Lightning and Thunder (Closed: DC)

[SteelEagle]

Thunderbolt and lightning were very very frightening things. And the closer you were to them, the more true it was. Tempest's ship was pasisng through the plains when it ran into what looked like an unregistered stormfront, and what a hellacious storm front it was. The crew were forced below deck unless it was absolutely necessary, and the ship had activated a magical field which helped maintain it's position in the sky. To an extent, anyway. Apple Bloom could feel the winds forcing the ship to shake and powerful cracks of thunder sent her teeth on edge. Inside of the ship a few lamps were lit as the crew tried to distract themselves with various games. Apple Bloom herself was reading a book as best she could in the dim light, lit every once in a while lit by a strike of lightning out of the window that she was sat next to.

 

She had seen her fair share of wild storms on the edge of the Everfree. She was scared as a little filly, imagining all the fury and viciousness of the wilds translated to the power of the storm. Many nights did she huddle close to Applejack while watching through watery eyes the path of the storm outside the barn. Familiarity breeds contempt and while Apple Bloom tried her best to remain respectful of its power, she did not find herself scared of it anymore. Especially in a ship with such a powerful magic field. Comfortable? Not at all, and the hairs on her were pelt were charged as much by her own alert level as much as it was by the lightning in the atmosphere. 

 

And so she read the book as best she could, trying to relax while the storm raged and grew worse outside. So enamored was she with the random facts of the life and times of some boring naval captain that she didn't pay that much attention to the distance, where several funnel clouds were starting to form...

[Dubstep]

Mars was no stranger to storms, big or small you get used to the routines to protect your place and property. Tying things out, making sure windows were latched, all that good stuff. Even away as far from home as he was at the moment, the habits served him well as he scurried around helping the innkeeper at the tavern he'd been staying at get the windows closed and sealing up spot where the wicked storm was flooding. He loved a rainy night just as much as the next dog, but this one was getting out of paw. The weather pegasi must be terribly behind for this big of a storm.

 

With a hefty sigh, Mars wiped his brow and meandered over to the window. Some ponies out there were still struggling with getting their windows closed and things inside. The rain was coming down not so much in sheets but in comforters. Which a little rain ain't never hurt no one... but what concerned the diamond dog was the wind, and the colour the sky had turned. Ducking his head down he glance further up towards the sky with a furrowed brow. Ahh ponyfeathers.

 

Much to the innkeeper's confusion, Mars threw on his meager raincoat and quickly bolted out the door, closing it tight behind him as he rushed down the road, doing his best to help ponies get their things in order before those funnel clouds got any worse... With any luck that wouldn't be an issue... But luck can be a fickle thing sometimes...

[SteelEagle]

Eventually the rocking got too much for Apple Bloom to read comfortably. The light waxed and waned and the nervous playing of games slowed down as the ship buckled under the strain. Apple Bloom moved off of her cot and started working her way across the quarters. Her goal was the officer's observation deck, where she could get a good view of the outside- and it was where she could get any orders. She hated feeling useless and this high up in a storm she felt as useless as a pony could be. In just a few moments she finally made her way out into the hallway, where at the very least she didn't have the nervous energy of the majority of the crew infecting her.

 

Of course, that didn't last long. The magitec lines on the airship lit up red and a booming klaxon started sounding. Apple Bloom high-tailed it to the observation deck, doing her best to keep her hooves under her as the ship shook. The observatuion deck was chaos- controlled as it was, in any case. Apple Bloom approached the officer who was in charge while Tempest was away, who was looking at several graphs and levers, considering briefly what to do. "Sir! What's happenin'?" Apple Bloom asked. The officer, who was doing a good job of having a calm facade despite everything, turned to her with a raised eyebrow as he nodded outside. 

The funnels were making landfall, and they were getting bigger by the moment. The storm was growing in fury and they wre high up enough to see into the darkened, terrifying world above. 

"We're diving, that's what. We can't stay up here for too much longer. Far more manageable. Then we can get out of here," he said as he played with the rim of his hat, "get down to the cargo bay, make sure everything is strapped in. It's gonna get rougher, a lot rougher."

[Dubstep]

Leaning against the growing breeze, Mars grumbled to himself in concern. Getting doors and windows properly sealed shut wasn't a problem when the weather behaved, but the blinding rain and torrential downpour wasn't playing nice. The diamond dog was determined though, rushing between houses as he helped ponies either get inside or batten things down. Those clouds were looking meaner and meaner by the second though, and a few had already managed to touch down in the distance.
 

"Urgh, ponyfeathers." he cursed under his breath. With a shake of his head and a tug at the hood of his raincoat — for all the good it was doing — he rushed off to another group of ponies to help them along. A trio of ponies had been ambling along with slow, elderly pony who despite initial complaints at being suddenly scooped up into the diamond dog's arms, was grateful after a large tree limb narrowly missed where the elder had been standing moments prior.
 

