Storm Shadow rested on a bench outside the tower of Canterlot. He had just finished his patrol, and had decided to rest for a few minutes. He saw his sister returning from her patrol as well, and waved her over. She gave him a wide smile, and sat down next to him.

“How’s it going sis?” he asked.

“Same as always. Patrol is possibly one of the most boring jobs ever!” she replied, which got Storm to laugh.

“That is true but it has to be done.” he replied. They rested there for a few minutes until another guard came along.

“Aerial may I talk to your brother for a moment?” he asked kindly.

“Sure.” she said and walked off toward the tower.

“So are you ready to fight the dragon tomorrow Storm Shadow?” the guard asked when he was sure that Aerial was out of earshot.

“Sure am.” Storm Shadow replied eagerly.

“Good. We have made all the necessary preparations for the battle. Everypony will carry a bag with some shrinking powder in it, and whoever gets close enough must use the chance to throw it onto him, or better yet, into his mouth.” he said.

“Into its mouth?” Storm Shadow asked.

“Yes, the powder will have a much stronger effect if it is ingested.” he replied. Storm Shadow simply nodded because he didn’t understand the workings of any of it. He talked a little bit more with the guard before getting up, and walking into the tower. He found his sister in the armory, and started to help her get off her armor. It was a silent process, and they didn’t talk during it. Once her armor was off, she helped him with his until all their armor was back on the stands. They walked out of the armory, then he told her goodnight as he walked up a stairwell, and she continued down a separate one. The dream began to distort and crumble as he reached the top of the stairwell. His last glimpse was of an elaborate window depicting Twilight and her friends using the Elements of Harmony to defeat a pony that he guessed was Nightmare Moon.

He woke with a slight groan and crawled out of bed. He looked out the window in time to see the sun begin to break the horizon. He stood there for a moment and let the warmth from the sun’s rays seep in before combing his mane and walking out into the hall. He didn’t get very far before he was tackled from behind by Rainbow Dash.

“This seems familiar.” he said teasingly as he picked himself up.

“Sorry about that.” she said with a giggle.

“Not a problem.” he replied with a smile. She gave him a quick nuzzle then they both walked outside. The day was still young so there weren’t very many ponies out. He got her attention and pointed at a cloud that was high above them. She got the clue and shot off into the air with him close behind. She landed on the cloud a moment later and waited for him.

When he appeared she put on a bored look and said, “It’s about time you got here slowpoke.” getting him to smile.

“Sorry if I’m not fast enough for you your highness.” his voice dripped with sarcasm.

They both started laughing for a few minutes before settling down on the cloud and watching the sunrise. Storm Shadow wasn’t surprised this time when Rainbow Dash rested her head on his shoulder. Instead he nuzzled her again, and turned his head so he could watch the sunrise with her.

Aerial woke up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Yawning, she got up and walked over to the window. As she watched the sunrise, she remembered the times she would sit with her brother and watch it raise. Those days were long past however, as he was still missing. She had vowed not to give up hope though. She believed that he was out there somewhere. If not in the forest, then possibly in Ponyville. If he was in Ponyville, then there was a possibility that she would spot him during the Summer Sun Celebration. The possibilities were good because she knew that grey and black wasn’t a very common color for ponies, so he would be easy to spot in a crowd. As she thought about this, the door slowly opened behind her and a ponies head poked inside.

“Hey Aerial.” the pony said. She jumped a little and turned around.

“Oh hey Swift.” she said when she saw who it was. He gave her a friendly smile, his green eyes flashing.

“What do you need?” she asked.

“I just wanted to talk.” he said defensively.

“Sorry, I’m just grumpy since I just woke up.” she replied.

“That’s understandable. Sleep is important after all.” he said, opening the door wider so he could get in. She looked him over. He was a dark blue color with a light red mane that was a little spiked but otherwise very laid back.

“Still thinking about Storm Shadow?” he asked.

“What do you think? Of course I’m still thinking about him. He’s my brother.” she replied with annoyance.

“Well maybe one of us will spot him at the Summer Sun Celebration.” he said. He was one of the few ponies who didn’t pull her down by saying she should stop looking.

“You think so?” she asked.

“Of course. Searching the forest has turned up nothing so he might be in Ponyville.” he replied. She stared out the window at the sunset and didn’t say anything.

