be partially responsible for uniting the tribes.

A slight shift in movement and suddenly Pansy was pressed against her side, nearly startling the grey mare.

"That was unexpected…" Hurricane smiled, leaning against Pansy with a smile.

"Them agreeing so quickly?" Pansy asked, looking up.

"Exactly…" Hurricane nodded.

The two continued to watch the crowd, enjoying each others company in silence.

"Pansy, listen I’m sorry…" Hurricane began, in a low voice.

Pansy gazed up at her Commander, flicking her ears to show she was listening. Hurricane continued, paying no attention to her surroundings.

"My… behavior wasn’t appropriate. I wasn’t over Blizzard… and I was scared I’d lose you just like I lost him…" Hurricane muttered.

"Hurricane… you could have just said…" Pansy sighed, resting her head against Hurricane’s shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere… I promise, and with the peace between the tribes I’ll always be by your side through anything."

"Yeah… I know…" Hurricane smiled. Her grin faltered, and she glanced down at Pansy, “I… I’m sorry I scared you in the cave…"

"It’s okay… You’re okay…that’s all that matters." Pansy wiggled a little closer to the pegasus, and turned her attention to a group of chattering ponies.

The pegasi leader draped a wing over the smaller mare and lifted her head, observing the ponies around her.

Dash and Pinkie were talking to the earth and unicorn leaders in the center of the crowd.

"Hey so, I’m sorry about calling you names Princess Platinum. It wasn’t cool." Dash rubbed a forehoof against her other as Pinkie watched her apologize.

"Not at all. I accept your apology and I must also apologize for what I said to you." Platinum replied, shaking her head lightly.

"Oh, hi again Chancellor Pudding-head." Pinkie asked loudly, suddenly bouncing up and down in front of the tribe leader. “What have the earth ponies been doing so far without me?"

Pudding-head followed the hopping pony awkwardly. “Um, oh, cold and hungry."

"Hmm, well I guess that would make sense what with it being winter and all." Pinkie placed a hoof under her chin in thought.

Dash’s eyes narrowed at the brown mare, “You seem a bit tense…feeling bad about something?"

"Dashie! Don’t be mean to her! She didn’t mean to be such a grumpy pants!" Pinkie scolded in a sing-song voice, a small smile playing across her lips.

"Fine…" Dash grumbled, reluctantly complying with the pink mare’s request. She eyed the earth pony leader suspiciously as she approached Pinkie Pie.

"I’m sorry Pinkie. I shouldn’t have dismissed you just because you were different from everypony else." Pudding-head looked down at her hooves sorrowfully before finding herself in a bone-crushing hug by a brightly smiling pink pony.

"That’s okie dokie! Everypony makes mistakes!" Pudding-head stumbled backward from the tight embrace.

Huffing in annoyance, Dash began to speak when a bright blue magical aura surrounded her and yanked her over to a well groomed unicorn.

"Darling! Your tail is absolutely gorgeous! You must let me style your mane!" Dash stared at the gushing unicorn in shock.

"Rarity! You can’t just grab ponies just because you think their mane is ‘fabulous’!" A purple unicorn reprimed the white mare with a sharp look. “Sorry about that. I’m Twilight Sparkle, apprentice of Starswirl the Bearded."

Twilight smiled and held out her hoof respectfully. Dash stared at it confused, before bumping the outstretched hoof with her own. Twilight, not expecting the violent move, nearly fell forward from the force.

"Yeah sure…I’m Lieutenant General Rainbow Dash! I’m the best flyer and soldier in all of the land!" Dash posed proudly, grinning.

A few seconds later, a pink pony landed on the cyan pegasi’s back, nearly knocking her on the ground and effectively ruining the impressive display.

"She’s also super duper cuddly!" Pinkie punctuated her point by burying her muzzle into the cyan mare’s neck with a giggle.

"P-Pinkie!" Dash’s voice cracked, an embarrassed blush covering her face. “Wouldn’t you rather make some new friends?"

The two unicorns that had been chuckling at the display froze suddenly when the pink mare’s face shot up, a brilliant grin on her face.

"Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie! I know we are gonna be the bestest friends!" Pinkie leaped off Dash’s back, throwing herself at the two unicorn mares. She enveloped them both in a tight hug, chattering about all the fun they will have together.

Rarity grunted at the force of the impact and pushed herself away from the earth pony. “Well Pinkie Pie, that’s quite the hug you’ve got there."

"Yes…it is." Twilight choked out, still struggling to escape the vice grip of Pinkie Pie. She tried to pull herself free, but just as she did the pink mare let go and the lavender unicorn collapsed onto her back.

"Oh yeah, Mom said I was always good at hugging ponies. Dashie says that too sometimes." Pinkie giggled and looked over at her fillyfriend with a bright grin on her face.

Dash scratched the back of her head and chuckled softly. “Yeah, you are pretty good at that."

"So, is everypony getting along?" Dash’s ears perked at the familiar voice and turned to see Hurricane and Pansy smiling at her.

"Yes Commander. Everypony seems to be getting along quite well with each other so far. Just that-"

Pinkie gasped suddenly, interrupting the cyan pegasus’ response and drawing everypony’s attention to her. “That reminds me. Is Mom and Dad okay? Did they come back when I left?"

Pudding-head shook her head slowly. “Sorry Pinkie. I haven’t seen them in a long time. I’m afraid they must have left all together."

Pinkie visibly drooped at hearing this. Her mane and tale became less poofy and her coat wasn’t as bright as before. “Oh, well…that’s okay I guess." She hung her head. Everypony looked at her sympathetically.

Dash walked over and hugged her tightly, gently brushing her magenta mane with a forehoof. “It’s okay Pinks, I’m sure they would want to see you after all this time. They have to."

Pinkie wiped her snout and smiled at the cyan mare. “Thanks Dashie, you’re really good at cheering me up." She returned the hug and her curls and colors burst back to life in the embrace.

The rainbow-maned pegasus chuckled and pulled away from Pinkie. She turned to face her Commander. “Great, so now that everypony’s got being sappy and apologetic crossed off their list…what are we going to do to bring them together?"

Hurricane nodded and cleared her throat, getting everypony’s attention. “Now that we have an understanding of one another, it is time that each tribe leader brings their tribe to our new land. This won’t be an easy trip, but we should all meet at the same place to begin the journey."

Rarity turned toward Princess Platinum and cleared her throat. “So, this new home. Is it nice? Filled with tons of gems and jewels I hope."

The unicorn nodded her head and flipped her mane. “Oh yes, it is quite lovely. It hadn’t seemed to be hit by the storm…until we got there of course." She looked away guiltily.

"It’s not your fault silly," Came Pinkie’s cheerful voice from in front of her. "…well it kind of is. But what I mean is, it’s not just your fault. It’s really all of ours for not accepting each other for being different, so I guess you are involved in the pony fault process, but you’re not the only pony involved in the-"

"Pinkie!" Dash shushed the pink mare and looked the leader of the unicorns.

"Oops. Sorry, I just meant we’re all at fault here. So you don’t have to be all sad and responsible for it." Pinkie smiled softly at the unicorn and started bouncing lightly in place.

"She’s right Princess Platinum. You don’t need to feel bad for everything that happened." Clover the Clever rested a hoof on the unicorn’s shoulder and nodded at the pink pony.

"No problem." Pinkie whispered to the green pony and bounced off to stand next to Dash again.

Platinum smiled and raised her head to look at both ponies happily. “Thank you Pinkie, for saying that and you too Clover the Clever. I’m sorry I mistreated you both in the past."

"Aww, that’s okay." Pinkie waved a dismissive hoof at the unicorn and kept hopping in place next to the cyan mare.

"Well, I guess we better get our tribes together then." Dash smirked at the crowd and her commander as she flapped her wings and hovered in the sky a little. “We should meet where the mountains intercept each other. It’s right on each of our former borders, so we should all know where that is."

The tribe leaders nodded their agreement and spoke their good-byes. Hurricane lifted herself into the air and hovered next to the cyan pegasus and nudged her, smiling. “Good thinking Lieutenant. I think you would have made a fine leader of the pegasi tribe."

"Thanks Hurricane." Dash smiled and nudged the mare back. Just then both pegasi were tackled from behind by a cheerful pink pony.

"Isn’t this great guys? Now that we’ve solved all our problems, we can live happily together forever after." Her bright voice rung in both ponies’ ears as the shock of the impact subsided.

"Is this what happens to you every time she thinks something is good?" Commander Hurricane whispered to the cyan mare as Pinkie began to release them from her hug.

Dash shrugged and blushed slightly. “The cute way she acts afterwards is worth it."

Pinkie gasped melodramatically and bounced high in the air once. She landed in front of Dash with a huge grin on her face. “You think I’m cute?"

"Uh well…" The cyan pegasus turned away, blushing harder as a smirk came to Hurricane’s face. Pinkie just kept smiling at Dash, which gave the older mare time to step back.

"I’ll just let you two sort out which one of you is adorable and cute while I round up everypony for the long trip." She held back a snicker at the surprised look on Dash’s face as she began to walk away.

"H-hey I didn’t say anything about-"

"Whatever." The dark blue eyed pony said quickly, interrupting the pegasus’ response. “Pansy, help me gather all of the pegasi near the entrance to our camp so we can count if we still have any missing."

"Yes Commander." The smaller pony nodded and spread her wings. She took off from the ground in search of stray pegasi.

Hurricane turned back to Dash and Pinkie and stepped closer. “Lieutenant Dash. You said Scootaloo was injured severely. Where is she now and who is looking after her?"

Dash’s head turned up immediately and stared at the bunker. “Fluttershy’s still in there taking care of her wounds. She looks pretty bad, but I gotta-" Dash felt a forehoof on her shoulder and turned to see Pinkie smiling kindly at her.

Hurricane shook her head at the distraught mare. “Pansy, Pinkie, and I will make sure every pegasi is accounted for. You should go and see how Scootaloo is doing."

Dash rushed off to the bunker, nearly colliding with Fluttershy once she reached the entrance.

Grabbing the timid pegasi’s shoulders, Dash nearly shook her as she spoke. “How is Scootaloo? Will she be ok?"

"She will live…but…" Fluttershy’s eyes drifted down to her hooves, her voice seizing in her throat.

"But what?" Dash asked urgently, squeezing the mare’s shoulders tighter in desperation.

"I…checked her wings…she…will never fly."

An icy feeling creeped into Dash’s chest and clenched tightly around her heart. Looking over at the little filly, tears started to fall silently from her eyes.

"She never got to fly…"

Silently, Dash trotted over to the injured foal. The closer she got the more visible the tears were that covered Scootaloo’s face. Swallowing thickly, Dash layed down next to her, draping a comforting wing around the disabled pegasus.

"H-Hey squirt…" Her voice cracked ever so slightly, “how’re you doing?"

Scootaloo took one trembling look up at her hero before breaking down into heart-wrenching sobs. She clung to the cyan pegasus tightly.

"It’s not fair, Rainbow Dash…I wanted to be just like you. I wanted to matter to ponies…I’m always picked on for being a blank flank..now I’ll just be made fun of for not being able to fly too…and…and…"

Scootaloo buried her face into Dash’s chest, sobbing heavily. Dash carefully held the small filly close, tears of her own mixing with her small companion.

"Scootaloo…you do matter. You matter to me, and don’t you ever forget that." Dash felt the little filly tighten her grip around her torso.

Several minutes went by before Dash emerged from the bunker. Scootaloo carefully resting on her back, Dash’s helmet resting on her head once more. She carefully cradled her wings around the injured filly, keeping her warm and steady on her back. In mere moments, the two were joined by the bouncing pink mare and the two unicorns they had met earlier.

"Couldn’t give them air, Pinks?" Rainbow Dash chuckled, smiling fondly as Pinkie bounced ahead of her, her mane and tail acting as airy and springy as her own personality.

"Why, Darling, we merely followed simply because Miss Pinkie here is such a delight!" Rarity chasted, clicking her tongue in slight annoyance.

Dash glared at her slightly, taking a defensive step closer to Pinkie. “Yeah, well she’s mine, so don’t get any ideas, understood?"

"Lieutenant General!" A stern voice, originating from behind the group, startled the five. They spun around quickly to face the three leaders of the tribes.

"Yes, Commander?" Rainbow Dash asked, feeling the filly on her back shift slightly.

"It seems everypony is here and ready to begin the journey. We should get going, if you and the rest are all set." Hurricane nodded to the filly on Dash’s back and smiled.

The cyan pegasus smiled back. “Yeah, we’re all set. Though I might need to stay on the ground for the whole trip since-"

Pinkie gasped loudly from beside her, interrupting Dash’s explanation and getting everypony’s attention. “You mean you and Scootaloo are gonna be walking there with me? Woohoo! We’re gonna have so much fun, and I can point out all the neat stuff I’ve seen out here to both of you and-"

"Okay, I think we get it Pinks," Dash told her, muffling the pink mare’s long winded speech with a forehoof. She smirked and turned to the group of ponies around her. The two unicorns smiled kindly at the two ponies. A loud high pitched shout startled the unicorns, Rarity in particular groaning in annoyance.

"Sweetiebelle! I told you to stay with mother and father!" She huffed, turning toward the small, cream colored filly.

"But I want to travel with my big sister!" Sweetiebelle whined, staring up at Rarity with large watery eyes.

"Alright…but next time you should stay with mother and father." The white unicorn smiled softly, nuzzling her sister.

Before Pinkie could even think about making friends with Raritiy’s sister the sound of approaching ponies caught the attention of everypony.

Fluttershy and Applejack approached the group, a small pale yellow filly with a bright red mane following behind her.

"Howdy. Figured yáll’d be travelin’ together with Pinkie," Applejack smiled, tipping her hat as she noticed the pair of unicorns. “Howdy. Name’s Applejack. This here is mah sister Applebloom."

"Golly! It’s sure neat to meet some real pegasi and unicorns!" Spotting Sweetiebelle, Applebloom trotted over with a large smile, determined to make a new friend.

"Rarity," the white unicorn frowned, clicking her tongue in disapproval of the country mare’s hat. “Really, Darling?"

Applejack frowned. “What’s the matter wit mah hat?"

A sharp look from Twilight silenced the white unicorn.

"Rarity, not now. My name’s Twilight Sparkle…" Twilight cordially introduced herself, extending a forehoof.

Applejack grinned, taking Twilight’s hoof in her own and shook so hard the purple unicorn vibrated from head to toe.

"Sure nice to meet ya, Twilight!"

Twilight pulled away from the rather violent hoof-shake, her eyes spinning slightly. “T-thats quite a grip you have, Applejack…"

Rainbow Dash grinned at the group of ponies, “Is everypony ready to get going?"

Around her was a chorus of six voices agreeing, accompanied by an enthusiastic whoop from her hyperactive fillyfriend.

Dash grinned.

"Let’s go."

[partyingrainbows-blog-blog]

Hypothermia of the Heart Ch17

"Is she going to be ok, Fluttershy?" Dash stared at the immobile orange filly, concern etched into her face. Fluttershy bit her lip, ears lowering slightly, “Her injuries are pretty bad, Rainbow. Especially with her wings. If she ever recovers…she may never fly."

It felt as if a cold, dead weight dropped into Dash’s gut, " W-why won’t she be able to fly? I broke my wings! I can still fly!"

Tears filled Fluttershy’s eyes from the look of desperation and pain on the cyan mare’s face.

"She’s a growing filly. Her bones haven’t finished developing yet. If she is lucky, then hopefully none of them broke around any of the growth plates." Fluttershy paused. A frown set on her face. “One break in any of the growth plates will ruin her chances at flight, forever."

Dash hung her head, despair filling her. She had promised Scootaloo that she would help her learn to fly when she was old enough.

Determination set on Dash’s face as she stared down at the unconscious filly, “You can do it, Scoot. I know you can, and once you are old enough, I’ll show you how to fly. Just as well as me."

"No no no no…!" Pansy muttered, scrambling away from the advancing ice. “Oh no oh no…"

"And you’re SURE this isn’t unicorn magic?" Smart Cookie asked, scrambling away from the ice statue that was her leader.

"I told you!" Clover exclaimed in panic, quickly scurrying to the center of the cave. “If Platinum couldn’t break the ice it isn’t our doing!"

"If you’re sure…" Smart Cookie murmured, panic tinging her voice.

Pansy glanced around at the ice, looking at everything but the ice encasing Hurricane. “Does anypony know what this stuff is…? I don’t think ANY of the weather teams would have the ability to make something like this!"

She felt her back collide with something. She spun around only to come face to face with the other two. “Well…?"

"It has to be some kind of magic!" Smart Cookie muttered, glancing at Clover. “But if it isn’t unicorn magic, then wha-"

A loud wail interrupted Cookie, making the three scream in confusion. They all looked up to see pale blue creatures rushing around the ceiling, creating icy chills and consuming ice. They looked down at the three pony’s with cold, unforgiving eyes.

"What," Smart Cookie began, turning to look at Clover with wide eyes. “in tarnation are THOSE?"

"I-if I’m not mistaken, those are Windingos..!" Clover gaped in shock up at the mystical beasts.

"I learned about them from my apprenticeship with Starswirl the Bearded. They are magical creatures that thrive off of hatred and in return make the land as cold as the hate they consume." Pansy and Smart Cookie stared up in horrified awe during Clover’s explanation.

"W-well I don’t hate you guys." Smart Cookie muttered earnestly.

"I don’t hate you two either!" Pansy spoke honestly, attempting to move farther away from the fast approaching ice.

"I don’t hate either of you as well." Clover spoke with a terrified waver in her voice. Ice began encasing her legs.

"No matter what." Smart Cookie began, fear thick in her voice as the ice slowly crawled up her body, “We are all ponies."

A small spark ignited between the three ponies as the ice slowly encased their heads. The flicker of warmth concentrated between the three and shot upward through the green unicorn’s horn. A ball of pink flame burst into the air and instantly melted the ice ensnaring the three ponies.

Stumbling awkwardly, the three ponies looked up in shock at the glowing, heart-shaped fire that freed them.

"I didn’t know that unicorns could do that." Smart Cookie was in wide-eyed awe of the blazing inferno.

"No…I think that came from all of us. The kindness and friendship we shared…this is how we will save this land and our leaders!" Clover spoke excitedly, shaking Smart Cookie by her shoulders from her enthusiasm.

Pansy smiled, " I don’t think I hate any of you ponies." Thoughts of how Hurricane treated her recently rushed into her mind, “I actually hate Commander Hurricane more…" Memories of the kind things Hurricane did, along with her apology drifted into her mind, “Well..actually I don’t hate her…I just really really really really dislike her sometimes."

The group of ponies giggled joyfully.

Where… Am I?

Hurricane looked around her surroundings, completely confused. Almost what looked like an ocean of clouds. And snow. Lots of snow. She stood up, feeling as light as a feather.

"Hurricane."

The dark grey mare froze, her body stiffening. That voice, she thought, her eyes growing wide. It was…Him…

She spun around, her eyes landing on the white Pegasus stallion.

"Blizzard!" Hurricane shrieked in joy, racing forward to tackle the stallion. She wrapped her forelegs around him, burying her face into his neck. “Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard!"

"Oof!" Blizzard gasped, stumbling backwards slightly. He chuckled, wrapping a foreleg around the dark grey mare. “Hurricane, you crazy Pegasus…"

"I missed you so much!" Hurricane’s voice was muffled as she buried herself deeper into Blizzard’s embrace.

"I know." He smiled softly.

"Wait…" Sudden fear struck her like an arrow to the heart.

"You aren’t dead. Not yet…" Blizzard sighed, managing to pull himself away. “Hurricane…"

"I’m not dead? Then what…" Hurricane asked, looking around at her surroundings. “Then where am I…?"

Blizzard smiled at her. “Almost dead. Almost alive. It could go either way." He sighed, and shook his head.

"What does that mean?" Hurricane demanded, glaring up at the stallion she loved. “You’re saying I could die or I can live?"

"It depends on how Pansy and the other two react with each other. Speaking of Pansy…" Blizzard began, gesturing for Hurricane to sit. “We should talk."

"What’s to talk about?" The grey mare tilted her head in confusion.

"Hurricane, you can’t keep pushing her away." Blizzard began, looking away from Hurricane at the snow. “I… Love you. I always will. But I’m gone… You really need to accept that."

Hurricane sat frozen, her dark blue eyes wide and hurt. “So… You don’t…"

"Hurricane, you have a long life waiting for you," Blizzard interrupted, looking at the grey mare. “Please live it… For both of us."

"Blizzard…" Hurricane felt her heart clench painfully in her chest at the stallion’s soft words.

"You don’t need to worry about losing Pansy… She’s a tough mare. Determined to stay by you, Hurricane. Don’t be stupid and continue to push her away…" Blizzard sighed, smiling gently at his former love. “Besides, you know it’s hurting you just as much as it’s hurting her… Just please… Hurricane."

"… I love you, Blizzard." Hurricane whispered, looking down and closing her eyes in an attempt not to cry.

"I love you too, Hurricane." Came Blizzard’s gentle reply.

"I won’t ever forget you." A small tear managed to escape, slowly gliding down her face.

"I don’t expect you to." The stallion gently wiped away the tear.

"… Please stay with me…" Hurricane spoke in near whisper, throat dry.

"Always." The stallion gently embraced the grey mare, holding her close.

"I’m going to miss you so much…" Hurricane held him tightly, losing herself in the loving hold.