Getting the four of them safely to their home and their door shut as tight as it would go, Mars squinted into the pouring rain. So far it seemed like most everyone had made it inside, but the heavy rain made it difficult to be sure. Trudging as swiftly as he could to check, Mars wouldn't be huddling inside until he was certain...

[SteelEagle]

The viciousness of the storm only grew, though the ship did well by ducking below it and towards the ground. They were still naked and barren against the many indignities of the storm at this location but they could withstand all but the extremes of it, rather than the assured destruction that would assured by trying to stay in the air. Still, down here it was also easier to see the potential harm that the storm could do, the ravaging of the land and the trembling ponyfolk that called it home all but guaranteed. It was a most terrible thought, one that the crew did well to bury for the time being as they strenuously worked to keep the vessel in flight despite the growing alarm that was evolving in the hearts of everycreature aboard the vessel.

 

Apple Bloom wasn't as confident as others were in the safety of anycreature, in the sky or the ground. They were flying low enough that through the portholes she could see the ponies below. And was that a Diamond Dog? Huh. It took all types, she figured. So much running. Luckily, despite the terrible, awful rain, the tornados that were starting to touch down were doing so far out of town and didn't appear to be heading towards it. Which was good. Good. Yeah, she wasn't scared. She was brave. Even if the situation continued to get worse, she'd breath right and focus on what she could do. She'd get through this, even if she could swear she saw the tornados start to turn...

[Dubstep]

Mars was doing his darnedest to remind himself that these weather crews knew what they were doing. Torrential downpours often meant that the region had been dealing with serious drought. Tornadoes meant... Okay he wasn't entirely sure what tornadoes meant, but he didn't want to just jump to the conclusion that things had gotten out of their control. For the most part the twisters seemed to be staying a fair distance away, at this rate they'd skirt around the edges of the town without much of an issue.

 

That was what he thought initially. And then the winds shifted.

 

The rain whipped hard and stung the diamond dog's face as the hoof of his raincoat was flipped back. Wincing he held a paw up to shield his eyes as he gauged the storms again as the howls of the wind began to pick up. This would be cutting it close, the whirlwind would be strolling right through main street at this rate. "Oh, horseapples." the dog swore again, kicking at a small rock that merely whipped back and whacked him in the shin.

 

This was far less than ideal, and every second was a risk, but the dog continued on, quickly barricading any doors with what he could, and helping the last few stragglers into their homes. Which left, well. Him. It wasn't a perfect solution, but a spare rope and a sturdy tree would... hopefully anchor him well enough with the knot tied securely... Hopefully.

[SteelEagle]

Apple Bloom was a determined filly, and as she looked out at the small farming settlement below her, she knew that she had to do something to help the ponies there. The tornados were touching down dangerously close to the town, and she could see the fear in the ponies' eyes. What had started bad but scary had turned into something far worese and far deadlier, and she was afraid. But she saw a Diamond Dog running around down there doing his part, so they should too. Despite the rocking of the ship she galloped until she found the first mate. "We have to stay and help them ponies below! They're in trouble, and we're the only ones who can help 'em."

 

The first mate looked out at the town and the tornados and sighed. "It's too dangerous, Apple Bloom. We have to get out of here before we're caught in one of those tornados."

"But we can't just leave them there!" Apple Bloom protested. "We're Equestrians, dangit, and ponies need our help!"

The first mate hesitated but then looked at Apple Bloom and nodded. "Alright, we'll stay and see what we can do. But we have to be careful and make sure we don't put ourselves in too much danger."
Apple Bloom grinned, feeling a surge of excitement and determination. She knew that they could make a difference and help the ponies below. They just had to be brave and smart about it.

 

The airship turned over the town, dipping even further as it tried to orient itself. Inside, the crew who had kept themselves nice and safely tucked away were jolted by the alarm, whose tone indicated they were on Weather Beater duty. Dangerous, but at least they were prepared for it. Apple Bloom found herself following the Lead Engineer to the bowels of the ship. It had been equipped with several anti-weather magical mines and other pieces of equipment designed to tame the weather when needed. The long deployment had seen much of it used, but the good ship and crew well-seasoned (mostly) were not about to let that get in the way. 

 

Apple Bloom followed instructions. Her job was the easiest- while one unicorn was programming it and a pegasus was getting the weather current out of the deployment chute just right to entice the tornado, her job (and that of the older, stronger, and probably there to pick up her slack Earth Pony) was to help launch it by pulling it along a rail. The Lead Engineer did his job, his magic subtly changing the internal conditional modulator to the right weather pattern to be disrupted. The pegasus did his part, flapping his wing and eying some gauges to get the wing power and magic just right. When both did their job, a bright green light flashed on the rail, and Apple Bloom got to pulling. It was heavier than sin and twice as ornery, but after a few moments of no progress she started to move it a little, then the momentum picked up and soon with the older stallion's help the mine was launched. 