“Well I better get going. I have to get to patrol duty in a few minutes.” he said after a couple minutes. She nodded but still didn’t answer and he eventually left and closed the door behind him.

“I won’t give up hope brother. I will find you.” she murmured to herself.

Storm Shadow dozed peacefully on the cloud. Rainbow Dash looked at him. He hadn’t been getting much sleep so he drifted off a few minutes ago. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder again.

“What will happen if he is recognized at the Celebration? Will he have to move back into Canterlot and stay there?” she asked herself quietly. Storm Shadow shifted, and she tensed up. She relaxed again when he showed no sign of getting up. She snuggled up closer to him and fell asleep herself.

Arcane paced back and forth across the floor of his study. He couldn’t stop thinking about the storm pegasus. He had been much more powerful than any elemental pegasus he had ever seen. The ability to control lightning itself was almost unheard of. Perhaps this pony was one of the four from his dream.

“No, it couldn’t be. He still needs the ice, and fire elemental pegasi, and they haven’t been seen in over a hundred years.” he told himself, even though storm pegasi had been missing just as long, and yet, here was the most powerful one he has ever seen. A pony gently opened the door to the study and poked his head in.

“What is it Cookie Crisp?” Arcane asked without even looking.

“I just came to bring you some food.” he replied with his usual smile.

“Okay, please set it on the table by the door.” Arcane said, gesturing at the table as he did so. Cookie Crisp walked in, and set it on the table before turning to Arcane.

“Is something troubling you?” he asked.

“Yes, the storm pegasus I have been looking for has sided with Ponyville, and is stronger than I expected.” he said.

“How so?” the chef asked.

“He is the only pony I have ever seen that could control LIGHTNING. He even countered my two best spells with it!” Arcane replied angrily.

“Well I’m sure he won’t be able to defeat you without the other elementals.” Cookie Crisp said confidently.

“True, but I will have to watch my step from now on.” he replied as one of his captains walked into the room. Cookie Crisp smiled at the captain before quickly walking out of the room. Arcane turned to look at the captain. He was a strong pony with a deep red coat, and a lighter red mane. His matching red eyes glinted in the light.

“What is it?” he asked impatiently.

“Sir, the preparations for the attack on Ponyville are almost complete. The unicorns have managed to take control of a few Hydras, and an Ursa Minor. Our soldiers are almost prepared and we should all be ready to go when the attack starts during the Summer Sun Celebration.” The captain said.

“Excellent.” Arcane said. The captain bowed, and left the room.

Arcane began imagining the attack. Celestia would be there but she wouldn’t have very many guards with her. If he played his cards right he might be able to defeat both Celestia AND the storm pegasus. He laughed at the thought, and levitated a cookie from the tray over to himself.

“Oh this will be a celebration that Equestria will not soon forget.” he said to himself as he ate the cookie.

Storm Shadow sat on a cloud watching ponies walking around below. He hadn’t done anything except eat a little bit, and sleep most of the day. He couldn’t believe how tired he had been, until he woke up and found it was already getting close to night time. He had woken up about an hour earlier to find Rainbow Dash fast asleep with her head still resting on his shoulder. He only smiled and spread his wing across her sleeping form to give her at least a little bit of warmth. As the sun had continued across the sky she had woken up. She got a very embarrassed look on her face, as she noticed his wing.

“You didn’t need to do that.” she said.

“You’re right, I didn’t have to, but I did.” he replied with a smile. She simply sighed and they left the cloud to get something to eat.

When they were done eating they flew back up to the cloud, and watched the sunset. Storm Shadow spread his wing over Rainbow Dash again, and she rested her head on his shoulder for possibly the 5th time that day. As the sun set beneath the horizon they flew back down to Dash’s house and he followed her inside.

“Storm Shadow look at this.” she said as he was just about to enter his room.

“What is i-?” he said, unable to finish, because Dash kissed him when he turned. When she pulled away, she giggled at the stunned look on his face.

“Good night Storm Shadow.” she said, and gave him another kiss on the cheek before heading to her own room.

He stood there for a minute with the stunned look still stuck on his face before finally managing to move his legs, and get into his room. He didn’t even bother looking out the window this time. He just climbed into bed, and went to sleep as quickly as possible.

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