Blizzard smiled, gently pressing his cheek to Hurricane’s, “So will I, my beautiful Hurricane. So will I…"

Several hours went by before Scootaloo began to stir. Whimpers of agony escaped from the small filly’s mouth, alerting Rainbow Dash. She bolted to the injured filly’s side, gently nuzzling her.

"It’s alright, Scoots. Everything will be alright. You’re safe now." Dash laid down next to Scootaloo, draping her wing over the filly for comfort.

"R-Rainbow…Dash?" Scootaloo croaked out, prying her eyes open to look at her hero. “W-what…happened?"

A small frown formed on Dash’s face, “You got hurt, Scoots. You got hurt pretty bad…" A comforting smile made its way onto Dash’s face as the little filly looked up at her, “You’re safe now, though. That is all that matters."

"Did…you save me?" Scootaloo’s purple eyes shown with emotion as she stared up at Dash.

Instead of gloating like she would normally with a smug grin, she smiled softly down at Scootaloo. “I helped you out from the pole pinning you… But Fluttershy is the one who really saved you. If it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t be here."

Scootaloo scooted closer to Dash, gently pressing against her side. “Thank you Rainbow Dash…You really are my hero."

Dash felt her heart fill with affection for the small filly. She carefully removed her helmet, and placed it on Scootaloo.

"You are my hero, Scootaloo."

"…So it was up to Twilight and I to pull Rarity’s cat away from her!" Clover chuckled, smiling brightly at the two sitting across from her. “It was hilarious, Rarity’s mane was completely destroyed!"

Smart Cookie giggled. “I bet. Probably not better then the one time Chancellor challenged Applejack to a cider drinking contest! Those two got so drunk, Chancellor thought I was a saddle rack!"

Pansy smiled warmly, watching as the two shared stories as if they were close friends. When she was certain neither were looking at her, she quickly glanced at the corner where Hurricane stood, frozen within her icy prison.

"Hey, Pansy?" Clover called out, mildly concerned.

Startled, Pansy jumped and spun around, her eyes wide. “Uh, yeah?"

"You’re really quiet. Is something bothering you?" Clover asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Yeah. You keep looking back at your frozen leader like there was something wrong or… Something." Smart Cookie added, leaning forward. “Y’know you can tell us if somethings wrong, right?"

Pansy smiled a bit, shaking her head. “Nothing’s wrong. Just… Thinking. That’s all. Thanks for being worried!" She tilted her head to the side, thinking. “I don’t have as many funny stories as you two do, anyways. It’s nice listening."

"Oh c’mon it doesn’t have to be funny!" Cookie chuckled, grinning at the mint green mare. “Just a story, any one you can think of."

Pansy thought for a moment. “Hurricane’s known for destroying desks. She’s gone through almost twelve the last month alone."

"Whoa." Clover giggled. “You must need to make really reinforced desks."

"Well… This month, she’s broken four wooden desks, six stone ones, and she’s just started on a metal desk." Pansy smiled fondly, shaking her head. “That, and her office is nearly always in shambles."

"Sounds like Hurricane is a real hot-head." The light yellow earth pony snickered.

"Yeah..she really is." Pansy looked down at her hooves, smiling softly, “She isn’t all bad though. She really cares for her tribe and would do anything for their benefit, even though she goes overboard sometimes. Well… Actually pretty much all the time…"

Looking up, Pansy froze from the knowing looks she got from the green unicorn and the light yellow earth pony.

"W-what?"

"You like Hurricane, don’t you?" A small smirk formed on Cookie’s face.

"So…" A bright blush bloomed on Pansy’s face.

A small frown settled on Clover’s face, “This must be really hard for you… I’m sorry."

Pansy swallowed thickly. Turning to look at Hurricane, a hollow feeling filled her, “I hope she’ll be ok…"

"Well we better hurry up and melt the ice faster then!" Smart Cookie slung her foreleg around Pansy good-naturedly, startling the mint green pony.

"How?" Pansy tilted her head curiously at the proudly smiling earth pony.

"We could come up with a song! That would be fun, right?" The brown eyes of the earth pony darted between the two ponies, waiting for their input.

"That sounds like fun! What should we sing about?" Clover smiled, excited.

"We…could come up with our own song. Something we can create together." Pansy rubbed her hoof to her chin, “But what should it be about?"

"Oh I know! How about our new friendship!" Smart Cookie spoke with elation, “We could call it…the friend-zone!"

Pansy and Clover stared blankly at Smart Cookie. “What?"

"You know, because we are in the friend-zone." The yellow earth pony smiled.

"But…we don’t even have the lyrics for the song yet." Clover tilted her head in confusion,

"Oh… well, lets come up with lyrics first and then name it?" I meek grin formed on Cookie’s face.

"That sounds like a great idea." Pansy grinned brightly at the two, looking forward to the song they were going to create.

Rainbow Dash returned her helmet to her head as the small filly drifted off to sleep. Smiling thankfully down at the filly, Dash carefully pulled a blanket over her before slipping away quietly.

She was nearly a yard or so away when a pink blur slammed into her, giving her the tightest hug she ever had.

"Oh Dashie, you were so cuuuuute!" Pinkie gushed as she squeezed the cyan mare against her chest.

"P-Pink…c-cant…" Dash gasped out, in the bone crushing embrace.

"Oopsie." Pinkie loosened her grip with a sheepish smile, nuzzling Dash lovingly against her cheek.

"You are soooo good with foals, Dashie! How did you get so good?" Pinkie smiled brightly, tilting her head with a questioning glimmer in her eyes.

"It’s because I’m awesome! How else would I be their hero?" Dash replied with an arrogant grin.

"You are so right, Dashie!" Pinkie crushed Dash to her chest again, “You would be a great parent when we have foals of our own!"

"Wha… foals… own?" You could hear the gears in Dash’s brain grind to a halt from Pinkie’s words.

"Rainbow Dash!" Applejack called out, rushing toward the embracing ponies, cutting off Pinkie’s response.

"Huh?" The cyan pony squeaked out, her brain slowly working its way back to full power.

"The storm outside! It’s startin’ to let up!" Applejack grinned, “I can go back to mah tribe and check on mah family!"

"Woah there AJ. Just because it sounds like it’s letting up doesn’t mean it’s safe." Dash spoke seriously, “It could become dangerous at any time and you live too far away to make it safely!"

"Now jis hold on an apple pickin’ minute. Mah family needs me! Ain’t no way I’m stayin’ here while they suffer!" The orange mare growled out, eyes narrowed.

"I think they would rather you be alive than found dead halfway between tribes, Applejack!" Dash snorted, glaring at the stubborn mare.

"Rainbow is right, Applejack," Fluttershy approached, attempting to calm the small quarrel, “Nopony wants to see you hurt…or worse."

Applejack huffed in annoyance, “Fine…but the minute it’s safe, I’m goin’!"

Dash grinned victoriously, " Relax AJ, I’m sure your family is someplace safe."

"Yea.. I reckon they are too. The Apple family is too tough to let a lil’ storm take us out!" Applejack stated proudly.

"WOO! We should have a party!" Pinkie bounced in place excitedly, her grip on Dash tightened in excitement.

"What kind of party could we have in here?" Dash questioned, trying to calm down the excitable mare.

"A the storm is starting to go away party of course!" Pinkie beamed brightly, already planning the party in her head.

"Why don’t we wait until the storm is over? Then it can be a big the storm is gone away party." Dash suggested, amused.

Pinkie gasped loudly, earning several odd looks from the nearby pegasi.

"You are soooo smart, Dashie!" Pinkie’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, “I better start planning right away!"

The pink mare shot off, releasing Dash suddenly. The cyan mare in question dropped to the floor like a rock. She chuckled good-naturedly, a fond smile forming on her face.

"You are so random, Pinkie Pie."

"Alright I think we did it!" Smart Cookie smiled happily.

They had debated over the lyrics of their friendship song for hours. Parchment littered the cave floor from Clover crumpling them up in frustration. The ink well and quill were held delicately by softly glowing magic.

"What should we name it?" Pansy asked curiously, reading over the lyrics.

"Circle of Friends?" Cookie said, a little unsure. With the last song name rejected she was a little more nervous about this one.

After a little thought, Pansy and Clover broke out large grins, “That is a great name Cookie!"

The yellow earth pony beamed at the praise. “We should sing it! It will be so much fun!"

Pansy nodded excitedly. The feeling of something amazing would happen filled her. She took a second to glance at Hurricane’s frozen form. She really hoped that the grey mare would be ok.

Clover was a little apprehensive, “I’m not much of a singer…"

Pansy smiled kindly to the green unicorn, “You will be great, Clover."

"Yea! What Pansy said!" Cookie nodded earnestly, a hopeful gleam in her brown eyes.

With a soft sigh, Clover nodded with a soft smile gracing her face. Both earth pony and pegasus cheered, stomping their hooves on the ground joyously. The three ponies huddled together as the parchment hovered just in front of them.

The fire of Friendship lives in our hearts As long as it burns, we can not drift apart! Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few

The ice covering the cave walls and floor began melting rapidly, receding back as if it was a burned creature attempting to escape a fire. The Windingos howled in anger, attempting to pour more power into the ice and overcome the trio.

Laughter and singing will see us through! (Will see us through!) We are a circle of pony friends A circle of friends, we’ll be ‘til the very end!

The strength of the three ponies’ friendship exploded throughout the cave. Whimpering in agony and defeat, the Windingos transformed into a deadly mist and vanished through the cracks in the cave walls.

The icy prisons began melting rapidly, slowly freeing the leaders from the head down. Each pony rushed to their respective leader, concern growing in their hearts as they approached.

Pudding-head was the first to be released. Dropping heavily to the ground, she was unconscious yet her vitals were still working just as strong as ever.

Smart Cookie sighed in relief, “Good thing earth ponies are able to handle harsh and brutal treatment."

Platinum broke free second, Clover’s green magic catching her before she fell to the ground. Her breathing was shallow and heartbeat slow. Clover immediately wrapped the unconscious unicorn in her ruined garment and focused her magic within the mare, coaxing her heart to speed up to normal speeds and her breathing to become deeper.

Finally, the last of the ice that had ensnared Hurricane melted away. Pansy barely had time to catch the grey mare as she collapsed. Checking her vitals, Pansy felt terror fill her.

Hurricane wasn’t breathing.

Hurricane felt completely at ease snuggled up agaibst Blizzard, her dark blue eyes closed with content.

Blizzard had explained he didn’t know how long it would take for Hurricane to wake up, saying that time worked differently here then in the living world. It didn’t matter to Hurricane… The more time she got to spend with Blizzard, the better.

Most of the time was spent in comfortable silence. The rest Hurricane talked, filling Blizzard in on minor things that had happened to the tribe since he died.

"… And it was a huge surprise when the placement school’s principal told me they were placing a filly in early!" Hurricane chatted, smiling up at Blizzard. “I mean, she was barely in the school a week!"

Blizzard smiled good naturedly, kissing Hurricane’s forehead. “You taught her well, Hurricane. Even with your slip up…"

"… Was she here? Rainbow Dash’s best friend said she had severe wounds…" Hurricane’s eyes shown with guilt.

"I saw her. She was struggling on her own," Blizzard confirmed, looking ahead of him. “Her family wanted to help, but they knew she needed to do this on her own."

"I can’t believe I almost killed her…" Hurricane mumbled, closing her eyes. “She’s pretty much my daughter and I almost killed her…"

Blizzard remained silent, gently nuzzling the dark grey mare’s cheek. “Ponies make mistakes, Hurricane."

Hurricane remained silent, leaning against him. "… I feel weird."

"Pardon?" The white stallion looked down at her confused.

The grey mare frowned, looking up. “Something isn’t… Right?"

"Hurricane…" Blizzard frowned, looking up. “Hurricane you’re…"

"Dying?" The question came out in a near whisper.

The white stallion froze, his eyes wide. “Hurricane, you have to wake up!"

"You don’t want me to stay…?" Hurricane asked, her dark blue eyes wide with hurt.

"Hurricane think! Do you really want to die?" Blizzard begged, his voice almost frantic. “Do you really want to leave Rainbow Dash, who thinks of you as her mother? Are you absolutely su-"

"Lieutenant General will be fine without me." Hurricane’s eyes hardened, no trace of doubt in her voice.

"Do you really want to leave the mare who loves you, Hurricane…?" Blizzard asked, looking down sadly at Hurricane. “I’m not worth anything compared to her, Hurricane. I mean… I love you…but are you so sure you want to leave Pansy…?"

Hurricane opened her mouth to argue. She froze, tears welling up in her eyes. “I-… I don’t know…"

"You need to decide, Hurricane. You’re running out of time."

Pansy desperately pounded on Hurricane’s chest, tears flowing heavily from her eyes. She desperately tried to restart the dark grey mares heart, pausing long enough for mouth to mouth resuscitation.

The earth pony leader had already woken up, but was struck silent at the heartbreaking scene between the two pegasi. Clover could barely focus on tending to Platinum, whom was slowly coming to. She wanted to help, but she was still needed to keep the white unicorn’s pulse at a regular rate, at least for a while.

"Hurricane, please!" Pansy sobbed heavily, pressing down on the grey mare’s chest rapidly. She stopped long enough to press her ear to the grey mare’s chest, fighting back another heart-wrenching sob. There was no pulse.

"Hurricane, no…I love you.." Pansy choked out, renewing her efforts to revive the fallen mare. After several grueling minutes, Pansy collapsed onto Hurricane’s chest, sobbing.

Everypony bowed their heads, tears trickling down their faces. The pain and anguish Pansy felt became their own.

A small beat startled Pansy. Immediately pushing her ear to Hurricane’s chest, she strained herself. Listening. Hoping.

A tentative heart beat was heard along with soft breathing. Pansy nearly cried out in joy.

"P…Pan…Pansy…" Hurricane rasped out, only loud enough for the smaller pegasus to hear.

"Y-yes, Hurricane?" Pansy shifted, moving herself so she was staring directly at Hurricane’s face. Her ears perked, ready to hear anything the grey mare had to say.

Hurricane creaked open her eyes slowly, locking dark blue with purple.

"I love you too."

Pansy lunged forward, locking Hurricane in a desperate and heartfelt kiss. She trembled, tears of joy streaming down her face. Hurricane wrapped her forelegs around Pansy weakly, tears of her own gliding slowly down her face.

"The storm is lifting everypony!" Cried a pegasus soldier from the door to the bunker.

Rainbow Dash looked up from the softly sleeping Scootaloo to stare at the outside, visible from the open door. “It’s about time. Fluttershy, you good here while I look around for Pinkie to tell her the good news?"

"Of course Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy nodded kindly. “I’m sure she’d enjoy hearing that from you."

Dash smiled at her friend and turned to address the pegasi tribe. “Alright everypony. It looks like the storm has finally dissipated, so soon we will return to our land and finish packing. In case it starts up again, we will be on high alert until I am able to check the weather conditions."

The ponies nodded their understanding and wandered to the door, quietly discussing their plans. With that, the cyan mare began fluttering around looking for Pinkie Pie. It wasn’t a very large bunker, just enough for the populace of the pegasi tribe, so it shouldn’t take too long to find the pink mare.

After a few minutes of searching, however, she was just about to think otherwise on the time it would take when the sound of rushing hooves met her ears before whatever it was tackled her from behind.

The pegasus fell to the ground with a thud. The smell of cupcakes wafting in the air. Lifting her head up in a daze, she saw a few strands of pink mane dangling in front of her eyes.

"Hiya Dashie!" Pinkie shouted from atop Rainbow Dash.

Dash rolled herself over to look up at the pink mare in confusion and awe. “P-Pinkie? How long… where did you come from?"

"Oh, I was just coming from baking a batch of cupcakes for everypony." Pinkie stated simply, a proud smile on her face.

"Cupcakes? But… but how could you? We’re in a bunker." Dash stared up in confusion. The bunker didn’t have an oven, at least she didn’t remember one.

"Hmm, then how did I get these cupcakes?" Pinkie pulled a pan full of cupcakes, seemingly out of nowhere and presented them to Dash.

"I…I don’t. What have you been doing this whole time?" Dash stared blankly at the pan, attempting to comprehend the anomaly she was just presented with.

"Oh, I was looking for things we could use at the party. I managed to find some streamers and a few party poppers." Pinkie beamed brightly at the cyan mare.

"How?" Dash threw up her hooves in exasperation, staring pleadingly at Pinkie for an explanation.

"Oh that’s silly Dashie. How I find everything I use to throw parties," Pinkie giggled and backed up off of Dash, allowing the cyan mare to stand on her hooves again, “So Dashie. Has the weather changed outside yet?"

Dash looked down at the tray of cupcakes that now rested on the floor of the shelter. The dumbfounded pegasus then shook her head and focused back on the pink pony in front of her.

"Oh yeah, it should be fine now. I’m just about to take a look for myself, but i wanted to come and find you first."

Pinkie tilted her head to the side in question at Dash. “Really? Why’d you wanna do that Dash?"

"Oh, well I just wanted to tell you first and stuff. I thought you would like to know so we can have a real party outside…and in a place where you can cook things." Glancing back at the tray of sweets, Dash chuckled to herself.

"Aww, that’s sweet of you Dashie. Okay, let’s go." Pinkie started bouncing forward, stopping in time to look back at Rainbow Dash.

"What do you mean?" Dash asked, staring in confusion at the pink mare.

Pinkie smiled at the cyan pegasus and trotted closer to Dash. “Well, now that you’ve got me interested too. I want to see if it’s safe outside too, so I’m going with my Dashie."

Dash grinned widely and walked forward, ruffling her feathers slightly and standing up proudly. “Okay then. Shall we?"

Pinkie Pie nodded and turned to saddle up next to Dash, smiling around at the ponies and grinning back at her fillyfriend. “Yep."

Snickering back in return, Dash started walking to the entrance with Pinkie bouncing softly next to her.

"So Pinkie, do you think you can get all of the ponies here to come to your party?"

"Of course silly. I’m Pinkie. The best party maker out of all earth ponies." Pinkie stated proudly, with a giddy smile.

"Hehe, you’re probably the only party making earth pony in that tribe." Dash nudged Pinkie playfully, a soft smile on her face.

"Yeah…so…do you really believe I’m a part of this tribe now Dashie? I mean pones give me looks when I act all bouncy around them." Pinkie spoke softly, her voice a mixture of hope and concern.

"Well heh, it’s not that. It’s just something they aren’t used to. Hurricane had them all so strict and stiff natured that…well a pony like you isn’t something they get." Dash gave Pinkie a reassuring grin.

Pinkie nodded slowly, her curious eyes locked on to Dash’s as the cyan mare explained the tribe’s hesitance to trust her.

"I’m sure they’ll all accept you in time, Pinks. Don’t worry okay?" Dash stated confidently.

Pinkie leaned slightly on Dash and nuzzled her neck calmly. “Okay Dashie. I believe you."

Feeling a rush of emotions Rainbow Dash lowered her head onto Pinkie’s mane and nuzzled her back. Members of the tribe still stared in slight disbelief at her actions, but Dash and Pinkie didn’t notice. They were relaxed in each other’s gentle caress.

"Hey ya’ll!" A voice cried from the side. The two ponies had reached the door and turned to see an orange earth pony trotting toward them.

"Hey Applejack. Whatcha doin’?" Pinkie tilted her head to the side quizzically at the blonde mare.

Applejack stiffened a little at the innocent question and dug a hoof into the ground. “Oh ah was jus’ waitin’ fer you guys ta show up…so ah could say a proper goodbye."

"What’s the matter Applejack? Aren’t you happy that you can go back to your family now?" Dash asked, a mixture of concern and amusement in her voice.

"Well sure as hay I am. No question…but…ah guess ah jus’ didn’t wanna leave without saying so. Ah’ll miss yah’ll." The orange mare spoke softly, smiling sadly at the two mares.

Pinkie walked forward and wrapped her hooves around the orange pony in a reassuring hug. “Awww, Applejack, don’t be silly. You can come and visit us anytime you want. Just like you did with me when I was all by my pony lonesome in the cabin."

"Well shoot sugarcube, ah’d be happy tah stop by if ah get the chance." Applejack returned the embrace, smiling.

"Before Hurricane comes back with the news to leave that is." Dash stated roughly as she looked to the closed door of the building.

"Oh…I guess I forgot about that." Pinkie stated sadly.

"Aww, it’s alright Pinkie. Maybe ah can stay fer a little bit and come with ya when yah’ll leave with Hurricane. Jus’ tah maybe get an idea of where ya live." Applejack grinned at Pinkie, draping a friendly foreleg around Pinkie’s neck.

"Oooh neat! That sounds like a great idea, and we can have a quick party to celebrate!" Pinkie bounced with excitement, her mind working three times as fast, coming up with new ideas for a party.

Rainbow Dash chuckled at the pink mare’s enthusiasm and turned her attention to the two guard pegasi at the door. “Alright you two, let’s see if things have cleared up enough."

Hurricane watched as the five other ponies talked with each other, pain gnawing at her heart. She did something she swore she’d never do in her life. She had left Blizzard.

Her eyes drifted over each member of the odd group, noting the mild changes in each of the other leaders. We were all frozen, Hurricane thought, finally looking at Pansy. What froze us…?

Pansy stayed beside Hurricane, leaning against her a little.

"I’m sorry… Pansy." Hurricane spoke softly, avoiding the other mares gaze.

"For what, Commander?" Pansy asked, looking up at Hurricane with confused purple eyes.

"… I’ll tell you on our trip back to gather the tribe…" Hurricane draped a large grey wing around Pansy, eyes glazed over in thought. Pansy smiled softly and shifted closer to the grey mare.

