[TFE] March 2023 Event: Incoming Storm

It was a particularly slow day in Ponyville. The snow had begun to thaw and ponies of all kinds were going to and fro in the markets, some were preparing for summer crops while others were either on their way to work, or buying ingredients for that night’s dinner. Mint Chip sighed dreamily, his chin propped with a hoof as he used his magic to wipe the tops of his display cases clean with a rag. He had his regular customers and to him, that was enough.

 

Though there was something that was eating at the young unicorn stallion. A feeling he couldn’t quite put his hoof on, but he was hoping was just him.

 

Today didn’t feel right.

 

He cast a glance out one of the bakery windows, raising an eyebrow at how dark it was. Snickering under his breath he looked over to his patrons.

 

“Time surely flies, if you don’t hurry you’ll all be late for dinner!” He laughed and some hopped out of their seats, thanking him and hurried out the door while a rather colorful pegasus sat back in their chair.

“Y’sure ‘bout that, Chip?” The pegasus grinned wide, showing off his razor sharp teeth before sitting forward, hooves folded under his chin. His wings flexed lightly, showing bright markings that resembled dripping paint. “S’only noon.” Mint frowned as some of the other customers murmured amongst each other. Glancing over at the clock.. Sure enough he was right.

The clock read noon, almost on the dot. 

 

“Something’s not right..” He mumbled, heading out through the door and looking up. The sky was pitch black, like a blanket draped over the city that swallowed everything into a void of nothingness. The mountains, the forests, nothing could be seen outside of a small radius of any lights - all except for flashes of lighting that briefly lit everything before the darkness rushed in again to swallow everything in sight.

 

The storm over Canterlot could easily be heard from Ponyville and ponies of all shapes and sizes were peeking out of their homes and businesses. Small crowds formed, all asking what was going on. According to the guards, the storm was so bad that nopony could get close to Canterlot without being swept up and battered by the wind. 

 

Mint Chip’s ears pinned back as he looked off towards the direction he knew Canterlot to be, frowning as the lightning thrashed and streaked above the royal city - like a sporadic snake that continued to strike at prey that refused to go down.. Like it had a mind of its own. He drew in a deep breath, slowly huffing out through his nose in a drawn out sigh of frustration. What in Equestria was going on?

 

The patrons began to leave one by one, worried about their friends and family and Mint sent them each off with a wave of the hoof.

“Got any ideas?” The pegasus from early spoke up, causing Mint to sigh harder.

 

“No, Kon, I don’t.” He grumbled, rubbing at one of his temples with the hoof he had used to wave, glancing over at the pony named Konpeito. The two had known each other for years, though Kon’s knack of getting himself into trouble had caused Mint to try to distance himself from him.. He always ended up being the one to get him out of trouble. Whether he would admit it or not - they were friends.. Though Konpeito’s most recent pastime had made the unicorn want to pull his hair out. 

 

“Well I do~” Mint could hear his grin as he found himself staring forward. Between Kon and Moon, Mint never really had time to relax.

 

It wouldn’t be the same, he found himself thinking, rolling his eyes. You’d find some reason to get one of them riled so things wouldn’t be boring. It sounded horrible when he thought like that, but he wasn’t sure how else to put it - the two were easily excitable.

“And what would that be..?” Mint asked, looking over unamused as Kon returned his question with an even wider grin, his wings already flexing as if he was ready to take off at any moment.

“Simple,” he began, a low chuckle in his throat as his multi-colored eyes gleamed ominously in the lantern light. “We kick the asses of the pegasi who created this mess.” Mint’s eyes widened as he stared silently at him. Dumbstruck.

“..What?” Konpeito’s grin faltered, turning into a toothy frown as he stared him down.

 

“..That’s your first response?”

“Well, yeah..”

“..Violence?”

“They started it!”

 

Mint continued to stare, his mouth slightly agape in confusion, just dumbstruck at his friend’s logic.

 

“Who started what?” The question caught Konpeito off guard as his feathery pelt ruffled a bit in response.

“They did! Geez, d’ya think a storm like that comes out of nowhere?!” He hopped onto his hind legs, gesturing wildly at the lighting over Canterlot with his front hooves and his wings. “I dunno if you noticed but..” He paused, “This.” He gestured harder, “isn’t normal.”

 

Mint groaned loudly as a commotion from the streets pulled his attention towards some ponies pointing up into the clouds. Looking up, there were visages churning within the darkness. Phantasms that writhed and blended into each other. The worried murmuring increased in volume as panic began to grow.

 

“T’hell is tha-” Kon’s question got cut off as the clouds suddenly exploded into different colors and shapes. Pegasi, bat ponies and changelings alike poured forth like a wave that crashed into the street and into buildings. Screams of terror and anger rang out in the streets as windows were smashed and doors were bust open. Kon didn’t have time to react as Mint was tackled through the window of his shop and tumbled through the glass. He felt his body tense as he did what he did best - acted without thinking.

 

There was a roar as the pegasus leapt through the broken window, ramming the bat pony away from one of the now broken display cases and into a wall. The bat pony gasped as the wind was knocked out of them and Kon stood over them, eyes gleaming as he bared his teeth in a menacing snarl.

“Why’re ya here?” He asked, his chipper tone was gone, a low growl rumbled in his throat as the bat pony tried to get up only to get a hoof pressed hard into their chest. “I don’t think y’wanna do that..” He snarled through his teeth, eyes narrowing into a glare before a corner of his mouth curled into a cruel grin. “‘Cuz I don’t think y’realized how bad y’fucked up..”

 

Mint groaned, pushing himself to his feet, hissing softly as he brushed glass off of himself with magic. Perking an ear, he glanced over to see Konpeito painfully pressing his hoof to pin the bat pony that had assaulted him. Before he could speak, something caught his eye. Glancing over, he saw the bag the bat pony had brought with them, partially filled with pastries from the case. He furrowed his brow at the thought.

 

A thief?

“I’mma ask ya again..” The anger in Konpeito’s voice caused Mint to immediately look over to see the Pegasus’ snout barely an inch from the thief’s. “Who t’hell d’ya think you are..?”

 

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