"Oh! Hey! I had a genius idea!" Pudding-head exclaimed, bouncing up while pulling the two other leaders towards her. Pansy nearly fell over from the sudden absence of the large grey mare. “Since we all pretty much find this amazing land, how about we all-"

"Live together, in harmony!" Platinum interrupted, tossing her mane behind her. “Yet I still vote we call it Unicornia."

Hurricane glared at Platinum, yet began to think. “A land where we ignore our own specific tribes needs and focus in the main problems for all three together. Where ponies are free to chose what they want to do, not what they’re forced to…"

"What would we call it?" Smart Cookie asked, looking at the three leaders in disbelief.

Each leader looked at the other, sharing an almost knowing look before returning their attention to the three mares.

"Equestria."

[partyingrainbows-blog-blog]

Hypothermia of theHeart Ch16

Hurricane and Pansy started their trip early the next day. Saddlebags full of supplies they took to the air immediately. Hurricane made a conscious effort to stay several hooves away from Pansy at all times. Dark, heavy clouds hung above them ominously while heavy winds pushed the two pegasi back as they flew. It seemed the harder they fought against the weather, the worse it got. Eventually snow and small chunks of hail rained down on them heavily, making it almost impossible to see.

Both pegasi struggled against the onslaught of wind, snow and ice. Pansy, being smaller and more lightweight, was knocked backward by a particularly strong gust of wind. Spinning out of control, she squeezed her eyes shut in terror as she attempted to stop her rapid decent.

Strong forelegs snatched her out of the sky and held her close to a dark grey chest. Pansy found herself looking up in shock at Hurricane, whom continued to battle the storm in search of shelter. Spotting a cave, Hurricane descended quickly into the temporary shelter.

"I think we will be safe in here." Hurricane peered out of the cave, unaware that she was still protectively embracing Pansy.

Heart fluttering in her chest, Pansy wrapped her forelegs tightly around Hurricane and buried her muzzle into her dark grey chest. Hurricane froze at the movement, emotions warring violently within her. A few moments passed before Hurricane regained composure and ripped herself away from Pansy.

Pansy nearly fell flat on her face from how fast Hurricane shot away from her. Sitting up slowly, Pansy glared heatedly at Hurricane, whom at the moment was completely on the other side of the cave, breathing heavily.

"Although I appreciate being saved from falling to my death, I don’t appreciate nearly breaking my muzzle because somepony is jumpy." Hurricane winced slightly at the scathing remark.

"…Sorry…" Hurricane muttered out just loud enough for Pansy to hear.

"Awwwww…but why?" Pinkie pouted as she looked at Dash with big sad eyes.

Feeling guilty for upsetting Pinkie, Dash gently nuzzled the pink mare, “I know Pinks. It’s for the best though. It’s getting way too dangerous to live here."

"But Dashie! I almost have everything properly planned out!" Pinkie sighed, looking around. “See?"

Rainbow Dash looked around, eyeing the decorations Pinkie had placed everywhere. Warm colours were splashed on the walls, balances out with bright, cool colours on the furniture. “I’m so sorry, Pinks… I tried explaining to Hurricane but…"

"It’s okay… Just means I’ll have a tooooootally new house to decorate, right?" Pinkie spoke, brightening up dramatically.

"Yup!" Dash nodded, a relieved grin forming on her face, “Want to come do some combat training with me? We’re saving the gym for last in packing, so we should be fine."

Pinkie bounced up, nodding eagerly. “You should teach me to fight better! I could be even MORE help to your tribe if I could fight like you!"

Dash paused, looking at the pink mare. “Pinkie, this is your tribe too…"

"Other ponies here keep giving me dirty looks when you aren’t around…and this one brown colt keeps throwing things at me." Pinkie looked down sadly.

"Dumbbell…" Dash growled out with a frown. “He just doesn’t know when to stop being such a feather-head!"

Storming out of the home, intent on giving Dumbbell a new facial scar as well as some broken bones, a pink blur flashed in front of Rainbow Dash and grabbed her in a tight embrace.

"Please don’t start a fight, Dashie. You are better than that and you aren’t even fully healed yet." Pinkie tightened her grip on Dash, hoping to calm the irate pegasus.

Sighing in frustration, Dash gently returned the embrace, “Fine…but if I ever see him or anypony else throw things at you or treat you like dirt…I won’t be responsible for my actions."

Pinkie giggled, “I know, Dashie."

Awkward silence filled the cave for several hours, tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. Both pegasi sat on opposite ends of the cave, shivering violently from the harsh icy wind that blew into the mouth of the cave.

Pansy, being much smaller, was starting to black out from the intense cold. Dropping to the cave floor heavily, she struggled to keep herself alert and aware. Sharp stabs of icy numbness slowly creeped up her legs, her breathing becoming shuttering gasps.

Terror filled Hurricane’s eyes as she watched the small mare collapse weakly to the ground. Without a second thought, Hurricane rushed over to the trembling mare, pulled her behind some rocks to keep some of the wind off her, removed her armor and laid on top of her.

Hurricane tucked herself tightly around Pansy, sharing as much body heat as she could. Carefully shaking her helmet off, Hurricane tucked her head next to Pansy’s, resting her cheek against the green pony’s. Pansy unconsciously pressed her cheek against Hurricane’s, soaking in as much warmth as she could.

Pansy slowly warmed up with each passing minute, her violent shivers replaced with slight trembles. Hurricane shivered from the onslaught of freezing wind, tensing up around the smaller mare and huddling closer to get warm.

They had a long night ahead of them.

"Jus’ what in the hay is goin on here?" Applejack trotted through the pegasi tribe, eyeing all the ponies rushing around and gathering up things into crates and carts.

"APPLEJACK!" Was the only warning the orange mare had before being tackled into the ground with one of Pinkie’s famous hugs.

"Oh my gosh! I’m sooo glad you are here! Mine and Dashie’s home is all built and I nearly finished decorating!" Pinkie wore a bright smile that slowly faded into a pout. “But now we have to move."

"Wait huh?" Applejack face was the picture of confusion.

Pinkies bounced, nodding cheerfully. “Hurricane decided that it was too dangerous for the Pegasi to stay here anymore, so she and Pansy are out looking for a new place to live!"

"Really? Chancellor Pudding-Head got the same idea! Both her n Smart Cookie left a few days ago." Applejack paused, a thoughtful look forming on her face, “Ah wonder if the unicorns are doin’ the same thing?"

A loud amused snort sounded above the two earth ponies before a cyan pegasus dropped to the ground next to them.

"Are you serious? Princess Platinum would be too afraid to chip a hoof before even thinking about searching for new land."

Applejack snickered, “Yea, yer right, Rainbow. Them unicorns are too prissy fer that stuff."

The orange earth pony slung her foreleg good naturedly around Rainbow Dash as they devolved into a heavy fit of laughter. A few seconds went by before Pinkie joined in on the laughter, rolling around on the ground with glee.

"Why are we laughing?" Pinkie managed to spit out in between hearty giggles.

Before anypony could answer, a panicking weather pony dropped next to Dash, “Lieutenant General! There’s a huge storm coming straight towards us at an unbelievably rapid rate! We can’t control it no matter how much we try!"

Dash immediately sobered up from the laughter, “Warn everypony! Inform them to gather in the Safety Bunkers immediately!"

Saluting, the shaken up colt shot off immediately. Dash turned to the two earth ponies, a grim expression on her face.

"There is no time to waste. Help me gather up the foals and the elderly, they will have the most trouble making it to the Bunkers safely." Dash eyed the pegasi that pushed and shoved each other out of the way in an attempt to make it to the bunkers.

"But…they might not want help from an earth pony." Applejack spoke, a worried tone in her voice.

Dash looked straight into Applejack’s eyes pleadingly, "…I…really need your help…" She shifted her attention to Pinkie, whom was staring at her with a stern expression, “Please."

The orange mare looked taken aback for a moment, before a focused look came over her. Applejack nodded quickly. “You got it Rainbow Dash. Pinkie, ah’ll get the pegasi on the North and West side of the camp and yah’ll can get the pegasi on the South and East. This storm’s already comin’ in."

The three mares look into the sky and see the icy blackness surrounding the pegasi camp. Dark clouds enveloping the clear blue in a thick fog and snow and ice began to fall from it, the wind suddenly picking up and whipping around anything that isn’t secured to the ground.

"C’mon Pinkie, we’ve gotta get a move on!" Applejack shouted hurriedly, trying to be heard over the howling winds blowing in from the storm.

Pinkie nodded silently and watched the mare rush off with an old mare and her grandcolt. Her expression stiffened and she turned to face the cyan pegasus.

"I know I can’t talk you out of doing anything for your tribe, Dashie, but please be careful while doing it okay?" Pinkie stepped forward and nuzzled Dash’s cheek before sprinting off to be shrouded from view in the fog coming from the East end.

"Don’t worry Pinkie, I will be." *****

The density of the storm was far greater at the cave Hurricane and Pansy were trapped in. It had been several hours since the green mare had collapsed, and she seemed to be recovering from the blinding cold, but the weather showed no signs of clearing up.

As the cool winds buffeted the rock Hurricane had chosen as protection. The larger mare began to feel a bit hazy, her vision beginning to blur from stress. The only thing that kept her awake was the thought of keeping Pansy warm and away from the icy temperatures from outside.

"Hur-Hurricane…" The small pegasus whispered from the grey mare’s embrace.

Hurricane held Pansy closer beneath her and drew her wings down to cover her body more. Kissing Pansy lightly on the cheek, Hurricane spoke softly, “Don’t worry Pansy… I’m not leaving you… Not this time." *****

"Everypony inta the bunker quick! The storm’s gettin’ close!" Applejack now had to scream out to be heard over the fierce winds of the storm.

She had managed to gather all of the pegasi, some with a little more difficulty to persuade given that she was an earth pony. But once she had gotten the ponies to notice the black clouds in the sky they seemed much more agreeable to the idea of listening to her.

The door to the bunker was about to close when Applejack spotted a pink blur coming from the misty side of the camp.

Two pegasi were quickly slamming the door shut, but the orange mare shot up to them and pointed their attention at the rapidly approaching ponies.

"Hi Applejack!" Pinkie chirped from inside the crowd. She leaped from the front and landed before the orange mare, smiling brightly and looking out at the ponies she had gathered. “I got all the pegasi I could find and brought them straight here. Uuuum well ,I might have stopped a little on the way for some snacks, but I just told everypony we’d have to get here quicker."

"It’s okay sugarcube, jus’ get them ponies in fast so we can get outa this freezin’ storm." A small amused smile creeped onto Applejack’s face from the pink pony’s antics.

As the last of the pegasi came from the fog, Pinkie began to look around uncomfortably. She stepped away from some appreciative ponies to step up beside Applejack, unusually quiet for her normally bouncy nature.

"W-where’s Dashie?" Pinkie asked as all the ponies rushed in through the doors of the shelter.

Applejack shrugged. “I ain’t seen her since we left a while back." At the worried poster Pinkie took from hearing that, the orange earth pony threw her hoof over Pinkie’s back reassuringly. “C’mon now Pinkie. You know Rainbow Dash better than that. She won’t let a storm like this get her anymore."

Pinkie managed to smile at the earth pony’s encouraging words. “Thanks Applejack." *****

Dash stood perched on a hill near the shelter, guiding some foals to the shelter. Her eyes shifted from pony to pony until she saw a pink mare and an orange mare standing together outside the door.

"Good work you two. I knew I could count on you both. Whether you want it or not, I think you’re already a part of this tribe." Her magenta eyes stayed locked on the pink pony until she heard a soft shout of pain from her left.

Turning her head away quickly from Pinkie, Dash squinted into the storm and spotted movement from far away. Her heart sank as her vision cleared from the storm. “Is that… Scootaloo!"

In the distance, a small orange and purple dot appeared to be struggling violently against something. Without a second thought, Dash flew straight into the harsh, heavy blowing winds to reach the poor filly. Her stomach wounds stretched and twisted painfully as Dash pushed herself through the violent weather.

The closer Rainbow Dash got, the easier it was to see what was pinning Scootaloo down. A large wooden beam from one of the ruined food storage buildings had been torn off by the strong wind and was pinning the filly to the ground.

"R-Rainbow Dash…Help!" A pained plea came from the small orange filly, small trails of blood dripping from her nose.

Rushing over to the beam, Dash strained to lift the offending object. Her injuries screamed in protest as she slowly lifted the beam up high enough for Scootaloo to crawl out. Panting heavily, Dash dropped the beam and rushed to Scootaloo’s side.

"Oh no…" Dash’s eyes widened when she saw the severity of Scootaloo’s condition.

The orange filly’s wings were twisted, bloody and nearly torn off from the force of the beam smashing her into the ground. Two of her ribs snapped and were jabbing at her skin, threatening to tear her open.

Dash carefully wrapped her forelegs around Scootaloo, avoiding the injuries as best as she could. Lifting up the poor filly, she flew as fast as she could back to the shelter. Debris slammed into the duo, forcing Dash to hold the small filly tight against her chest.

Diving into the Safety Bunker, Dash began searching frantically through the hundreds of pegasi.

"Fluttershy! Fluttershy, Emergency!"

A light dusting of snow covered Hurricane. She had passed out hours ago from exhaustion, the storm finally passing as dawn hit. Pansy remained pinned under the larger mare, still a little weak from collapsing the night before.

"Hurricane?" Pansy whispered, trying to wriggle free of the pony on top of her. “Hurricane are you alright? The storm’s over… you can get off me."

Hurricane’s eyes opened blearily as she felt the small pegasus shifting beneath her. Feeling a surge of emotions rush over her, the grey mare lifted herself off Pansy. “S-sorry… well I suppose we’d better keep looking. I just hope Lieutenant General Dash is doing all she can to help the tribe."

Pansy slowly stood on her hooves and walked up to the Commander, now standing at the entrance to the cave and looking out into the snow covered hills before them. “Hurricane you… you saved me again… why can’t you just-?"

Hurricane’s wings flared angrily and she turned to face the green mare. “You collapsed from the cold and exhaustion Private! What was I supposed to do, let you die? Nothing in the name of pegasi kind… could make me do that…" Her wings drooped back to her sides and she whispered those last words softly; just enough for the mare to hear them. She turned away from Pansy trying to escape her pleading purple eyes.

Pansy stared at Commander Hurricane in shock and surprise. The stare quickly evolved into a heated glare at the larger mare. Her wings flared out suddenly, gaining Hurricane’s attention once again. “Fine. Let’s find your new homeland to avoid me in just like before."

Hurricane stood silently in front of Pansy and looked suddenly nervous. “Uh, you know, I kinda… removed your armor when the storm hit… to-to keep you warm I mean…"

"What?" Pansy’s eyes widened and she looked at her hooves, an embarrassed flush covering her face. Looking around frantically, Pansy spotted her armor near the rock they had huddled behind moments ago.

Hurricane watched the pegasus gather her armor and looked away slightly when she began to put it on, feeling her face heating up. “Oh, and that reminds me. I also took my helmet off when I laid on you to warm you up." The grey pegasus touched her hoof to her mane and looked over to the armor on the floor.

"I don’t care! Have your stupid helmet back!" Pansy grabbed the piece of armor and chucked it at Hurricane. She earned a direct hit on the larger pony’s nose and a sharp yelp of pain from the Commander as she covered her now throbbing nose with a fore-hoof.

Pansy’s hardened look softened a bit at the grey mare’s shout, but turned her head away in anger at the nervous pony. She continued to slowly pull her weapons and armor back on, ignoring Hurricane completely.

Her nose bloody and dripping, Hurricane took one last look at Pansy before silently walking out to grab her helmet from the snow outside.

"Scoots! Kid! Fluttershy, please tell me Scootaloo’s gonna be okay." Dash looked over Fluttershy’s shoulder anxiously, fearing the injuries would be too much for the small filly to handle.

Fluttershy worked diligently to try and save the filly’s life, attempting to reset the wings broken bones and joints as best as she could. “It-it’s hard to say right now Rainbow Dash. She isn’t in good condition, but… it’s good you found her when you did."

Applejack put a comforting hoof on Rainbow Dash’s shoulder. “Come on RD, let Fluttershy do her job. It’ll only be worse if yah’ll keep askin’ her stuff."

"Please Dashie, you gotta let her work. I’m sure Scootaloo will be fine." Pinkie tugged on Dash’s foreleg gently, urging her to leave Fluttershy alone.

Dash finally let herself be pulled away, watching as Fluttershy made small incisions in the little filly’s chest to reset the broken ribs. Feeling emotionally drained, Dash dropped onto the ground heavily. Mean spirited snickering broke through the emotional haze Dash found herself in.

"Way to go, Rainbow Crash. If I was leader nopony would have gotten hurt…" A devilish smirk formed on Dumbbell’s face, “Except for dirty traitors like you and Fluttercry."

"Now jus’ hang on a moment. She worked her flank off trying to save everypony here." Applejack snarled angrily, storming up to the offending stallion.

"Eww..a dirt pony!" Dumbbell smashed his hoof against Applejack’s eye, cracking the bone and splitting the skin.

The orange mare fell heavily to the ground, fading in and out of consciousness. Before Dash could even respond, Pinkie was standing over Applejack protectively.

"You are the biggest meanie-head I have ever met! You DON’T hurt my FRIENDS!" Pinkie glowered angrily at the smug stallion.

"Oh look, the sex toy is going to defend this farm trash. You know she doesn’t really love you, I mean, why would she? You are the most pathetic of all the dirt ponies! Enough that they dumped you from their dirty tribe to go rot on your own!" The brown stallion grinned sadistically, watching Pinkie’s eyes shimmer with unshed tears.

"How do you know about that, Dumbbell?" Dash spoke in a clear and calm voice, her face darkened by her helmet, betraying no emotion.

Dumbbell laughed cruelly, “I was there remember? Helping take a share of the dirt pony food. You were probably too distracted ogling this filth to even notice."

A sharp crack resonated throughout the whole bunker. Dumbbell dropped lifelessly to the ground, a gaping hole in his chest where the armor didn’t cover. Dash stood over him on her hind legs, her wings flared dramatically. Her right hoof was soaked in blood, slowly oozing it’s way down her foreleg.

"That was a long time coming, Dumbbell." She growled out softly as she glared coldly at his body.

Remembering where she was, Dash looked up. Everypony was staring at her in fear and awe. Many of the foals that had looked up to her with admiration were instead hiding from her in their mother’s protective embrace. Turning toward Pinkie, she felt as if her heart stopped.

Unrestrained terror filled Pinkie’s eyes, darting between Dash, the corpse, and the bloody hoof. Grabbing Applejack, Pinkie scrambled away from Dash as if her life depended on it. Trembling, Dash looked down at what was once Dumbbell.

"I-I’m so sorry…"

Hurricane stood at the base of a cliff, looking out at the expanding territory around her. She remembered this place to be surrounded in vibrant lush green outstretches of pine and grass for miles. Now it was ice covered and cold. Lifeless, uninhabitable.

"We should probably keep moving. Those clouds overhead don’t seem to be getting any nicer." The grey pegasus turned from her post and looked behind her at the expressionless Pansy.

The smaller mare sighed. “Yes Commander."

Those two emotionless words cut Hurricane deep. She felt a pang in her heart and immediately stifled the feeling, looking away instead, to another cliff head in the distance.

"There. That’s our destination." Hurricane stated quickly, pointing her hoof in the direction of the cliff.

Pansy walked up beside the larger mare and groaned. “You said that two destinations ago."

"Well this time I’m positive." Commander Hurricane turned to the green pegasus, determination set on her face.

"You said that before too." Pansy stared at the cliff, avoiding any eye contact with Hurricane. She was still using that toneless voice the larger mare hated to hear from her.

Instead of doing anything, all Hurricane did was look at the cliff, before throwing out her wings to their full splendor, “This all seems so familiar to me." The grey pony took off into the skies, heading for the cliff ahead.

Pansy watched the rapidly fading form of the pegasi leader, wondering what she could have meant by that.

Sighing, Pansy spread her own wings and shot after Hurricane.

Rainbow Dash sat curled up as far from her tribe as she could. Panic was set in her mind, her eyes closed tightly. “I am not… I didn’t just… “She thought, curling up tightly into herself.

She had killed Dumbbell. As much as he deserved to have been hurt or something, death wasn’t it. Maybe a black eye or a broken leg or something…

"I’m going to turn out just like her…" Dash thought, letting out a shaky breath. “I’m going to turn out just like Hurricane…"

She could hear her tribe talking and whispering behind her, the shock and disbelief heavy in their voices. Dash could tell none of them were happy with her at all… Ignoring them, her ears sought out one particular voice.

"Pinkie’s scared of me…" The cyan mare felt a single tear slide down her face.

The pink mare in question was sitting at the front of the tribe, her eyes focused on Rainbow Dash. After the initial shock of watching Dash kill Dumbbell had worn off, she became worried about the cyan mare.

"She’s killed before…" Fluttershy whispered, looking at the pink mare. “Hasn’t she told you?"

"I know, I know…,." Pinkie muttered, glancing at the medic. “I… didn’t think she would have killed him though."

Applejack held ice against her swollen injury, a sad expression on her face. “She’s really beatin’ herself up over this."

A small filly suddenly broke from the group of pegasi. She was a little orphan, nopony held her back as she slowly approached the distraught cyan mare. She paused in front of Dash, looking directly into her magenta eyes.

The small filly lunged forward and wrapped her small hooves around Dash’s neck.

"You’re still my hero, Rainbow Dash."

Everypony froze in shock.

The first to recover were the foals. They tore themselves away from their families and trotted quickly over to Dash, hugging her tightly.

A small smile slowly formed on Rainbow Dash’s face.

"Huh…I guess you were right this time." Pansy muttered, in awe of the lush surroundings.

"See? I told you this was our destination!" Hurricane beamed proudly.

Pansy looked around, a small frown on her face. “Gee, perfect, great, now can we go back to the tribe and bring them here?"

"Hang on Private, we need to check to make sure there’s nothing wrong with this place." Hurricane launched herself at the nearest cloud, dropping herself on it unceremoniously.

"This place is perfect!" The grey mare smiled brightly, poking her head up from the fluffy cloud.

Pansy couldn’t help but smile back with just as much enthusiasm as her Commander. A small blush tinged her cheeks as she watched Hurricane. Hurricane hopped from one poofy cloud to the next, like an excited filly.

Dropping her saddlebags, Hurricane pulled out a collapsible pole and a flag. Setting up the items, she triumphantly stabbed it into the cloud she was currently perched on.

"I claim this land as Pegasopolus!"

"Unicornia!"

"Earth!"

Hurricane peered down through her cloud and gaped at who was below her. “Huh? You! What are you two doing here?" She growled and took to the sky again to glare at the ponies.

Princess Platinum tossed her royal blue mane and smiled smugly up at the Commander. “What does it look like Commander? I am here to claim this land in the name of the unicorns."

"Well I am here to claim it as Dirt-ville!" Pudding-head stamped her hoof, as she glared up at Platinum.

"Uh, I thought we agreed on Earth." Smart Cookie muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Oh well whatever I named it, I’m not going to let some snobby unicorn declare it her own." The brown earth pony growled, jabbing an accusing hoof up at the white unicorn.

"And I will not let some brutish pegasi leader take this gem-filled land from under our hooves." Platinum crossed her forelegs hauntingly, her nose turned up at Hurricane.

"Oh, whys that Platinum? Got your hooves done this morning?" Hurricane felt her muscles tense, preparing her for battle.

"As a matter of fact I did, and I would appreciate it if you would not touch anything here with those dirty hooves of yours. This is our land after all." A challenging gleam shown in Platinum’s golden eyes.

"Your land? We got here first! I didn’t see any of you standing here waiting for me to put my flag down." Hurricane snorted, rushing at the unicorn leader.

"Oh, well that’s ‘cause I got here earlier than first. Waaay earlier than any of you two. Plus, I brought along a map for this occasion to find a new land." Pudding-head sat proudly, staring up at the two ponies with bright strawberry colored eyes.

“‘S`cuse me Chancellor Pudding-head, but I think we lost the map back when you decided to take a detour through that waterfall. After that we just walked in a bunch of circles until we got here." Smart Cookie sighed heavily.

Chancellor Pudding-head blinked and then gasped in remembrance. "… oh yeah, that was fun too… but this is serious business, we got here before you two!"

"I am afraid you are wrong. It was I who arrived first!" Platinum frowned deeply at the brown earth pony’s antics.

"No, I got here first and put my flag down before you even got yours out with your so called magic." Hurricane jabbed Platinum in the nose with her hoof, eliciting an angry growl from the white unicorn.

"Uh, Princess Platinum?" Clover the Clever tentatively walked up to the two feuding ponies, attempting to get her leader’s attention.

Fiery golden eyes locked in a glaring match with dark blue, Platinum refused to break eye contact as she responded to the green unicorn.

"Not now Clover the Clever. I am dealing with the brute."

Smart Cookie’s brown eyes widened dramatically, “Hey, Chancellor Pudding-head? You might want to take a look at the weather."

The Chancellor waved a dismissive hoof in the light yellow pony’s direction, “In a minute Smart Cookie, I did do that just ten minutes ago. Hey, is it snowing?"

"That’s what I’ve been trying to-" Smart Cookie began with a frustrated sigh.

"Hey Hurricane, think fast!" Pudding-head scooped up a small amount of fallen snow and chucked it at the grey mare’s head.

Hurricane cringed and spun around to face the giggling dessert headed mare. “Ugh, why does everypony enjoy throwing stuff at my head?"

"It is a rather large target." Platinum snidely commented.

"Commander! It’s happening again! Another storm!" Pansy frantically flew toward Hurricane, eyes wide.

"What? Oh no! This is all your fault!" Hurricane jabbed Platinum in the chest, growling with rage.

"My fault? You probably tainted this land and its gems from your barbaric behavior- ooph!" Another snow ball had been hurled and smashed directly in the face of the unicorn leader. The snow melted off the enraged unicorn’s boiling red face.

Before the enraged unicorn could respond, a large chunk of ice whizzed by, nearly slamming into her. A small crater was left in its wake.

Everypony gaped vacantly at the softball sized ball of ice until several more smashed heavily into the ground. Panic hit the group, all of them scrambling to avoid the deadly hail. In their desperation they worked together, searching for shelter.

After several near misses, and some agonizing hits, the odd group limped as fast as they could into a cave.

Dash smiled thankfully. Nearly her entire tribe had forgiven her for her…slip up… Many of the pegasi that forgave her had suffered from his brutal, bullying behavior. Even with everything turning somewhat back to normal, there was still one pony she really wanted to forgive her.

Dash’s ears fell flat against her helmet. The look Pinkie gave her was burned into her brain. Every time she closed her eyes, it was like she was reliving the moment over and over.

The sudden feeling of forelegs wrapping around her startled the distraught mare. Turning her head behind her, she came face to face with a softly smiling Pinkie Pie.

"P-Pinkie..I-" Dash was cut off with a gentle kiss. Dash’s eyes opened so wide she wondered if they would pop out of her skull.

"It’s okay, Dashie…" Pinkie smiled, nuzzling the cyan mare’s cheek softly. “I forgive you…"

Strong overwhelming emotions rushed through Rainbow Dash. Reaching for the pink mare, Dash locked her into a deep and passionate kiss. She poured all of her feelings into that loving embrace. By the time she broke the kiss, Pinkie was panting heavily and felt just a little lightheaded.

Glancing at the crowd of ponies staring at her and Pinkie, Dash chuckled awkwardly, “Welll…uhh..thank’s for…you know..forgiving me and stuff.."

Turning her attention back to Pinkie, she was nearly taken aback by the smoldering, seductive look she was met with. Leaning forward, Pinkie wrapped her hooves around Dash’s shoulders and began whispering in her ear.

"If forgiving you makes you kiss me like that, I should do it more often." She finished with a quick flick of her tongue against the shell of her ear.

Dash trembled in excitement.

Hurricane had just finished bandaging Pansy’s foreleg. The deep gash carefully cleaned and stitched together. Her wings were fanned out behind her, in an attempt to give Pansy some privacy from the other two tribes.

Both pegasi didn’t speak to each other during the exchange. Instead, Pansy inspected the several smaller gashes that peppered the Commander’s legs. The largest gash was on her left cheek. Blood slowly dripped from Hurricane’s chin as she took care of Pansy.

As soon as Hurricane finished, Pansy immediately began cleaning the grey mare’s banged up legs, cleaning and wrapping them tightly. She left the facial injury for last.

Hurricane’s eyes drifted to the other tribe leaders and their travelling companions while Pansy worked, taking in the level of damage the two different tribes had suffered.

Unicorns, thanks to their magic, were able to surround themselves with a weak shield. Most of their injuries were superficial. Of course, that didn’t stop Princess Platinum from agonizing over her ruined royal gown as if it was her most beloved treasure.

The earth ponies suffered the worst of it. Without the protection of armor or a magical shield, the hail had an easier time causing more serious damage. Both earth ponies had to remove their clothing in order to treat the wounds that littered their body’s.

A gentle hoof against her cheek, startled Hurricane out of her thoughts. Pansy had begun carefully cleansing the wound, preparing it for stitches. Carefully angling the grey mare’s head, Pansy began stitching the wound. Hurricane clenched her teeth tightly as she felt the sharp needle tear into her skin and slowly pull her skin together.

"Oh just look at those brutish pegasi over there, stabbing each other with needles." Platinum snorted, finally tearing her attention away from her ruined gown.

Hurricane growled, doing her best to not turn and threaten the white unicorn. At least not until Pansy had finished stitching and bandaging her last injury.

Not a second after Pansy finished, Hurricane bolted over to Platinum, grabbing her by the neck of her robes and yanking her in the air.

"You better learn some bucking respect, you snobby inbreed!" Hurricane snarled into the white unicorn’s face.

An aura of light green magic surrounded Hurricane and Platinum, tearing the two away from each other.

"Please, we need to work together if we want to survive this." Clover pleaded with the feuding ponies, as she gently set Hurricane and Platinum down.

Platinum snorted indignantly, “But Clover, did you not SEE such barbaric behaviors those bru-"

"For your information, Princess, it’s the best way to treat wounds!" Hurricane barked, stomping her hoof to the ground. “I don’t see any of you snobby unicorns offering to help fix our wounds!"

"Hurricane, Clovers right…" Pansy attempted to reason with the irate pegasus.

"Not NOW Private!" Hurricane snarled, making the small pegasus shrink back in shock.

"Oh PLEASE, you even treat your companion with such brutish antics!" Platinum huffed, sticking her nose up in the air. “Clover! Fix my gown!"

"Hey! None of you should be complaining! Smart Cookie and I have WAY worse injuries and neither of US are moaning and howling about it!" Pudding-head interjected, trotting up to glare at the other two leaders. “So you should just-"

"Chancellor, your side’s bleeding again." Smart Cookie chastened, rushing up to the brown mare.

"Oh. Oops." The Chancellor muttered out, looking at her slowly bleeding wound.

"And Commander," Platinum began, ignoring the two earth ponies. “Would you PLEASE keep your filthy hooves away from me."

Hurricae growled at the unicorn, spinning around to face Pansy. “Pansy! Mark out our territory!"

The green mare sighed, flapping her wings and quickly taking flight. “Yes, Commander…" She muttered, dragging her hoof along the ground.

"See? Everything on THIS side is OUR territory!" Hurricane flared her wings aggressively, positioned near the edge of the crudely drawn line.

"Hardly is that fair!" Platinum argued, stomping past the freshly drawn line. “That’s over half the cave!"

"Yeah!" Pudding-head argued, stomping up to the line. “Besides! We hardly got a say in it!"

"Yeah well ya snooze ya lose!" Hurricane snorted, roughly shoving each of the other leaders back over the line. “So there!"

Pansy glanced at the cave entrance, her eyes growing wide. Ice had begun to slowly cover the entrance, sneaking its way into the cave. With a gasp of shock, she quickly shook Hurricane’s shoulder, pointing at the ice covered entrance.

"Commander!"

"What?" Hurricane snapped, spinning around to face the cave opening with wide eyes. “Oh no!"

"Well now look what you’ve done!" Platinum huffed, stamping her hoof to the ground. “Now we’re trapped here forever!"

"My fault? Why don’t you take a look at your stupid pedicured hooves to see who’s fault this is!" Hurricane retorted, pulling Pansy with her to a wall as far away from the two other groups. “This sure as heck isn’t MY fault!"

"And I didn’t do anything!" Pudding-head shouted, pushing Smart Cookie to the far corner as well. “This is all your faults!"

"Well, I NEVER!" Platinum argued, using her sparkling blue magic to drag Clover to the opposite wall of the other two tribes.

"Why don’t you snotty unicorns and dirt ponies stay over there, we might catch some kind of disease from you." Hurricane snorted.

"Hey! Just because we are earth ponies, doesn’t mean we are dirty! It’s the unicorns and their freaky magic that we all have to worry about!" Pudding-head gestured wildly at the white and green unicorns, eyes wide.

"Try not to breathe too hard over here, dirt pony. Your rancid breath would kill manticores." Platinum held her hoof to her nose, a mean grin on her face.

Ice creeped along the cave floor, circling around the tribe leaders and ensnaring them in their icy grip. The three ponies not captured in the strange ice, backed away slowly eyes wide with horror.

"What in the hay did you do Platinum?" Hurricane growled out, a tinge of fear in her voice as ice rapidly climbed up her legs and surrounded her body.

Pudding-head was in near hysterics, yanking and tugging in a vain attempt to escape the solid ice. “S-Stop it, Platinum! Please!"

Platinum’s horn glowed brightly as she attempted to tear herself out of the ice. “I-It must be something the pegasi did!"

With the ice closing around the three leader’s heads, Hurricane looked directly into Pansy’s terrified purple eyes.

"I’m sorry…"

[partyingrainbows-blog-blog]

Hypothermia of the Heart Ch15

Rainbow Dash stood on top of the base, watching the dark clouds slowly form around the tribe’s home. Beside her Morning Dew was informing Dash about what the weather patrol had attempted with the strange clouds. “We can’t even land on them, Lieutenant General…" Morning Dew sighed, her pale green eyes watching as the last of her team gave up.

"Okay, so all we know about them is that they don’t respond to our actions, right?" Rainbow Dash frowned, narrowing her eyes. “The only kind of clouds that wouldn’t respond to Pegasi are magic made, yet I doubt the unicorns know enough about weather to manipulate it."

"That’s the only thing we can think of, though!" Morning Dew cried out, ears drooping.

"Yeah yeah, I know. I mean I’d try Sonic Rainbooming those things out of here, but ‘Shy wants me off my wings for another week." The cyan mare muttered, shrugging. “I’ll organize a meeting with the tribe leaders. ‘Sides, we need to get the food issue resolved anyway."

Morning Dew stared at Dash with a confused and curious look on her face. "… If Chief Sergeant Fluttershy wants you to not use your wings, how did you-"

"Not important," Rainbow Dash interrupted, shaking her head quickly. “Anyway, take the weather team and go help rebuild the storage. Got it?"

"Yes, Lieutenant General!" Morning Dew quickly saluted, flying downwards instantly.

Dash looked at the clouds, and sighed. “Magic? Dunno…" She looked down, frowning as she noticed a certain pink mare bouncing around. “What the hay is she doing…? Better go fi-"

"Hi Dashie! Whatcha looking at on the ground?" Pinkies voice chirped happily from behind her.

Jumping, Rainbow Dash spun around to see Pinkie grinning at her. “What the-? But you were just-? How did you-?"

Pinkie tilted her head, looking at Dash with curious eyes. “How did I what?"

"You were just on the ground! I saw you!" Dash gestured dramatically toward the ground.

"Oh yeah! That! Don’t worry about it, Dashie!" Pinkie exclaimed, bouncing slightly in place. “I wanted to show you the PERFECT place where our new home should be!"

Dash shook her head, the pony’s crazy antics going over her head. “Uh okay?"

"Great! Okay see that building riiiiiight over there?" Pinkie sang, pointing to a cloud home floating almost across from them. “Right under there! It’s a really pretty home. I wonder who’s it is?"

"Pinkie, that’s my home." Dash spoke with a mildly amused tone.

"Oh! Wow it really is pretty! You made it? Woooooow you did a good job Dashie!" Pinkie stared at the floating home as if it was the greatest thing she had ever seen in her entire life.

Rainbow Dash chuckled at the pink mare, trotting over to lean gently against her. “Glad you think so. When my wings are better I’ll show you around in there. For now, I should probably talk to Hurricane about getting that meeting with the other two tribes organized…"

Hurricane shuffled through the two sets of armor that littered the ground, snatching up her armor and sliding it on quickly. Pansy watched the scene unfold, her heart clenching. After she had admitted her feelings for Hurricane, she practically launched herself several feet away as if she was burned.

"Hurricane…" Pansy’s voice held heartbreak and desperation, freezing Hurricane in mid-motion.

Taking several deep breaths to calm herself, Hurricane spoke with a strained voice. “What is it, Private?"

Pansy felt as though her heart was being trampled and torn apart by an angry manticore. Shakily she got onto her hooves and approached the dark grey mare, a small flame of hope flickering within her.

"Hurricane…why-" Pansy was cut off by a pair of glaring blue eyes staring into her.

"You’re indecent, Private. You know the rules about wearing armor." In that single moment, the small flame of hope was snuffed out by Hurricane’s cold words.

Tears filled Pansy’s eyes, pouring down her face. Dropping to the floor she sobbed silently, shivering and hugging herself for comfort.

Hurricane watched sobbing mare in horror, a heavy weight dropping in her chest. Clenching her teeth, she turned away from the crying green mare, trying to pretend that this wasn’t happening. Replacing the final piece of armor to her body, she gently pushed Pansy’s armor next to her in a neat pile before leaving the room.

Rainbow Dash landed on the ground with a dull thud, wincing slightly at the pain in her stomach. “Okay, note to self… Going up is easier then going down."

"Aw…Poor Dashie." Pinkie frowned, landing next to Dash.

Dash winced, and looked at the pink mare. “I’m not even going to ask how you got down…"

"With a hop, skip, and a jump!" Pinkie smiled, bouncing in place. “Everypony knows that, silly!"

"… Everypony but me, apparently. Okay, follow me," Dash sighed, turning towards the military base building. “I might as well show you around, since this is your new home and all."

"Really?" Pinkie’s eyes grew wide and sparkled in excitement.

"Duh…" Dash grinned, leaning forward to plant a kiss on the hyper mare’s cheek. She glanced up as a group of weather pony fumbled with their clouds, all staring at her with dumbstruck eyes. “Er… C’mon let’s get inside."

"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie chirped, bouncing after Rainbow Dash as she lead her into the building.

Dash grinned at the pink mare’s antics, leading her through the maze of a building. “If you ever need me, usually asking Falling Star in the front desk is the way to go…" Dash muttered, nodding to a pale blue pegasus sitting behind a desk half asleep. “Well, when she isn’t asleep, I mean."

"These ponies could seriously do with a party, Dashie. It’s so boring in here." Pinkie muttered, glancing around at the pale greys and whites of the walls.

"Yeah, it’s suppo-" Dash began before running into something solid.

"Watch i- Oh, Lieutenant General! This saves me the trouble…"

Both the mares looked up to see Hurricane before them, ruffling her wings uncomfortably. Rainbow Dash blinked a few times, noticing how her Commanders helmet looked slightly off, and how the grey mare looked… Distracted.

"Hurricane, is something up?" Dash asked, glancing suspiciously at her.

"Why would you say that? Everything is fine! I need to speak to you!" Hurricane snapped defensively, glaring at the cyan Pegasus.

Shocked by the outburst, Dash muttered out a soft apology."Oh, well sorry…"

"Look, we need to discuss the issue with the clouds, and-" Hurricane began, her demeanor rapidly changing to a more serious, business like tone.

"Yeah yeah, I know. Pinkie and I were on our way to send Derpy to the other leaders to request a meeting, anyway." Dash interrupted, waving one of her forelegs in dismissal. “Before I go do that, are you even up for a meeting with the leaders? I mean, after the last few weeks and Pansy telling us about how you were really stressed and all."

Hurricane visibly tensed after hearing Pansy’s name. “O-of course I’m up to it! Anything that will help this tribe I will be ready for."

Raising an eyebrow at Hurricane’s odd behavior, Dash shrugged. “Whatever you say, Hurricane."

Dash sat in the rafters of the earth pony meeting hall with several military pegasi yelling angrily behind her. Below, Commander Hurricane argued loudly with Chancellor Pudding-Head and Princess Platinum. Instead of joining in with the yelling of everypony in the room, Dash found herself distracted by a distraught, mint green mare.

"Pansy, are you alright? You’ve been moping around for the past few days." Dash nearly shouted her question, attempting to be heard over the crowd of angry ponies.

Pansy, whom had been staring intently at Commander Hurricane, tore her eyes away from her and looked calmly at Rainbow Dash.

"I’m fine, Lieutenant General…" She grinned weakly, hoping to sate the cyan pony’s curiosity.

Sighing, Dash nodded. This wasn’t the time or place to be trying to help out other ponies anyway. She nudged Pansy in a friendly manor before returning her attention to the heated argument below.

"If there is anything wrong, you can talk to me."

A genuine smile slowly formed on Pansy’s face, “Thank you, Rainbow Dash."

Hurricane felt on edge during the entire debate. She could feel a set of purple eyes burning into the back of her skull. Her tension easily rubbed off on the other two leaders, quickly degenerating what was supposed to be a conversation about what was going wrong into a big blame game.

Several times Hurricane nearly started a physical fight. Something was holding her back, controlling her fiery temper. Maybe it was because an all out war would be devastating to her tribe, or maybe it was because she wanted to prove to all the other tribes how she was the better leader. Or… maybe it was a small, mint green pegasus.

"What a load of horseapples THAT did…" Dash muttered in annoyance as she trotted into Fluttershy’s home.

"Huh?" Pinkie asked, poking her head from behind a door and looking curiously at Rainbow Dash. The two had been staying with the yellow medic while their home was being built.

"Oh! Wait! You’re both back! How’d the meeting go? Are you hungry? I made chili!" Pinkie bounced excitedly toward Dash, almost tackling her in a tight embrace when she remembered her wounds. Instead, she gently hugged her and nuzzled her neck.

"The meeting went down the drains REALLY fast…" Dash muttered, watching Fluttershy rush off to feed her animals. “The earth ponies can’t grow anymore food ‘cause of the clouds and are blaming the pegasi for it and the unicorns for possibly sabotaging the clouds, while the unicorns are blaming the pegasi for the clouds and the earth ponies for being lazy." Dash rolled her eyes, “Meanwhile, the pegasi are complaining and blaming the unicorns for the clouds and the earth ponies for hogging food…"

"Oooohhhhhh." Pinkie listened eyes widening in interest.

"Hurricane almost started twelve hoof to-hoof fights," Dash sighed, trotting into the kitchen. “Princess Platinum put her crown on upside down, and once again no pony understood whatever Chancellor Pudding-Head was saying."

"I-It was such a miracle nopony got hurt…" Fluttershy stated, walking in the room. “Even MORE a miracle that… Hurricane DIDN’T start a fight…"

"Does Hurricane always start fights?" Pinkie chirped, tilting her head to the side as she dished the chili into bowls. She pushed each bowl to her friends, sitting down before her own bowl and began gulping it down noisily.

Dash snickered, “Pinkie, it’s weird when Hurricane doesn’t start a fight. Though usually with other tribes she ends up doing crazy little mind games, like the time she got that earth pony kicked out-"

Pinkie looked up at Dash with big sad, cyan eyes.

"N-nevermind…" Dash muttered quietly, guilt filling her. "…Sorry, Pinkie Pie…"

Pinkie smiled softly, “It’s ok, Dashie."

Hurricane sat in her newly repaired office, her head resting on her new desk; this time made of metal. Hurricane’s head was swimming with frustration, not just at the failed meeting, but at the feelings that were tormenting her.

Sighing, she looked up at the painting of Blizzard sadly, “I messed up… I… I guess I’m… scared… to love another pony…"

Tears of sorrow and frustration pooled in her eyes, but Hurricane refused to allow them to fall. “I guess… I don’t want to go through losing somepony I love again…"

Memories of Blizzard falling in battle filled her mind. How she was immediately forced into becoming the new leader, way before she was ready. How she had to learn to cope, how she learned to do everything…

All on her own.

A single tear splashed on the desk.

Finally, the day had come.

Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash all stood outside Fluttershy’s home, braving the wind and snow the weird clouds had made. Hard determination was set on Dash’s face, her wings carefully spread.

"Are… You sure you don’t want to wait for a nicer day?" Fluttershy whimpered, gently pulling and prodding at Dash’s wings to make sue they were fully healed.

“‘Shy, I’m going crazy on the ground. The only good thing about it right now is Pinkie. I am NOT delaying my first real flight in ages because of some freak storm." Rainbow Dash snorted, shaking her head out quickly. “I’m ready to do this."

"Just be careful Dashie…" Pinkie begged, worry thickly accenting her voice. “Don’t get hurt…"

Rainbow Dash flashed the pink mare a winning grin,"Don’t worry, Pinks. I won’t let a blizzard take me out again. Besides, it’s just a quick flight around ‘Shy’s yard, then I’ll be back at your side."

"… Okay…" Pinkie’s concerned expression never left her face, but she seemed to relax just a little bit at Dash’s confident words.

"Rainbow…" Dash nearly tumbled over, her initial boost upward suddenly halted by Fluttershy’s worried voice.

Sighing heavily, Dash turned to Fluttershy, “What is it?"

"Sorry…" Fluttershy muttered quietly shrinking into herself a little before continuing, “Your stomach wounds aren’t healed yet…so please be very careful."

Giving a sharp nod, Dash launched herself in the sky. Exhilaration raced through her as she took flight. Several loops, spins, dives, and barrel rolls later, Dash landed in front of a nearly catatonic Fluttershy and an awestruck Pinkie Pie.

Fluttershy rushed forward, her stare set firmly in place making Dash shrink back a little.

"ARE you CRAZY? You could have gotten HURT! You could have TORN OPEN your WOUND!" Fluttershy’s chest heaved with heavy breaths as she calmed down. Finally relaxing since Dash was no longer in immediate danger, she hugged Dash. “I’m sorry…I was worried."

Smiling softly, Dash returned the embrace. “It’s alright, Shy."

"That was SO AWESOME, Dashie!" Pinkie nearly tore the cyan pegasus from Fluttershy’s embrace by her neck and hugged her tightly to her chest. “When you get all better I hope you can show me all your super amazing tricks!"

Fluttershy giggled at the dramatic display of affection the pink mare was pouring out. “Careful, Pinkie Pie…"

"Seriously I’m FINE, ‘Shy!" Rainbow Dash snorted, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, I know…" Fluttershy smiled, taking a few steps away from the two. “I’m just worried about your ego."

"Hey!" Dash snorted indignantly.

***** Hurricane awoke several hours later, slumped heavily on her desk. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, as she looked around the darkened office. Her face felt wet, she noted, recalling how, despite her best efforts, she had ended up crying for an hour or so.

"This is such a mess…" She muttered, quickly glancing around the room. “I’m such a mess…"

She got up, stumbling her way towards the door. “I should just go home and let Rainbow Dash take over for the day…"

Opening the door, Hurricane found herself face to face with the last pony she wanted to see. Pansy stared at her, insecurity radiating from her as she struggled to maintain eye contact with the dark grey mare.

"Is there something you need, Private." Hurricane spoke in a clipped tone. Her eyes hardened into a glare as she waited for the meek pegasus to respond.

"Hurricane…" The grey mare’s resolve nearly crumbled from the desperation that oozed from Pansy’s voice. “Why are you acting like this?"

"Acting like what, Private?" Hurricane winced as her voice wavered.

Pansy’s eyes narrowed. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, Commander."

Pansy stalked toward Hurricane, her desperation replaced with hurt anger. Hurricane found herself unconsciously moving backward, in a futile attempt to escape the green pegasus.

"You told me you cared about me…you have a really funny way of showing a pony how much you care, Commander." Pansy’s eyes flashed dangerously.

Hurricane cursed under her breath as her rump hit the far wall of her office. “I-I care about everypony in the tribe."

Pansy snorted, rearing back on her hind-legs, wings flared aggressively. “Yeah, except you don’t have sex with everypony else in the tribe now do you?"

Hurricane found herself pinned to the wall by the smaller mare. It wasn’t as if Pansy was stronger than her…it was just…Hurricane didn’t want to hurt her. That, and the look in Pansy’s flaming purple eyes did a marvelous job at freezing her in place.

"…Uh…" Hurricane’s mind went blank as Pansy leaned in close, her hot breath blowing against her muzzle.

Pansy visibly shook with heartache, her eyes wavering between anger and sorrow. It took all of her willpower to not collapse into Hurricane’s chest and cling tightly to her.

"…Hurricane…please…"

A blur of grey flew through the open door and smashed into the far wall, startling the two pegasi. Derpy Hooves popped up, holding an important letter in her mouth. Spitting it onto the desk she beamed brightly.

"I brought you a letter!" Derpy seemed oblivious to the tension that had built in the room, her goofy grin never leaving her face.

"Airman Derpy Hooves!" Hurricane practically shouted the other mare’s name in pure joy, happy to have a way to escape the situation she was in.

Wriggling her way out from being pinned to the wall, Hurricane rushed over to the wall-eyed mare and slung her foreleg around her, good-naturedly. “Your services are always outstanding! You will definitely get extra muffins in appreciation for all your hard work, as well as a pay increase! How I never saw such a great job you did before is beyond me!"

Pansy glowered at the two grey pegasi. “Airman Derpy…would it be alright if you came back later? Commander Hurricane and I were having an IMPORTANT discussion."

Glancing at Pansy nervously, Hurricane ignored the green mare’s words. “Well I got some important stuff to do…somewhere else…so if you need anything else Derpy, you may talk to Lieutenant General Dash or Private Pansy."

Snatching up the letter, Hurricane zoomed out of the office so fast it would have made Rainbow Dash proud. *****

"And this is where I usually am!" Dash exclaimed, pushing a door open.

Pinkie’s eyes widened in awe as she stepped into the office. “Wow, Dashie! It’s so bright!"

Dash followed her, glancing around at the colours she used to decorate. Mostly blues and oranges splashed on the walls, some forming lightning bolts shooting out from grey fluffy clouds. “Yeah. I mean, if this was the one place I was in more than my home and out training, I wanted it to look somewhat nice."

"Oh! There’s some pink!" Pinkie exclaimed, rushing up to a randomly placed pink balloon. “It’s… Why is it here?"

"I… Put that there after ‘Shy and I came back the first time…" Dash slowly admitted, walking up to stand beside Pinkie. “I really missed you…"

Pinkie stared at the balloon in silence, slowly turning to smile at Rainbow Dash. “That’s so sweet of you, Dashie…"

"Yeah well, it’s nothing compared to your snow sculptures…" Dash shrugged nonchalantly.

Pinkie smiled, bouncing around the room. “But it’s so blue and orange! What if we added some MORE pink, and maybe purple, oh and DEFINITELY green and yellow! Oh let’s not forget red…! GASP! We could throw up some streamers and confetti and bean bag chairs and make it a party away from a party!"

"Let’s not and say we did…" Dash chuckled, watching the pink mare run around the room, looking at various things. “‘Sides, when I become leader I’ll have to take over Hurricane’s office. Not much point, really… We could save it for when our home’s finished and you can go wild decorating…?"

Rainbow Dash stood on top of the base, watching the dark clouds slowly form around the tribe’s home. Beside her Morning Dew was informing Dash about what the weather patrol had attempted with the strange clouds. “We can’t even land on them, Lieutenant General…" Morning Dew sighed, her pale green eyes watching as the last of her team gave up.

"Okay, so all we know about them is that they don’t respond to our actions, right?" Rainbow Dash frowned, narrowing her eyes. “The only kind of clouds that wouldn’t respond to Pegasi are magic made, yet I doubt the unicorns know enough about weather to manipulate it."

"That’s the only thing we can think of, though!" Morning Dew cried out, ears drooping.

"Yeah yeah, I know. I mean I’d try Sonic Rainbooming those things out of here, but ‘Shy wants me off my wings for another week." The cyan mare muttered, shrugging. “I’ll organize a meeting with the tribe leaders. ‘Sides, we need to get the food issue resolved anyway."

Morning Dew stared at Dash with a confused and curious look on her face. "… If Chief Sergeant Fluttershy wants you to not use your wings, how did you-"

"Not important," Rainbow Dash interrupted, shaking her head quickly. “Anyway, take the weather team and go help rebuild the storage. Got it?"

"Yes, Lieutenant General!" Morning Dew quickly saluted, flying downwards instantly.

Dash looked at the clouds, and sighed. “Magic? Dunno…" She looked down, frowning as she noticed a certain pink mare bouncing around. “What the hay is she doing…? Better go fi-"

"Hi Dashie! Whatcha looking at on the ground?" Pinkies voice chirped happily from behind her.

Jumping, Rainbow Dash spun around to see Pinkie grinning at her. “What the-? But you were just-? How did you-?"

Pinkie tilted her head, looking at Dash with curious eyes. “How did I what?"

"You were just on the ground! I saw you!" Dash gestured dramatically toward the ground.

"Oh yeah! That! Don’t worry about it, Dashie!" Pinkie exclaimed, bouncing slightly in place. “I wanted to show you the PERFECT place where our new home should be!"

Dash shook her head, the pony’s crazy antics going over her head. “Uh okay?"

"Great! Okay see that building riiiiiight over there?" Pinkie sang, pointing to a cloud home floating almost across from them. “Right under there! It’s a really pretty home. I wonder who’s it is?"

"Pinkie, that’s my home." Dash spoke with a mildly amused tone.

"Oh! Wow it really is pretty! You made it? Woooooow you did a good job Dashie!" Pinkie stared at the floating home as if it was the greatest thing she had ever seen in her entire life.

Rainbow Dash chuckled at the pink mare, trotting over to lean gently against her. “Glad you think so. When my wings are better I’ll show you around in there. For now, I should probably talk to Hurricane about getting that meeting with the other two tribes organized…"

Hurricane shuffled through the two sets of armor that littered the ground, snatching up her armor and sliding it on quickly. Pansy watched the scene unfold, her heart clenching. After she had admitted her feelings for Hurricane, she practically launched herself several feet away as if she was burned.

"Hurricane…" Pansy’s voice held heartbreak and desperation, freezing Hurricane in mid-motion.

Taking several deep breaths to calm herself, Hurricane spoke with a strained voice. “What is it, Private?"

Pansy felt as though her heart was being trampled and torn apart by an angry manticore. Shakily she got onto her hooves and approached the dark grey mare, a small flame of hope flickering within her.

"Hurricane…why-" Pansy was cut off by a pair of glaring blue eyes staring into her.

"You’re indecent, Private. You know the rules about wearing armor." In that single moment, the small flame of hope was snuffed out by Hurricane’s cold words.

Tears filled Pansy’s eyes, pouring down her face. Dropping to the floor she sobbed silently, shivering and hugging herself for comfort.

Hurricane watched sobbing mare in horror, a heavy weight dropping in her chest. Clenching her teeth, she turned away from the crying green mare, trying to pretend that this wasn’t happening. Replacing the final piece of armor to her body, she gently pushed Pansy’s armor next to her in a neat pile before leaving the room.

Rainbow Dash landed on the ground with a dull thud, wincing slightly at the pain in her stomach. “Okay, note to self… Going up is easier then going down."

"Aw…Poor Dashie." Pinkie frowned, landing next to Dash.

Dash winced, and looked at the pink mare. “I’m not even going to ask how you got down…"

"With a hop, skip, and a jump!" Pinkie smiled, bouncing in place. “Everypony knows that, silly!"

"… Everypony but me, apparently. Okay, follow me," Dash sighed, turning towards the military base building. “I might as well show you around, since this is your new home and all."

"Really?" Pinkie’s eyes grew wide and sparkled in excitement.

"Duh…" Dash grinned, leaning forward to plant a kiss on the hyper mare’s cheek. She glanced up as a group of weather pony fumbled with their clouds, all staring at her with dumbstruck eyes. “Er… C’mon let’s get inside."

"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie chirped, bouncing after Rainbow Dash as she lead her into the building.

Dash grinned at the pink mare’s antics, leading her through the maze of a building. “If you ever need me, usually asking Falling Star in the front desk is the way to go…" Dash muttered, nodding to a pale blue pegasus sitting behind a desk half asleep. “Well, when she isn’t asleep, I mean."

"These ponies could seriously do with a party, Dashie. It’s so boring in here." Pinkie muttered, glancing around at the pale greys and whites of the walls.

"Yeah, it’s suppo-" Dash began before running into something solid.

"Watch i- Oh, Lieutenant General! This saves me the trouble…"

Both the mares looked up to see Hurricane before them, ruffling her wings uncomfortably. Rainbow Dash blinked a few times, noticing how her Commanders helmet looked slightly off, and how the grey mare looked… Distracted.

"Hurricane, is something up?" Dash asked, glancing suspiciously at her.

"Why would you say that? Everything is fine! I need to speak to you!" Hurricane snapped defensively, glaring at the cyan Pegasus.

Shocked by the outburst, Dash muttered out a soft apology."Oh, well sorry…"

"Look, we need to discuss the issue with the clouds, and-" Hurricane began, her demeanor rapidly changing to a more serious, business like tone.

"Yeah yeah, I know. Pinkie and I were on our way to send Derpy to the other leaders to request a meeting, anyway." Dash interrupted, waving one of her forelegs in dismissal. “Before I go do that, are you even up for a meeting with the leaders? I mean, after the last few weeks and Pansy telling us about how you were really stressed and all."

Hurricane visibly tensed after hearing Pansy’s name. “O-of course I’m up to it! Anything that will help this tribe I will be ready for."

Raising an eyebrow at Hurricane’s odd behavior, Dash shrugged. “Whatever you say, Hurricane."

Dash sat in the rafters of the earth pony meeting hall with several military pegasi yelling angrily behind her. Below, Commander Hurricane argued loudly with Chancellor Pudding-Head and Princess Platinum. Instead of joining in with the yelling of everypony in the room, Dash found herself distracted by a distraught, mint green mare.

"Pansy, are you alright? You’ve been moping around for the past few days." Dash nearly shouted her question, attempting to be heard over the crowd of angry ponies.

Pansy, whom had been staring intently at Commander Hurricane, tore her eyes away from her and looked calmly at Rainbow Dash.

"I’m fine, Lieutenant General…" She grinned weakly, hoping to sate the cyan pony’s curiosity.

Sighing, Dash nodded. This wasn’t the time or place to be trying to help out other ponies anyway. She nudged Pansy in a friendly manor before returning her attention to the heated argument below.

"If there is anything wrong, you can talk to me."

A genuine smile slowly formed on Pansy’s face, “Thank you, Rainbow Dash."

Hurricane felt on edge during the entire debate. She could feel a set of purple eyes burning into the back of her skull. Her tension easily rubbed off on the other two leaders, quickly degenerating what was supposed to be a conversation about what was going wrong into a big blame game.

Several times Hurricane nearly started a physical fight. Something was holding her back, controlling her fiery temper. Maybe it was because an all out war would be devastating to her tribe, or maybe it was because she wanted to prove to all the other tribes how she was the better leader. Or… maybe it was a small, mint green pegasus.

"What a load of horseapples THAT did…" Dash muttered in annoyance as she trotted into Fluttershy’s home.

"Huh?" Pinkie asked, poking her head from behind a door and looking curiously at Rainbow Dash. The two had been staying with the yellow medic while their home was being built.

"Oh! Wait! You’re both back! How’d the meeting go? Are you hungry? I made chili!" Pinkie bounced excitedly toward Dash, almost tackling her in a tight embrace when she remembered her wounds. Instead, she gently hugged her and nuzzled her neck.

"The meeting went down the drains REALLY fast…" Dash muttered, watching Fluttershy rush off to feed her animals. “The earth ponies can’t grow anymore food ‘cause of the clouds and are blaming the pegasi for it and the unicorns for possibly sabotaging the clouds, while the unicorns are blaming the pegasi for the clouds and the earth ponies for being lazy." Dash rolled her eyes, “Meanwhile, the pegasi are complaining and blaming the unicorns for the clouds and the earth ponies for hogging food…"

"Oooohhhhhh." Pinkie listened eyes widening in interest.

"Hurricane almost started twelve hoof to-hoof fights," Dash sighed, trotting into the kitchen. “Princess Platinum put her crown on upside down, and once again no pony understood whatever Chancellor Pudding-Head was saying."

"I-It was such a miracle nopony got hurt…" Fluttershy stated, walking in the room. “Even MORE a miracle that… Hurricane DIDN’T start a fight…"

"Does Hurricane always start fights?" Pinkie chirped, tilting her head to the side as she dished the chili into bowls. She pushed each bowl to her friends, sitting down before her own bowl and began gulping it down noisily.

Dash snickered, “Pinkie, it’s weird when Hurricane doesn’t start a fight. Though usually with other tribes she ends up doing crazy little mind games, like the time she got that earth pony kicked out-"

Pinkie looked up at Dash with big sad, cyan eyes.

"N-nevermind…" Dash muttered quietly, guilt filling her. "…Sorry, Pinkie Pie…"

Pinkie smiled softly, “It’s ok, Dashie."

Hurricane sat in her newly repaired office, her head resting on her new desk; this time made of metal. Hurricane’s head was swimming with frustration, not just at the failed meeting, but at the feelings that were tormenting her.

Sighing, she looked up at the painting of Blizzard sadly, “I messed up… I… I guess I’m… scared… to love another pony…"

Tears of sorrow and frustration pooled in her eyes, but Hurricane refused to allow them to fall. “I guess… I don’t want to go through losing somepony I love again…"

Memories of Blizzard falling in battle filled her mind. How she was immediately forced into becoming the new leader, way before she was ready. How she had to learn to cope, how she learned to do everything…

All on her own.

A single tear splashed on the desk.

Finally, the day had come.

Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash all stood outside Fluttershy’s home, braving the wind and snow the weird clouds had made. Hard determination was set on Dash’s face, her wings carefully spread.

"Are… You sure you don’t want to wait for a nicer day?" Fluttershy whimpered, gently pulling and prodding at Dash’s wings to make sue they were fully healed.

“‘Shy, I’m going crazy on the ground. The only good thing about it right now is Pinkie. I am NOT delaying my first real flight in ages because of some freak storm." Rainbow Dash snorted, shaking her head out quickly. “I’m ready to do this."

"Just be careful Dashie…" Pinkie begged, worry thickly accenting her voice. “Don’t get hurt…"

Rainbow Dash flashed the pink mare a winning grin,"Don’t worry, Pinks. I won’t let a blizzard take me out again. Besides, it’s just a quick flight around ‘Shy’s yard, then I’ll be back at your side."

"… Okay…" Pinkie’s concerned expression never left her face, but she seemed to relax just a little bit at Dash’s confident words.

"Rainbow…" Dash nearly tumbled over, her initial boost upward suddenly halted by Fluttershy’s worried voice.

Sighing heavily, Dash turned to Fluttershy, “What is it?"

"Sorry…" Fluttershy muttered quietly shrinking into herself a little before continuing, “Your stomach wounds aren’t healed yet…so please be very careful."

Giving a sharp nod, Dash launched herself in the sky. Exhilaration raced through her as she took flight. Several loops, spins, dives, and barrel rolls later, Dash landed in front of a nearly catatonic Fluttershy and an awestruck Pinkie Pie.

Fluttershy rushed forward, her stare set firmly in place making Dash shrink back a little.

"ARE you CRAZY? You could have gotten HURT! You could have TORN OPEN your WOUND!" Fluttershy’s chest heaved with heavy breaths as she calmed down. Finally relaxing since Dash was no longer in immediate danger, she hugged Dash. “I’m sorry…I was worried."

Smiling softly, Dash returned the embrace. “It’s alright, Shy."

"That was SO AWESOME, Dashie!" Pinkie nearly tore the cyan pegasus from Fluttershy’s embrace by her neck and hugged her tightly to her chest. “When you get all better I hope you can show me all your super amazing tricks!"

Fluttershy giggled at the dramatic display of affection the pink mare was pouring out. “Careful, Pinkie Pie…"

"Seriously I’m FINE, ‘Shy!" Rainbow Dash snorted, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, I know…" Fluttershy smiled, taking a few steps away from the two. “I’m just worried about your ego."

"Hey!" Dash snorted indignantly.

***** Hurricane awoke several hours later, slumped heavily on her desk. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, as she looked around the darkened office. Her face felt wet, she noted, recalling how, despite her best efforts, she had ended up crying for an hour or so.

"This is such a mess…" She muttered, quickly glancing around the room. “I’m such a mess…"

She got up, stumbling her way towards the door. “I should just go home and let Rainbow Dash take over for the day…"

Opening the door, Hurricane found herself face to face with the last pony she wanted to see. Pansy stared at her, insecurity radiating from her as she struggled to maintain eye contact with the dark grey mare.

"Is there something you need, Private." Hurricane spoke in a clipped tone. Her eyes hardened into a glare as she waited for the meek pegasus to respond.

"Hurricane…" The grey mare’s resolve nearly crumbled from the desperation that oozed from Pansy’s voice. “Why are you acting like this?"

"Acting like what, Private?" Hurricane winced as her voice wavered.

Pansy’s eyes narrowed. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, Commander."

Pansy stalked toward Hurricane, her desperation replaced with hurt anger. Hurricane found herself unconsciously moving backward, in a futile attempt to escape the green pegasus.

"You told me you cared about me…you have a really funny way of showing a pony how much you care, Commander." Pansy’s eyes flashed dangerously.

Hurricane cursed under her breath as her rump hit the far wall of her office. “I-I care about everypony in the tribe."

Pansy snorted, rearing back on her hind-legs, wings flared aggressively. “Yeah, except you don’t have sex with everypony else in the tribe now do you?"

Hurricane found herself pinned to the wall by the smaller mare. It wasn’t as if Pansy was stronger than her…it was just…Hurricane didn’t want to hurt her. That, and the look in Pansy’s flaming purple eyes did a marvelous job at freezing her in place.

"…Uh…" Hurricane’s mind went blank as Pansy leaned in close, her hot breath blowing against her muzzle.

Pansy visibly shook with heartache, her eyes wavering between anger and sorrow. It took all of her willpower to not collapse into Hurricane’s chest and cling tightly to her.

"…Hurricane…please…"

A blur of grey flew through the open door and smashed into the far wall, startling the two pegasi. Derpy Hooves popped up, holding an important letter in her mouth. Spitting it onto the desk she beamed brightly.

"I brought you a letter!" Derpy seemed oblivious to the tension that had built in the room, her goofy grin never leaving her face.

"Airman Derpy Hooves!" Hurricane practically shouted the other mare’s name in pure joy, happy to have a way to escape the situation she was in.

Wriggling her way out from being pinned to the wall, Hurricane rushed over to the wall-eyed mare and slung her foreleg around her, good-naturedly. “Your services are always outstanding! You will definitely get extra muffins in appreciation for all your hard work, as well as a pay increase! How I never saw such a great job you did before is beyond me!"

Pansy glowered at the two grey pegasi. “Airman Derpy…would it be alright if you came back later? Commander Hurricane and I were having an IMPORTANT discussion."

Glancing at Pansy nervously, Hurricane ignored the green mare’s words. “Well I got some important stuff to do…somewhere else…so if you need anything else Derpy, you may talk to Lieutenant General Dash or Private Pansy."

Snatching up the letter, Hurricane zoomed out of the office so fast it would have made Rainbow Dash proud. *****

"And this is where I usually am!" Dash exclaimed, pushing a door open.

Pinkie’s eyes widened in awe as she stepped into the office. “Wow, Dashie! It’s so bright!"

Dash followed her, glancing around at the colours she used to decorate. Mostly blues and oranges splashed on the walls, some forming lightning bolts shooting out from grey fluffy clouds. “Yeah. I mean, if this was the one place I was in more than my home and out training, I wanted it to look somewhat nice."

"Oh! There’s some pink!" Pinkie exclaimed, rushing up to a randomly placed pink balloon. “It’s… Why is it here?"

"I… Put that there after ‘Shy and I came back the first time…" Dash slowly admitted, walking up to stand beside Pinkie. “I really missed you…"

Pinkie stared at the balloon in silence, slowly turning to smile at Rainbow Dash. “That’s so sweet of you, Dashie…"

"Yeah well, it’s nothing compared to your snow sculptures…" Dash shrugged nonchalantly.

Pinkie smiled, bouncing around the room. “But it’s so blue and orange! What if we added some MORE pink, and maybe purple, oh and DEFINITELY green and yellow! Oh let’s not forget red…! GASP! We could throw up some streamers and confetti and bean bag chairs and make it a party away from a party!"

"Let’s not and say we did…" Dash chuckled, watching the pink mare run around the room, looking at various things. “‘Sides, when I become leader I’ll have to take over Hurricane’s office. Not much point, really… We could save it for when our home’s finished and you can go wild decorating…?"

"EVEN BETTER!" Pinkie beamed. *****

Hurricane skidded to a halt, looking at her surroundings, her heart racing. That was close, she decided, sitting down with a deep sigh. She glanced up at the sign she sat before, biting her lower lip.

"The Cemetery…" She quietly muttered, getting up again.

She walked under the sign, glancing around at the tombstones before her. Even if she hadn’t been here since she began training Rainbow Dash years before, she knew the path to Blizzard’s grave by heart.

She came to a halt before the stone, feeling her heart clench up.

"Blizzard…" She whispered, sitting down in front of the tombstone as close as she could. “Blizzard I’m so lost…"

She pulled off her helmet, letting her yellow mane fall into her eyes. She leaned forward, resting her head against the cold stone, closing her eyes before any tears could form again.

"What do I do…?" *****

Pansy dragged herself slowly out of Hurricane’s office, her head hanging in despair. She had somehow gotten Derpy to stop asking her about what was going on. Thank goodness for muffins…

Pansy halted at the sound of soft giggling. Turning curiously toward the noise, she trotted quietly up to Lieutenant General Dash’s office door and peered inside. She spotted Pinkie and Dash locked in a passionate and loving kiss, hooves holding each other tightly.

Shooting away from the door embarrassed, Pansy felt her heart clench painfully.

"Is…there something wrong with me?" Pansy quietly whispered.

Thoughts of Hurricane being so desperate to get away from her tore at her heart. She unconsciously wrapped her tail around herself in comfort, hoping to drive these lonely feelings away.

Looking up at Rainbow Dash’s office door, she sighed sadly. “Why can’t we be like that…’ *****

After several moments at Blizzard’s grave, Hurricane finally opened up the letter Derpy had rushed to her office. As she read it, it became harder and harder for her to restrain herself from smashing in one of the headstones in rage.

Princess Platinum had demanded that the pegasi tribe fix the weather. Otherwise they would take extreme measures and take their food; which Platinum claimed to be rightfully theirs. Hurricane was just about ready to fly all the way to the unicorn tribe and pay a special visit to Princess Platinum herself, when an idea struck her.

Why do we even have to stay here anyway? The land was becoming more and more harsh and the upper cloud levels of the pegasi tribe have become tainted with magic, leaving several pegasi homeless and struggling to find some ground shelter. Her tribe was starving and losing hope with each day that passed.

A determined grin formed on Hurricane’s face. She was going to find her tribe a new place to live, no matter what it took. *****

"You want to WHAT?" Hurricane rolled her eyes as Rainbow Dash stood in her office, eyes wide and mouth dropped to the ground.

It had been several days since Hurricane had received the letter from Princess Platinum. It had taken the Commander a few more days, most of which spent finding hiding places to avoid Pansy, for her to reach her decision.

"You heard me, Lieutenant General. Move the tribe. The clouds are ruined, all tainted with some mysterious magic. Besides, you said yourself the rabid manticores were increasing day by day at an unnatural rate." Hurricane spoke with finality in her voice.

Rainbow Dash shook her head free of her confusions. “Yeah, but moving an entire TRIBE, Hurricane? It’s impossible! There’s way too many new foals being born, and not enough-"

"I’ve made up my mind!" Hurricane snapped, glaring at the cyan Pegasus. “Go inform everypony of this decision!"

"Hurricane, what’s WITH you lately? Sheesh, you’ve been in such a crabby mood!" Dash muttered, ruffling her wings in preparation of taking off. “You and Pansy have been acting weird since I returned…"

Hurricane visibly tenses at the green mare’s name. Dash frowned, glaring suspiciously at her Commander. “What did you do?"

"Nothing." Hurricane snorted, looking everywhere except the cyan mare staring at her accusingly.

"… Liar." Rainbow Dash sighed, shaking her head. “Hurricane, you know there’s going to be zero happiness about this, right?" Dash frowned, recalling how Pinkie had just started decorating their new home. “I’m pretty sure this can all get sorted if we just-"

"Why are you not informing the tribe?" Hurricane growled, glaring at Dash. “Or are you trying to tell me you would openly help the Unicorns take our food supply that feeds the tribe?"

"No- Ugh! Fine I’m going, I’m going…" Dash grumbled, turning and stalking to the closed door of the office. “Don’t blame me if there’s riots…"

Ripping the door open, Dash was startled to find Pansy on the other side. “Pansy?"

"I’m afraid the Lieutenant General is right…Nopony would be happy about this news, especially since we wouldn’t know where we are going. We should send out a small search party of two ponies to find someplace better first before we make such hasty decisions, Commander." Pansy’s tone was harsh and bitter, making Hurricane’s fur stand on end.

"You know she’s right, Hurricane." Dash began ever oblivious to the thick tension that had developed in the room, “We should send out some pegasi to search for someplace better. This way nopony will feel as if they are being led on some crazy wild goose chase!"

Hurricane fidgeted, avoiding the piercing gaze of the green pegasus, “I suppose you are right… Wait, Private why were you listening in on this conversation?"

Pansy’s ears twitched in annoyance, “It seems to be the only way I can get information about things I’m supposed to know about, Commander." A scalding glare shot from Pansy’s eyes, making Hurricane unconsciously shrink slightly away from the gaze.

An idea suddenly popped into Hurricane’s head. “I could go out and search for new land. This is my idea after all, everypony would be much happier if I do it."

Dash grinned at Hurricane. “That’s a great idea, Hurricane! Everypony WOULD be much happier if you did that, and they would be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more willing to follow you to the new land! Great. Conflict averted, we can all go ho- wait." The cyan pony rubbed her hoof against her chin in thought, “who would we send to go with you?"

Pansy stepped forward, her gaze never leaving Hurricane, “I will go with her."

Hurricane froze, “N-no way, Private. Everypony else needs you here!"

Before Pansy could retort, Dash responded with a grin, “We can do without Pansy. Fluttershy is back at the head of the medical team, and all of her other duties can easily be taken care of by several other ponies."

A smug grin formed on Pansy’s face.

"Besides, what if you get hurt? You’d need an experienced medic with you." Dash finished, a proud smirk on her face. “See aren’t I a genius?"

Hurricane stared back at Pansy like a deer caught in headlights. “A-are you sure there is nopony else?"

Pansy’s eyes narrowed, “You already know the answer to that, Commander."

Sighing in resignation, Hurricane unceremoniously dropped her head onto her desk. "…Fine…"

"And thus Commander Hurricane will be finding a new place for the tribe to live!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, gesturing to the grey mare. Hurricane glared at Dash.

"Indeed. Give me five days. At which point I want all of you packed and ready to leave." Hurricane grumbled, completely ignoring the minty green mare at her left side. “Have I made myself clear?"

A chorus of “Yes Commander" echoed around her. Hurricane nodded, and turned to Rainbow Dash. “The tribe is yours for five days. Make sure everypony is ready to leave upon my return."

"Seriously? That’s a LOT of work…" Dash groaned.

"Any free time you have may be spent with Pinkie Pie." Hurricane spoke with a slight smirk.

"YOU GOT IT!" Came Rainbow Dash’s enthusiastic response. The cyan mare saluted her Commander before bolting off to get the tribe organized. Hurricane turned towards Pansy, dread curling up in her stomach.

"A-… Are you ready to set out, Private?" Hurricane shifted uncomfortably under Pansy’s gaze.

"I am ready for more than that, Commander." The scathing look that followed, made Hurricane swallow thickly.

Hurricane nodded quickly. Rushing away to prepare for the long journey and to escape the penetrating stare from Pansy.

"Dash is going to pay for this."

[partyingrainbows-blog-blog]

Hypothermia of the Heart Ch14

"Okay okay that’s ENOUGH!" Hurricane shouted, laughter tinging her voice.

Dash chuckled as she pushed Pansy and Pinkie away. Feeling slightly off balance from the push, she attempted to regain herself before she fell of her Commander’s back. “Come on. I’m gonna fall over guys. We’ll do stuff like this again sometime… Hopefully when I’m not all, you know, injured."

"Aw, but Dashie, Pansy and I were winning!" Pinkie chirped, humming happily.

"Actually…" Hurricane began, looking past a group of clouds. “We probably should. We’re nearing base. I’m sure that Rainbow Dash would receive a very warm welcome…"

"Especially after Hurricane nearly destroyed the tribe." Pansy snickered softly, glancing over at the grey mare.

"Pansy! She doesn’t need to know that!" Hurricane gave Pansy a false panicked look, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Dash felt her mind go blank. “Destroyed the TRIBE? The hay did you do Hurricane?"

"Many things. One of them not bathing. That, and sending Defense Shield to the clinic. Oh, as well as maybe sending various others to the clinic for bloody noses and various other things." Hurricane gave a nervous laugh. “I was… Very stressed."

"Isn’t that what a parent normally does when a child goes missing?" Pansy asked carefully, flying her and Pinkie a safe distance away from Hurricane. “Become worried and stressed…?"

Huffing in annoyance Hurricane looked over at Pansy, “S-shut up…"

Pinkie giggled softly, “Somepony’s a little defensive…" She muttered quietly into Pansy’s ear. An amused smile slowly formed on the green mare’s face.

As they neared the tribe, Hurricane paused, hovering in midair causing the other two groups to stop.

"Why are we stopping?" Fluttershy inquired quietly.

Applejack shrugged, “Maybe miss Hurricane has somethin ta say."

The two groups approached Hurricane with identical looks of confusion.

"Are there special orders you have for us Hurricane?" Pansy recognised the look that formed on Hurricane’s face…It was the same look she held whenever she was leading troupes to battle.

Hurricane addressed the group with a stern commanding voice. “Chief Sergeant Fluttershy, Private Pansy, protect the earth ponies. Some may not be so welcoming of them."

"If they lay ONE hoof on Pinkie I’ll rip them apart limb by limb!" Dash growled.

Pansy nodded, shifting her weight. “Yes, Commander Hurricane!"

Fluttershy saluted quickly, mentally preparing herself for the shock of returning to the tribe after being attacked and humiliated by many of them. Fear crawled down her spine, making the yellow mare shiver involuntary.

"You alright Fluttersha?" A concerned voice drifted softly into the yellow mare’s ears.

"I-I’m just a little…nervous.. Applejack." Fluttershy squeaked out, staring at the tribe with growing anxiety.

"Now don’t you worry none sugarcube. Me an everypony else here won’t let no nasty varmints do anything bad to ya." Applejack calmly spoke, comforting the agitated mare.

The odd group slowly descended into the Pegasi tribe. Many immediately stopped what they were doing, watching the odd spectacle dumbfounded. Dash groaned in annoyance, she didn’t like that everypony got to see her looking so vulnerable. Many of the pegasi immediately locked onto the two groups behind Hurricane, eyeing the earth ponies with suspicion and hostility.

The second they landed Pinkie and Applejack leaped off of the backs of the pegasi that carried them. Dash slid off Hurricane slowly, attempting to keep her stomach wounds from tearing open. Her facial bandage caught on Hurricane’s armor and ripped the bandage off, exposing the partially healed gash that dug into her face.

Ignoring what happened, Hurricane, Rainbow Dash, Pansy, and Fluttershy surrounded the earth ponies at all four points with their wings flared defensively at the increasingly confused and hostile crowd.

"What the hay is going on?"

"Why are there dirt ponies here?"

"Aren’t those two the traitors?"

"Why did the Commander come back with them?"

A blur of orange cut through the crowd and screeched in front of Dash, halting many of the questions.

"Rainbow Dash! You’re BACK!" Scootaloo cried in elation, hugging Dash’s foreleg in excitement.

Nearly stumbling back in surprise, Dash smiled kindly down to the small filly.

"Hey Scoots! How have you been while I’ve been away?" Dash smirked, ruffling Scootaloo’s mane happily.

"Great! But I was worried about you. Hurricane said you betrayed the tribe by being with an earth pony. She said you were a liar and a traitor and then she said you were dead , but I knew you weren’t any of those things." At that, Scootaloo glared at Commander Hurricane and snorted softly.

Dash scratched the back of her head and chuckled nervously. “Eh, yeah… about that."

"I made a mistake." Hurricane interrupted, stepping forward still with her wings flared out and covering the two earth ponies. “A huge one that I regret even now, but this is not the place to talk about it. These ponies need medical attention, and I plan to give it to them…"

The Commander looked around at the shocked and slightly angry faces of the pegasi as they stared on at the new ponies, and she growled deeply. “With or without the help of the tribe."

Seeing the usual threatening gleam in Hurricane’s eyes, the other pegasi stepped aside and relaxed their gazes on Pinkie and Applejack.

"You-you’re hurt Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo replied, suddenly noticing the scar on Rainbow Dash’s face and looking worried. “What happened to your face?"

Dash started walking forward through the crowd and spoke from over her shoulder at the young filly. “Gotta go squirt. I’ll talk to ya later okay? When me and my friends are all better."

"Your… friends?" Scootaloo raised an eyebrow and looked behind her at Pinkie Pie and Applejack. “Dash is friends with earth ponies? W-well if they’re friends of Rainbow Dash, then they’re friends of mine."

Seeing Dash walking on ahead towards the tent, Pinkie started bouncing forward, until she noticed the small pegasus staring at her curiously.

Pinkie stopped and smiled brightly, turning to face the filly. “Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie, are you friends with Rainbow Dash?"

Scootaloo nodded slightly, “Uh huh. How long have you known her for?"

"Oh since this year’s food trade. We kinda bumped into each other unknowingly." Pinkie giggled at the inside joke, with Hurricane smiling slightly from behind, and the pink earth pony started bouncing. “Well, it was nice to meet you Scootaloo. I’ll see ya after me and Dashie get fixed up by these nice ponies."

Pinkie bounced away with Pansy following quickly behind her to guard her until she caught up with Dash at the tent. Scootaloo stared intensely at the pink mare, mouth agape. “Dashie?"

Pinkie leaned against the cyan mare carefully, smiling warmly at any Pegasi she happened to meet eyes with. “Everypony is so nice Dashie!"

"Once they know going against Hurricane’s order will most likely get them killed, sure." Dash muttered, rolling her eyes. “Just be careful, Pinks…"

"Duuh!" Pinkie chirped back, leaning forward to kiss Rainbow’s ear before smiling brightly at a group of shocked Pegasi.

"Stop polluting our tribe Rainbow CRASH!" A brown, male pegasus shot up in the air and chucked a large stone straight at Dash.

In a rush of movement, Hurricane deflected the rock into the ground and pinned the unruly pegasus to the ground; blade pressed against his neck.

"What do you think you are doing, Staff Sergeant Dumbbell?" Cold fury flashed in Hurricane’s eyes as she stared menacingly down at the terrified pegasus.

"C-Commander…s-s-she’s with an…" The brown pegasus pauses to gag dramatically, “A DIRT pony!"

Hurricane freezes, looking down at the colt in shock. Was…was this how I acted…

Sensing the dark grey mare’s change in mood, Dumbbell became bolder, “She’s bringing trash into our tribe! She’s not fit to even be called a pegasus anymore!"

A small murmur of agreement came from a few of the pegasi in the crowd. Some slowly advancing toward the small group of pegasi.

A sharp crack resonated throughout the area, followed by a garbled scream of agony. Hurricane lifted her blood splattered hoof away from the wounded colt. The rebelling pegasi halted, many returning back to the crowd meekly.

Hurricane glared down at Dumbbell, her eyes colder than ice, “That is no way to talk about your commanding officer, Staff Sergeant."

Hurricane released the trembling colt. He scrambled away desperately, holding his broken muzzle. Turning to face the crowd, Hurricane growled.

"Anypony else want to say something?" Her dark eyes scanned the crowd. Many pegasi wilting under her gaze. “I’d be happy to hear it, if you would like to speak up."

A gentle nudge broke Hurricane’s concentration. Turning towards the source, her eyes locked with soft purple ones.

"Commander, they learned their lesson. Please…stop.." Pansy pleaded quietly, looking up meaningfully at Hurricane.

Hurricane’s wings twitched. Huffing, the grey mare returned to the group of injured ponies, followed by a smiling mint green pony.

"Is the medical team ready Pansy?" Hurricane asked, stepping aside to allow the smaller pegasus entrance to the medic tent.

Pansy nodded to her Commander and the others as she walked on ahead and peeked inside, speaking urgently to the ponies within. She pulled her head back out and opened the tent’s flap, directing the injured ponies in.

They all filed in quickly, feeling piercing eyes on them, but ignoring them all the same. As Hurricane neared the entrance, she glared out at the group of gathered ponies, causing most to disperse except for ponies eager to see if they were alright.

Hurricane turned back and saw Pansy smiling at her to enter. Walking closer to Pansy, the grey pegasus nuzzled her gently. “Thank you… for helping me so much, Pansy."

The icy blue eyed pony walked briskly into the tent, leaving Pansy to question the inner machinations of Hurricane’s mind even more.

"You…you’re welcome." She whispered and stepped into the tent as well, seeing that all the injured ponies were seated comfortably in the beds.

The nurse pegasi stood off to the side of the tent, glancing around worriedly at the four injured ponies as they each became settled into the beds. Hurricane sat in the middle of them, glancing at each of the beds occupants worriedly.

Pansy walked in slowly, stopping next to Commander Hurricane and addressing the pegasi she had asked to set up the tent.

"Now… I know you’ve never had earth ponies here to treat before… and I’m sure you’re not exactly eager to help them either, but…" Pansy looked to Dash, staring at her reassuringly, and then at Hurricane, before continuing, "… they are friends of Lieutenant General Rainbow Dash, and I think you could make an exception."

"But she was banished from the tribe!" A pale purple stallion mumbled, looking bravely at Hurricane. “Plus you sent a quarter of the tribe after her to kill her."

"I have recalled her to duty, as well as Fluttershy." Hurricane started, smiling at Dash and Fluttershy kindly. “The earth ponies are their friends… and… why I became so upset with Rainbow Dash in the first place wasn’t something she or the others deserved, even if they are dirt ponies." Hurricane smirked jokingly at Pinkie; the pink earth pony grinned back at her. “So, would it be alright if you could attend to these ponies’ injuries immediately?"

At hearing the Commander’s surprisingly soft words of help, the nurses nodded firmly and began examining the ponies’ injuries. With Dash’s wounds seeming to be the most pronounced, and with a little encouragement to help her from Pinkie Pie, the doctors focused mainly on the cyan mare, while Pinkie and Hurricane watched.

"Do you think she’ll be alright?" Pinkie asked quietly, so as not to disturb the nurses.

Pansy stood next to them, concern for the cyan pegasus etched on her face. “It’s hard to say, those injuries were pretty bad, but that was back in the cave. We didn’t have all the supplies necessary to treat such wounds. Now here, we are much more prepared, and these were some of the most qualified nurse and doctor pegasi I could find other than Fluttershy."

"She’ll be alright. I know for a fact that Dash would never let an injury beat her, even a bunch of them at once…" Hurricane spoke calmly, but suddenly she was smirking again and looking at Pinkie in her seat, “and I think a certain somepony might have something to do with it as well."

The pink mare stared confusedly at the Commander before a realisation struck her, and she raised a hoof to her chest. “Me?"

"Yes you." Pansy gestured to the seated earth pony, “She’s been fighting for you this whole time."

Pinkie blushed, keeping her eyes trained on Rainbow Dash. Hurricane watched the pink mare, curious. “I wonder why, though. You must be pretty special for her to fight for you."

"I’m nothing special," Pinkie chirped in reply, smiling happily at Hurricane. “Really lucky, more like."

"Either way. I suppose we’re going to have to find a home on the ground now, assuming you’d be willing to stay." Hurricane looked ahead of her, watching the pink earth pony out of the corner of her eye. “I don’t think that house in the mountain is quite suitable, especially after what happened… And assuming you have no where else to go."

Pinkie and Pansy each sat in stunned silence.

"Me? Stay here? But I’m not a Pegasus!" Pinkie squeaked in response, her eyes wide. “A lot of ponies looked like they wanted to kill me! I’ll just be in the way, and everything is all clouds!"

"I’m pretty sure the only way Rainbow Dash would stay is if you stayed," explained Hurricane, turning to smile at Pinkie. “And think of it as the beginning of my apology to you both."

Tears of joy burst from Pinkie’s eyes. She launched herself forward and nearly knocked over a startled Hurricane with a tight embrace. I…I finally belong somewhere…

Everypony in the room froze, watching the scene with curious and horrified eyes. Patting Pinkie’s back awkwardly, Hurricane looked up and glared at the prying eyes.

"What are you looking at me for? Get back to work!" In an instant all the medical pegasi returned to work, a little more frantic than before.

Clearing her throat, Hurricane gently pushed the pink mare away. “You should go see how Lieutenant General Rainbow Dash is doing. I’m sure she would like to see you… so you can tell her the news."

Leaping in the air, Pinkie gasped loudly, drawing several curious eyes at the pink mare. “Oh my gosh you are so right!" Grabbing and hugging Hurricane a little too tightly around the neck in thanks, Pinkie rushed over to Rainbow Dash to tell her the news.

Coughing and gingerly rubbing her neck, Hurricane felt another pony press slightly against her as they sat down. “That was really nice of you, Commander Hurricane."

Pansy looked up at Hurricane, eyes sparkling with an emotion that the larger grey mare couldn’t quite identify. Fidgeting slightly under the green mare’s gaze, Hurricane looked away from Pansy with a slight huff.

"Yea well…they deserve it after all the things they went through…" A small smile crepted its way onto Hurricane’s face. Pinkie and Rainbow were embracing happily, looking as if nothing in the entire world could ever bring them down.

Pansy smiled happily at the couple for a few minutes before a small frown formed on her face. “Commander…there is a serious matter I think needs to be discussed."

The sudden change in atmosphere weighed heavily on the two pegasi. “What is it, Private?" Hurricane calmly addressed Pansy, turning toward her giving the green mare her full attention.

"There’s something wrong with the clouds. None of the weather pegasi can manipulate them. The clouds continue to get worse and worse, and have begun snowing heavily without any sign of stopping…" Peering out of the tent, Pansy sighed in slight relief, “The snow seems to not be nearly as bad as it has been but…it’s still rather bad."

A serious expression clouded Hurricane’s face, “Why wasn’t I told of this before, Pansy?"

Pansy looked at her hooves, embarrassed, “Because before you were depressed. I didn’t want to put more pressure on you than what you already had."

Hurricane stared critically at the nervous pegasus before sighing heavily and moving slightly closer to the mint green mare. Hurricane gently set a hesitant fore-hoof over Pansy’s. "… I’m sorry I worried you so much. I realise now that what you were trying to do was cheer me up about what I had done… so thank you… and that bathroom thing was a sneaky little trick… but it was fun."

Pansy’s heart fluttered at the contact. A light blush covered her face as she looked at the dark grey hoof covering her own. Why…am I feeling this way?

A messenger pegasus burst into the medical tent, effectively ruining the moment. “Commander! We are running low on food! Some of the storage buildings got seriously damaged and all the food in there has been ruined!"

A grim look covered Hurricane’s face. “How much food did we lose?"

The messenger visibly drooped, “O-over half of our stock…"

"Over half? Oh no, does that mean you’re gonna have to borrow more food from the earth ponies?" Pinkie spoke with a worried tone. She had been shooed away from Dash so the pegasi doctors could continue their work.

"Okay okay that’s ENOUGH!" Hurricane shouted, laughter tinging her voice.

Dash chuckled as she pushed Pansy and Pinkie away. Feeling slightly off balance from the push, she attempted to regain herself before she fell of her Commander’s back. “Come on. I’m gonna fall over guys. We’ll do stuff like this again sometime… Hopefully when I’m not all, you know, injured."

"Aw, but Dashie, Pansy and I were winning!" Pinkie chirped, humming happily.

"Actually…" Hurricane began, looking past a group of clouds. “We probably should. We’re nearing base. I’m sure that Rainbow Dash would receive a very warm welcome…"

"Especially after Hurricane nearly destroyed the tribe." Pansy snickered softly, glancing over at the grey mare.

"Pansy! She doesn’t need to know that!" Hurricane gave Pansy a false panicked look, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Dash felt her mind go blank. “Destroyed the TRIBE? The hay did you do Hurricane?"

"Many things. One of them not bathing. That, and sending Defense Shield to the clinic. Oh, as well as maybe sending various others to the clinic for bloody noses and various other things." Hurricane gave a nervous laugh. “I was… Very stressed."

"Isn’t that what a parent normally does when a child goes missing?" Pansy asked carefully, flying her and Pinkie a safe distance away from Hurricane. “Become worried and stressed…?"

Huffing in annoyance Hurricane looked over at Pansy, “S-shut up…"

Pinkie giggled softly, “Somepony’s a little defensive…" She muttered quietly into Pansy’s ear. An amused smile slowly formed on the green mare’s face.

As they neared the tribe, Hurricane paused, hovering in midair causing the other two groups to stop.

"Why are we stopping?" Fluttershy inquired quietly.

Applejack shrugged, “Maybe miss Hurricane has somethin ta say."

The two groups approached Hurricane with identical looks of confusion.

"Are there special orders you have for us Hurricane?" Pansy recognised the look that formed on Hurricane’s face…It was the same look she held whenever she was leading troupes to battle.

Hurricane addressed the group with a stern commanding voice. “Chief Sergeant Fluttershy, Private Pansy, protect the earth ponies. Some may not be so welcoming of them."

"If they lay ONE hoof on Pinkie I’ll rip them apart limb by limb!" Dash growled.

Pansy nodded, shifting her weight. “Yes, Commander Hurricane!"

Fluttershy saluted quickly, mentally preparing herself for the shock of returning to the tribe after being attacked and humiliated by many of them. Fear crawled down her spine, making the yellow mare shiver involuntary.

"You alright Fluttersha?" A concerned voice drifted softly into the yellow mare’s ears.

"I-I’m just a little…nervous.. Applejack." Fluttershy squeaked out, staring at the tribe with growing anxiety.

"Now don’t you worry none sugarcube. Me an everypony else here won’t let no nasty varmints do anything bad to ya." Applejack calmly spoke, comforting the agitated mare.

The odd group slowly descended into the Pegasi tribe. Many immediately stopped what they were doing, watching the odd spectacle dumbfounded. Dash groaned in annoyance, she didn’t like that everypony got to see her looking so vulnerable. Many of the pegasi immediately locked onto the two groups behind Hurricane, eyeing the earth ponies with suspicion and hostility.

The second they landed Pinkie and Applejack leaped off of the backs of the pegasi that carried them. Dash slid off Hurricane slowly, attempting to keep her stomach wounds from tearing open. Her facial bandage caught on Hurricane’s armor and ripped the bandage off, exposing the partially healed gash that dug into her face.

Ignoring what happened, Hurricane, Rainbow Dash, Pansy, and Fluttershy surrounded the earth ponies at all four points with their wings flared defensively at the increasingly confused and hostile crowd.

"What the hay is going on?"

"Why are there dirt ponies here?"

"Aren’t those two the traitors?"

"Why did the Commander come back with them?"

A blur of orange cut through the crowd and screeched in front of Dash, halting many of the questions.

"Rainbow Dash! You’re BACK!" Scootaloo cried in elation, hugging Dash’s foreleg in excitement.

Nearly stumbling back in surprise, Dash smiled kindly down to the small filly.

"Hey Scoots! How have you been while I’ve been away?" Dash smirked, ruffling Scootaloo’s mane happily.

"Great! But I was worried about you. Hurricane said you betrayed the tribe by being with an earth pony. She said you were a liar and a traitor and then she said you were dead , but I knew you weren’t any of those things." At that, Scootaloo glared at Commander Hurricane and snorted softly.

Dash scratched the back of her head and chuckled nervously. “Eh, yeah… about that."

"I made a mistake." Hurricane interrupted, stepping forward still with her wings flared out and covering the two earth ponies. “A huge one that I regret even now, but this is not the place to talk about it. These ponies need medical attention, and I plan to give it to them…"

The Commander looked around at the shocked and slightly angry faces of the pegasi as they stared on at the new ponies, and she growled deeply. “With or without the help of the tribe."

Seeing the usual threatening gleam in Hurricane’s eyes, the other pegasi stepped aside and relaxed their gazes on Pinkie and Applejack.

"You-you’re hurt Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo replied, suddenly noticing the scar on Rainbow Dash’s face and looking worried. “What happened to your face?"

Dash started walking forward through the crowd and spoke from over her shoulder at the young filly. “Gotta go squirt. I’ll talk to ya later okay? When me and my friends are all better."

"Your… friends?" Scootaloo raised an eyebrow and looked behind her at Pinkie Pie and Applejack. “Dash is friends with earth ponies? W-well if they’re friends of Rainbow Dash, then they’re friends of mine."

Seeing Dash walking on ahead towards the tent, Pinkie started bouncing forward, until she noticed the small pegasus staring at her curiously.

Pinkie stopped and smiled brightly, turning to face the filly. “Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie, are you friends with Rainbow Dash?"

Scootaloo nodded slightly, “Uh huh. How long have you known her for?"

"Oh since this year’s food trade. We kinda bumped into each other unknowingly." Pinkie giggled at the inside joke, with Hurricane smiling slightly from behind, and the pink earth pony started bouncing. “Well, it was nice to meet you Scootaloo. I’ll see ya after me and Dashie get fixed up by these nice ponies."

Pinkie bounced away with Pansy following quickly behind her to guard her until she caught up with Dash at the tent. Scootaloo stared intensely at the pink mare, mouth agape. “Dashie?"

Pinkie leaned against the cyan mare carefully, smiling warmly at any Pegasi she happened to meet eyes with. “Everypony is so nice Dashie!"

"Once they know going against Hurricane’s order will most likely get them killed, sure." Dash muttered, rolling her eyes. “Just be careful, Pinks…"

"Duuh!" Pinkie chirped back, leaning forward to kiss Rainbow’s ear before smiling brightly at a group of shocked Pegasi.

"Stop polluting our tribe Rainbow CRASH!" A brown, male pegasus shot up in the air and chucked a large stone straight at Dash.

In a rush of movement, Hurricane deflected the rock into the ground and pinned the unruly pegasus to the ground; blade pressed against his neck.

"What do you think you are doing, Staff Sergeant Dumbbell?" Cold fury flashed in Hurricane’s eyes as she stared menacingly down at the terrified pegasus.

"C-Commander…s-s-she’s with an…" The brown pegasus pauses to gag dramatically, “A DIRT pony!"

Hurricane freezes, looking down at the colt in shock. Was…was this how I acted…

Sensing the dark grey mare’s change in mood, Dumbbell became bolder, “She’s bringing trash into our tribe! She’s not fit to even be called a pegasus anymore!"

A small murmur of agreement came from a few of the pegasi in the crowd. Some slowly advancing toward the small group of pegasi.

A sharp crack resonated throughout the area, followed by a garbled scream of agony. Hurricane lifted her blood splattered hoof away from the wounded colt. The rebelling pegasi halted, many returning back to the crowd meekly.

Hurricane glared down at Dumbbell, her eyes colder than ice, “That is no way to talk about your commanding officer, Staff Sergeant."

Hurricane released the trembling colt. He scrambled away desperately, holding his broken muzzle. Turning to face the crowd, Hurricane growled.

"Anypony else want to say something?" Her dark eyes scanned the crowd. Many pegasi wilting under her gaze. “I’d be happy to hear it, if you would like to speak up."

A gentle nudge broke Hurricane’s concentration. Turning towards the source, her eyes locked with soft purple ones.

"Commander, they learned their lesson. Please…stop.." Pansy pleaded quietly, looking up meaningfully at Hurricane.

Hurricane’s wings twitched. Huffing, the grey mare returned to the group of injured ponies, followed by a smiling mint green pony.

"Is the medical team ready Pansy?" Hurricane asked, stepping aside to allow the smaller pegasus entrance to the medic tent.

Pansy nodded to her Commander and the others as she walked on ahead and peeked inside, speaking urgently to the ponies within. She pulled her head back out and opened the tent’s flap, directing the injured ponies in.

They all filed in quickly, feeling piercing eyes on them, but ignoring them all the same. As Hurricane neared the entrance, she glared out at the group of gathered ponies, causing most to disperse except for ponies eager to see if they were alright.

Hurricane turned back and saw Pansy smiling at her to enter. Walking closer to Pansy, the grey pegasus nuzzled her gently. “Thank you… for helping me so much, Pansy."

The icy blue eyed pony walked briskly into the tent, leaving Pansy to question the inner machinations of Hurricane’s mind even more.

"You…you’re welcome." She whispered and stepped into the tent as well, seeing that all the injured ponies were seated comfortably in the beds.

The nurse pegasi stood off to the side of the tent, glancing around worriedly at the four injured ponies as they each became settled into the beds. Hurricane sat in the middle of them, glancing at each of the beds occupants worriedly.

Pansy walked in slowly, stopping next to Commander Hurricane and addressing the pegasi she had asked to set up the tent.

"Now… I know you’ve never had earth ponies here to treat before… and I’m sure you’re not exactly eager to help them either, but…" Pansy looked to Dash, staring at her reassuringly, and then at Hurricane, before continuing, "… they are friends of Lieutenant General Rainbow Dash, and I think you could make an exception."

"But she was banished from the tribe!" A pale purple stallion mumbled, looking bravely at Hurricane. “Plus you sent a quarter of the tribe after her to kill her."

"I have recalled her to duty, as well as Fluttershy." Hurricane started, smiling at Dash and Fluttershy kindly. “The earth ponies are their friends… and… why I became so upset with Rainbow Dash in the first place wasn’t something she or the others deserved, even if they are dirt ponies." Hurricane smirked jokingly at Pinkie; the pink earth pony grinned back at her. “So, would it be alright if you could attend to these ponies’ injuries immediately?"

At hearing the Commander’s surprisingly soft words of help, the nurses nodded firmly and began examining the ponies’ injuries. With Dash’s wounds seeming to be the most pronounced, and with a little encouragement to help her from Pinkie Pie, the doctors focused mainly on the cyan mare, while Pinkie and Hurricane watched.

"Do you think she’ll be alright?" Pinkie asked quietly, so as not to disturb the nurses.

Pansy stood next to them, concern for the cyan pegasus etched on her face. “It’s hard to say, those injuries were pretty bad, but that was back in the cave. We didn’t have all the supplies necessary to treat such wounds. Now here, we are much more prepared, and these were some of the most qualified nurse and doctor pegasi I could find other than Fluttershy."

"She’ll be alright. I know for a fact that Dash would never let an injury beat her, even a bunch of them at once…" Hurricane spoke calmly, but suddenly she was smirking again and looking at Pinkie in her seat, “and I think a certain somepony might have something to do with it as well."

The pink mare stared confusedly at the Commander before a realisation struck her, and she raised a hoof to her chest. “Me?"

"Yes you." Pansy gestured to the seated earth pony, “She’s been fighting for you this whole time."

Pinkie blushed, keeping her eyes trained on Rainbow Dash. Hurricane watched the pink mare, curious. “I wonder why, though. You must be pretty special for her to fight for you."

"I’m nothing special," Pinkie chirped in reply, smiling happily at Hurricane. “Really lucky, more like."

"Either way. I suppose we’re going to have to find a home on the ground now, assuming you’d be willing to stay." Hurricane looked ahead of her, watching the pink earth pony out of the corner of her eye. “I don’t think that house in the mountain is quite suitable, especially after what happened… And assuming you have no where else to go."

Pinkie and Pansy each sat in stunned silence.

"Me? Stay here? But I’m not a Pegasus!" Pinkie squeaked in response, her eyes wide. “A lot of ponies looked like they wanted to kill me! I’ll just be in the way, and everything is all clouds!"

"I’m pretty sure the only way Rainbow Dash would stay is if you stayed," explained Hurricane, turning to smile at Pinkie. “And think of it as the beginning of my apology to you both."

Tears of joy burst from Pinkie’s eyes. She launched herself forward and nearly knocked over a startled Hurricane with a tight embrace. I…I finally belong somewhere…

Everypony in the room froze, watching the scene with curious and horrified eyes. Patting Pinkie’s back awkwardly, Hurricane looked up and glared at the prying eyes.

"What are you looking at me for? Get back to work!" In an instant all the medical pegasi returned to work, a little more frantic than before.

Clearing her throat, Hurricane gently pushed the pink mare away. “You should go see how Lieutenant General Rainbow Dash is doing. I’m sure she would like to see you… so you can tell her the news."

Leaping in the air, Pinkie gasped loudly, drawing several curious eyes at the pink mare. “Oh my gosh you are so right!" Grabbing and hugging Hurricane a little too tightly around the neck in thanks, Pinkie rushed over to Rainbow Dash to tell her the news.

Coughing and gingerly rubbing her neck, Hurricane felt another pony press slightly against her as they sat down. “That was really nice of you, Commander Hurricane."

Pansy looked up at Hurricane, eyes sparkling with an emotion that the larger grey mare couldn’t quite identify. Fidgeting slightly under the green mare’s gaze, Hurricane looked away from Pansy with a slight huff.

"Yea well…they deserve it after all the things they went through…" A small smile crepted its way onto Hurricane’s face. Pinkie and Rainbow were embracing happily, looking as if nothing in the entire world could ever bring them down.

Pansy smiled happily at the couple for a few minutes before a small frown formed on her face. “Commander…there is a serious matter I think needs to be discussed."

The sudden change in atmosphere weighed heavily on the two pegasi. “What is it, Private?" Hurricane calmly addressed Pansy, turning toward her giving the green mare her full attention.

"There’s something wrong with the clouds. None of the weather pegasi can manipulate them. The clouds continue to get worse and worse, and have begun snowing heavily without any sign of stopping…" Peering out of the tent, Pansy sighed in slight relief, “The snow seems to not be nearly as bad as it has been but…it’s still rather bad."

A serious expression clouded Hurricane’s face, “Why wasn’t I told of this before, Pansy?"

Pansy looked at her hooves, embarrassed, “Because before you were depressed. I didn’t want to put more pressure on you than what you already had."

Hurricane stared critically at the nervous pegasus before sighing heavily and moving slightly closer to the mint green mare. Hurricane gently set a hesitant fore-hoof over Pansy’s. "… I’m sorry I worried you so much. I realise now that what you were trying to do was cheer me up about what I had done… so thank you… and that bathroom thing was a sneaky little trick… but it was fun."

Pansy’s heart fluttered at the contact. A light blush covered her face as she looked at the dark grey hoof covering her own. Why…am I feeling this way?

A messenger pegasus burst into the medical tent, effectively ruining the moment. “Commander! We are running low on food! Some of the storage buildings got seriously damaged and all the food in there has been ruined!"

A grim look covered Hurricane’s face. “How much food did we lose?"

The messenger visibly drooped, “O-over half of our stock…"

"Over half? Oh no, does that mean you’re gonna have to borrow more food from the earth ponies?" Pinkie spoke with a worried tone. She had been shooed away from Dash so the pegasi doctors could continue their work.

Sighing, Hurricane turned toward Pinkie with a serious expression. “Yes…we are going to have to get more food from the earth ponies. Pegasi aren’t skilled enough to grow food. It’s some kind of magical connection earth ponies have with the ground that gives them such abilities. Besides, Pegasi are meant to be airborne…"

"But we need that food Hurricane." Applejack trotted over to Hurricane, her injuries already treated and re-bandaged. “We don’t have enough for yew."

"Well if you dirt ponies didn’t try to hog most of the food every year we wouldn’t be having this problem." Hurricane’s eyes narrowed slightly at the orange mare.

The room seemed to become deathly quiet. Almost everypony in the room watching the two ponies snarl at each other in their heated argument.

Growling, Applejack met Hurricane’s glare with one of her own. “Taint mah fault yew got faulty buildings. Besides, Ah just deliver the food to Chancellor Pudding-Head. She always has the ponies that work for her separate the food into different piles for each tribe."

"So this is all your leaders fault…" Angry thoughts sped through Hurricane’s mind, “The clouds must be the good for nothing unicorns trying to control everything so we have no choice but to bend to their will."

Face contorting into a snarl, Hurricane stormed out of the tent heading straight for the military base. In her haste she nearly trampled a small orange filly waiting outside of the tent for her hero.

"Watch it, Scootaloo." Hurricane snapped.

Hurricane’s anger built with each step she made toward the base. By the time she made it into her office she was practically livid. Crying out in fury Hurricane did the only thing she could think of. She smashed her hoof into her desk, making the stone surface crack and crumble slightly from the force.

"Please don’t break another desk, Hurricane." A timid voice floated into the furious grey mare’s ears. Whipping around Hurricane came face to face with Pansy.

"Why should I listen, Private?" Hurricane snarled, spinning away to stare at the wall behind her desk. “This is a nightmare! One mistake after the other! Those other two tribes are ruining everything for everypony!"

Pansy felt a pang in her heart at the harshness of the grey mare’s words. Slowly approaching, Pansy began pleading softly. “Hurricane, please ca-"

"Don’t you DARE tell me to calm down Pansy!" Came a sharp reply, only momentarily followed by a desk smashing into the wall right above Pansy. “How DARE you! If I don’t do something the tribe’s going to die!"

Pansy stood frozen in her spot, eyes locked on Hurricane. “Would you please-"

"GET OUT PRIVATE!" A vase flew at Pansy, with the green mare only having enough time to duck quickly in order to prevent herself from being knocked out. “GET OUT RIGHT NOW!"

Pansy bolted, fear and hurt clenching her heart. As much as the past week had changed Hurricane, it still wasn’t enough to cure her from her anger. She raced towards the medic tent, determined to speak with Rainbow Dash. If only to prepare her for Hurricane’s fury.

"Rainbow Dash…!"

Dash was sitting outside the tent, talking to a group of pegasi that surrounded her, Pinkie right at her side. Both mares looked up as the green mare as she skidded to a halt beside them.

"What’s up? Something happen?" Pinkie chirped, looking at Pansy with wide curious blue eyes. “You look reeeeeally upset! OH I should throw you a party to cheer you right up and-"

The pink pony’s voice cut off as Dash placed a wing over her mouth, her magenta eyes focused on Pansy. “Hurricane’s going on a rampage again." The cyan mare stated, a frown growing on her face. “Because of the clouds and the food storage buildings been destroyed."

Pansy gaped at Dash in shock, “How did you-?"

A slight grin formed on Dash’s face, before she looked around at the crowd. “Take a guess."

The smile faded quickly and was replaced with a stern serious expression. “Lightning Bolt, take a group of twelve to round up any food that isn’t spoiled. Speed Flare, I want you to take a group of ten to the forest and gather up material to either repair the storage buildings or build a new one. Morning Dew, get your weather patrol team ready to try and figure out what’s going on with the clouds. If needed, I’ll send a group of military to assist you."

"Yes, Lieutenant General!" The three pegasi saluted, before bolting off in separate directions.

"Wow!" Pinkie muttered, glancing at Pansy with wide eyes. “Dashie is SO good at dealing with everypony!"

"She isn’t next in line to be leader for nothing…" Pansy smiled at the pink mare. Turning to face Rainbow Dash her smile fell into a frown. “What are we doing about-"

"First off, give her time to calm down. Second, have a huge tray of those sandwiches she likes ready. After that, we need to deal with her, then the other two tribes to see if this is happening to them as well." Rainbow interrupted, frowning. “After that, who knows."

Several hours went by before Pansy attempted to see Hurricane. Carrying a tray of hay sandwiches on her back, courtesy of Pinkie Pie, she slowly pushed open Hurricane’s office door. Just like when Hurricane found out Dash was secretly seeing an earth pony, Hurricane’s office was a disaster area. Almost everything seemed to be smashed or broken, debris cluttering the entire area. Small streaks of blood stained some of the destroyed objects.

Hurricane sat in the middle of the rubble, head bowed and ears flat against her helmet. Hearing movement, the grey mare peered over her shoulder, too drained to do more than that, and spotted the mint green mare.

"What do you want, Pansy." Hurricane spoke with a hoarse croak.

Pansy moved slowly into the room, carefully shutting the door behind her. “I wanted to see if you were ok Commander…I even brought your favorite food."

Hurricane’s ear twitched, the sound of Pansy’s concerned voice confusing her emotions, “I don’t want them…"

Ignoring Hurricane’s words, Pansy moved around the subdued pegasus and faced her, shock forming on her face. Blood-dried fore-hooves rested in a small puddle of dark red blood that had slowly started to dry and crack. Hurricane never became physically hurt from her rage fits before.

"Hurricane your-!" Pansy sighed, setting the sandwiches down. “You need to be more careful, Hurricane…"

"Didn’t I tell you to-" Hurricane began with a half hearted glare.

"Well I’m not listening. Please, Hurricane… You’re hurt. I’m not going anywhere until you’re patched up." Pansy groaned, nudging Hurricane’s hooves out of the puddle of blood. “I won’t let those wounds get infected, Hurricane."

"… Why are you doing this…?" Hurricane asked, accepting the help. “I don’t deserve this…"

Pansy remained quiet, quickly trotting out of the destroyed room to return with some medical supplies. “I… don’t know… I don’t want you hurt, Hurricane…" Because I care about you…

Pansy shook that thought from her head, carefully cleaning the dried blood off of dark grey hooves and carefully breaking the formed scabs off to treat the wounds for any infection. “We already have Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy injured… We don’t need our Commander injured too…"

Hurricane just continued to watch Pansy, her mind blank. “Worry about them. Not me. I don’t deserve anything…"

"Yes you do." Pansy retorted, looking at Hurricane. “You deserve it just as much as anypony else does. Okay…?"

"I don’t-"

In one swift movement, Pansy grabbed the neck of Hurricane’s armor and yanked her down at her eye level. “Yes. You. Do."

Flashing purple eyes locked with wide dark blue. Hurricane’s jaw hung open in shock as she searched the hard determined face of Pansy. A quick fwooshing sound startled the two mares. Looking over her shoulder, Hurricane stared in a mixture of horror and embarrassment at her outstretched wings, feathers flaring dramatically.

Blushing brightly, Hurricane shoved Pansy away from her and carefully lowered her wings. A irritated and disgruntled expression forming on her face as she sat with a straight and rigid posture. Looking down at her bandaged hooves, Hurricane sighed softly.

"…Thanks…"

"N-… No problem, Commander…" Pansy muttered, looking down.

Hurricane stood up, walking carefully to look out the window. She ignored the tray of sandwiches, and Pansy for that matter. “Bring in Rainbow Dash. I need to speak to her about organizing pa-"

"She’s already got those sent out." Pansy interrupted, keeping her eyes closed. “She sent a group to gather up the remaining food, a group to get building supplies to fix the storage buildings, and she sent a weather patrol out to try and figure out what’s going on with the clouds."

Hurricane paused. “I… Great. I want a full report on everything every half hour."

Pansy looked up at the dark grey pegasus, eyes shining with emotion."Hurricane I…"

"And this will never be mentioned, Pansy. Ever…" Hurricane sighed, shaking her head. “Understood, Private?"

Pansy’s voice wavered as she softly replied. "… Loud and clear…"

Hurricane closed her eyes, shaking her head. “N-… No wait…"

Pansy froze, “What, Hurricane… Make up your mind…" She spat out the bitter words, her eyes narrowing.

Hurricane took a deep breath, and turned to face Pansy. “Forget… I said that… It happened and…"

Say it, Hurricane thought, closing her eyes. Just say it already.

"I’m… Sorry I’m making you worry…" Keep going. “I… I really care about you…"

It was Pansy’s turn to sit in shock, her eyes wide as she stared at Hurricane. “Wh-… What?"

Pinkie bounced around Dash excitedly as Fluttershy slowly lead them to her home.

"Dashie, isn’t it so great to be out of that cave? I think its really awesome! I get to make all kinds of new friends now too!" Pinkie seemed to vibrate with excitement.

Shaking her head at the pink pony’s antics, Dash turned her attention to Fluttershy. “What happened to that bunny I gave you?"

Fluttershy froze, her hoof just resting on the door to her home. “H-he died…" Tears slowly fell from her eyes. “Dumbbell got a hold of him…a-and…"

Dash froze, slowly turning to look at Fluttershy. “He… Killed him?"

A nod. Dash felt fury build up inside her. “That. Bully." She snarled.

"O-oh don’t worry Rainbow! It’s… Fine. I promise. Please don’t hurt him…" Fluttershy faced Dash with pleading eyes.

"Dashie… Take a deep breath of air, okay? We can really throw him off with AWESOME partying skills and stuff okay?" Pinkie smiled brightly, her eyes shining with worry.

"But he KILLED your pet, ‘Shy!" Dash nearly shouted in exasperation.

"It’s fine. I promise…" Fluttershy placed a reassuring fore-hoof on Dash’s shoulder, giving her a meaningful look.

"Dashie. Deep breath." Pinkie instructed, bouncing right in front of the cyan mare. “Don’t lose your temper, Dashie."

Rainbow Dash sighed. “Sorry…"

"Okay uhm… This is my home…!" Fluttershy announced, pushing her door open. “Feel free to come in…"

"Oohh! It’s so pretty Fluttershy!" A loud whoop escaped from Pinkie as she bolted inside, nearly knocking the yellow Pegasus off her hooves. “There’s so many animals! It’s like… Like… GASP! A PETTING ZOO!"

Fluttershy rushed in after Pinkie, trying to keep the excitable mare from causing too much of a racket. “Oh do keep it down the mice are trying to sleep…"

"You heard me, Private." Hurricane huffed in embarrassment, turning away from the green pony and crossing her forelegs across her chest.

Pansy slowly approached Hurricane, pressing against her side gently. Hurricane bristled at the contact.

"Hurricane I-" Pansy began softly.

"Well look at that, my office is a mess! I guess I better clean it up." Hurricane rushed away from Pansy, cleaning up the rubble and scavenging for items that weren’t too broken. She was on edge, unsure how to deal with these new feelings.

Feelings she was surprised to have.

Pansy watched as Hurricane ran around the office, picking up everything that wasn’t broken and putting them back on the bookshelves, moving the remains of her desk back into it’s place, doing everything in her power to not look at the green mare.

"Hurricane…" She began, attempting to step in Hurricane’s path.

"N-… Not now you’re in my way you’re standing on the sandwiches I was going to eat those can you please move so I can-" Hurricane rambled, biting her lower lip. “Can I just-"

"Fine…" Pansy muttered, leaning forward and kissing Hurricane’s cheek. Hurricane felt her face flush with heat, her wings twitch. “Fine. I’ll leave you alone… I’ll be back with the reports…"

Spinning around, Pansy quickly left the office and it’s owner. She closed the door, before bolting away as fast as she could, making as little sound as possible.

Hurricane sat in the middle of the floor, her eyes glued on the door.

"What’s going on… why do I feel like this…" She whispered to herself, closing her eyes.

It had been a LONG time since she had felt anything like this. A very long time. The last pony she had ever cared for, before she began training Rainbow Dash, had been killed in battle. Hurricane looked at the few paintings that remained on the wall, her eyes stopping on the one that sat just above the door to her office.

Her dark blue eyes softened a bit as she continued to look at the painting, a smile forming across her face. “Yeah, I know, Blizzard…" She mumbled, getting up to pick up the tray of slightly squished hay sandwiches. “I know exactly what you’ll say. ‘Don’t push her away, Hurricane’, right?"

She shook her head, picking up one of the sandwiches to take a bite. “I won’t anymore… Mmm, perfect…"

"I wonder where my new home will be…"

Rainbow Dash bit into the cookie she was holding, watching as Pinkie and Fluttershy chatted. She blinked a few times, completely forgetting what the pink earth pony had told her earlier.

"Wha?" She asked, her mouth full of cookie.

"Rainbow Dash!" Came a stern scowl from Fluttershy. “Swallow what’s in your mouth before speaking!"

"Oops." Dash muttered.

Pinkie giggled, bouncing up. “Hurricane said I can stay in the tribe with you, Dashie! She said she’ll build a house and everything! All on the ground!"

"Yeah guess my home’s really out of the question since it’s a bunch of clouds… A bunch of REALLY awesomely sculpted clouds, if I do say so myself." Dash beamed proudly at the two mares sitting in front of her.

"Rainbow Dash is pretty talented with cloud shaping…" Fluttershy smiled, nodding to Pinkie.

"Hurricane’s always joked I should have been a weather pony…" Dash chuckled, making a grab for another cookie. “These are really GOOD, ‘Shy! I didn’t know you baked!"

"… Pinkie made them." Fluttershy spoke with a small smile on her face.

"Silly Dashie!" Pinkie giggled, bouncing up. “Don’t you remember me making these cookies?"

Dash put her hoof to her chin in thought. “I remember you rushing into Fluttershy’s kitchen and the explosion of flour everywhere…but then I got distracted…" She glared down at the sleeping monkey that had decided it would be fun to leap onto her back and yank on her mane.

Sensing Dash’s sudden change in mood, Pinkie yanked the cyan mare into a tight embrace. “Will you stay with me Dashie?"

"I dunno Pinks. The tribe may need me to stay in my home. It’s much closer to base so if there’s any emergencies I can immediately respond to them." Dash calmly replied.

Turning her head to face Pinkie, she froze at the big watery cyan eyes staring back at her. A small trembling frown on her face. Rainbow Dash felt her wings twitch, instantly hating herself for making Pinkie upset.

"Maybe we can get it built close to base…?" She finally muttered, glancing away quickly.

"REALLY?" Pinkie squeezed Dash, nearly cracking some bones in her excitement.

"Y-Yeah." Dash choked out.

The better part of half an hour was spent devouring the sandwiches Pansy had brought in. The other time had been spent cleaning, yet as Hurricane looked around it really did not look any better then it had when she started.

"Oh horseapples," Hurricane muttered, dropping her face down so it made a dull thud against her… Very destroyed desk. “This place is a mess still…"

"Hurricane…?" A soft voice came from the partially cracked door.

Hurricane bolted up, vaguely aware of her wings spreading instantly at the voice. “Come in!"

The door opened, and Pansy stepped in, her eyes glancing over the still destroyed office. “Uhm… The reports…?"

"Oh, right." Hurricane nodded.

Pansy walked forward, keeping her eyes trained on the desk. “Well… We managed to salvage at least three quarters of the food, and the storage is being rebuilt and reinforced. The weather patrol says that nothing they do can move the clouds. It seems like there’s an unknown force controlling them."

"Magic." Hurricane grumbled, sighing. “Anything else?"

"Oh, uhm, no." Pansy shook her head. “That’s it, as far as the three that Rainbow Dash had put in charge of the patrols had to say, at least."

"Good…Pansy, there’s something else I would like to talk to you about…" Pansy’s head shot up, her eyes taking in a nervous, fidgeting grey pegasus.

"…Well…" Hurricane hesitated, feeling increasingly uncomfortable as the seconds ticked by. “I just…you see…uh.."

Pansy watched the scene unfold with wide, unbelieving eyes. Never before has she ever seen Hurricane act so vulnerable. This moment easily topped the strange sight of seeing her and Dash hugging.

”..Never-mind, Pansy.." Hurricane’s grumbled, annoyed at herself for being so nervous. She almost didn’t notice the green pegasus circling the desk, slowly moving closer to her.

Sitting up as straight as possible, Hurricane held her head up high, almost afraid about what could happen. Pansy stopped in front of the grey pony, their chests nearly touching. Her bright purple eyes locking with blue, freezing the larger mare in place.

Green forelegs carefully wrapped around Hurricane’s neck, pulling her head down to Pansy’s height with relative ease. Pansy’s eyes fluttered closed as she slowly moved toward Hurricane.

Hurricane felt as if her heart was trying to beat out of her chest as Pansy slowly closed the distance between them. Not being in control of the situation was seriously disorienting Hurricane. Lifting a bandaged hoof, she gently placed it against Pansy’s chest, halting her movement.

Pansy opened her eyes, a mixture of hurt and confusion swimming within them. Hurricane let out a shaky breath that she didn’t know that she was holding in, her eyes closing in a mixture of relief and frustration.

The gentle grip on Hurricane’s neck suddenly became tight and forceful. Dark eyes shot open, locking with purple eyes that flashed with determination. Pansy darted forward and aggressively kissed Hurricane, nearly toppling the dumbstruck mare.

A few seconds went by, and then Hurricane was returning the kiss with just as much passion as Pansy. Bandaged hooves wrapped tightly around the slim waist of the green pony, holding her firmly in place. Several minutes went by before the two ponies broke the kiss, gasping for air.

Both pegasi’s wings were fully extended, eyes dark with lust. Frantic hooves tore armor from their companion’s body, pausing long enough to explore and grope the exposed body. Locking themselves in a heated kiss, Hurricane forcefully pushed Pansy onto the ground. Pansy’s hind-legs wrapped tightly around the grey mare’s waist, her fore-hooves buried in a bright yellow mane.

Hurricane pulled away from the kiss, diving down to the nape of Pansy’s neck and biting it roughly. A strangled moan tore its way from Pansy’s throat, her hooves digging into Hurricane’s scalp. Pansy’s hind-legs trembled and loosened around Hurricane’s waist.

Gently licking the bright red mark, Hurricane grabbed and moved one of Pansy’s legs in-between hers, angling their vagina’s together. In one smooth motion, she ground down into Pansy. A shared groan, thick with pleasure came from the two pegasi.

A steady grinding rhythm began between the two pegasi. Engorged clits rubbing against each other. Hurricane threw her head back in ecstasy, exposing her neck. Gasping, Pansy darted forward and bit almost hard enough to draw blood, her hooves digging into Hurricane with each thrust.

Nimble green hooves quickly drifted to the large grey wings outstretched above her and began rubbing and yanking on them vigorously. Hurricane nearly collapsed on top of Pansy, legs weak with pleasure. She ground desperately into Pansy, the new angle rocketing new sensations through the two pegasi.

"H-Hurricane…" Pansy moaned out the grey mare’s name, bringing her full attention to the mare writhing beneath her. Eyes locking once again, their movements slowed to a more gentle pace. They slowly drew closer, lips touching in a soft and tender kiss.

Bright yellow and pale pink tails curled around each other as they slowly parted from the kiss. Hurricane slowly planted soft kisses down Pansy’s neck, eliciting a soft coo from the mint green pony. A wet squelching noise came from their connected vagina’s rubbing together, the gyrations speeding up to a fast and steady pace.

Green hooves stroked the entire length of both wings, massaging the joints and knots out of the sensitive appendages. Hurricane let out a low whine, trembling in pleasure. She buried her face in Pansy’s pink mane, dragging her tongue along the shell of Pansy’s ear.

They simultaneously ground into each other, becoming more and more desperate until they both orgasmed. Pansy clamped her teeth down on Hurricane’s shoulder yanking hard on her wing, letting out a garbled moan. Hurricane clenched her teeth, collapsing on the smaller mare with a whimper. A satisfied smile grew on Hurricane’s face as they lay there, comfortable in each other’s grasp.

"I love you…" Pansy muttered into Hurricane’s ear, gently kissing it.

Hurricane froze, her eyes growing wide at Pansy’s statement. “L-love?"