 

There was no time to be excited however- mines came in magazines of three, and by the time the first mine was launched the second one was nearly programmed. By the time she got back to her start position, the light was green again and the process repeated. By the time all three were launched, Apple Bloom's legs felt like jelly. At least with the first magazine empty they could see the first trio of mines at work.
The mines glowed with a bright blue light as they approached the tornado, and then exploded in a burst of magical energy as all three wre sucked up. The tornado shuddered and began to break apart, the winds slowing and the funnel dissipating into the air.

"Good job, everypony!" the first mate called out over the ship's intercom. "We're making a difference down here."

Then the second magazine was loaded. 

[Dubstep]

As the winds whipped and howled, Mars had clung himself tight to the tree he'd tied himself to. Claws dug in firmly to the bark with his eyes glued to the tornado... well as best as they could be in the daggum downpour. It was hard to see much of anything out here! Or hear for that matter. But even above the roaring gales, the diamond dog's ears picked up the sound of... explosions?

 

Carefully cracking an eye open, Mars manage to catch the flash and bang of the final blast as it sucked up into the tornado, shredding the first of the twisters like cotton candy at a fair. The winds had died down considerably with the closest of the tornadoes dissipating, but two more still remained. Glancing around skyward, the diamond dog tried to spot where the shots had come from, eventually managing to spot the rocking airship. Huh, it took all kinds, he guessed!

 

Wasn't much left the dog himself could do in this situation, 'cept to watch, wait, and hope they could manage the last ones before he ended up going on one heck of a tilt-a-whirl...

[SteelEagle]

As Apple Bloom and the crew worked tirelessly to launch the anti-tornado mines, their determination was met with a sudden obstacle. The deafening winds, rain, and chaos of the storm had taken their toll on the ship's equipment. Just as they loaded the second magazine of mines, a malfunction occurred. The rail jammed, preventing Apple Bloom from pulling it forward. Apple Bloom's heart raced as she realized the largest tornado of them all was barreling towards them. Panic surged through her, knowing that they needed every defense they could muster to combat such a formidable force. She frantically tried to free the jammed rail, but her efforts proved futile against the stubborn machinery.

 

The first mate's voice crackled over the intercom, filled with urgency. "Team, we have a problem. The rail is jammed, and we can't launch the mines."

Fear and frustration welled up within Apple Bloom as she surveyed the looming threat drawing closer. She knew they had to act quickly. Determination burned in her eyes as she turned to the Lead Engineer, desperation evident in her voice. "We can't give up now! We need those mines to stop that tornado!"
The crew sprang into action, brainstorming potential solutions. With limited time and resources, they improvised, employing their expertise and ingenuity. The pegasus adjusted the weather currents in a desperate attempt to divert the approaching tornado's path. Meanwhile, the Lead Engineer and his team scrambled to repair the malfunctioning rail, their hooves a blur of activity.

 

Apple Bloom, refusing to succumb to despair, joined the repair effort. She used her strength and determination to assist the older stallion, their combined efforts aimed at freeing the jammed rail. Rain drenched their fur, and the winds threatened to knock them off balance, but they persisted. Seconds felt like an eternity as they struggled against the unyielding machinery. Finally, with a surge of collective effort, the jammed rail gave way. Apple Bloom's heart soared with relief as the green light flashed, indicating their ability to launch the mines once more. Without hesitation, they swiftly loaded the remaining mines into the magazine. Apple Bloom, her muscles aching from the strain, mustered every ounce of strength for the final push. As the last mine was launched, the crew's eyes fixated on the monstrous tornado, now dangerously close to a number of critters on the ground, not the least of which was a Diamond Dog!

 

In that tense moment, the mines glowed with a pulsating blue light, hurtling toward the spiraling chaos. The crew held their breath, praying for success. But as the mines approached, disaster struck. The largest tornado proved too powerful, causing the magical explosions to be engulfed within its mighty grasp. Apple Bloom's heart sank, a mix of frustration and disappointment washing over her. They had tried their best, but this time, it wasn't enough. She knew they had fought valiantly, but the immense force of nature had prevailed. With the failed attempt to disrupt the approaching tornado, Apple Bloom and the crew had to swiftly reassess their strategy. They would need to rely on their wits and resourcefulness to protect themselves and aid the ponies below. The stakes were higher than ever, and the resilience of Apple Bloom and her companions would be put to the ultimate test.
 

[Dubstep]

Mars huffed as he glanced around through the storms, clinging tight to his only lifeline. It was a sturdy ol' tree. Likely been through a storm or through before, but hoo doggy was this one heck of a twister. The diamond dog's eyes tailed over the various nearby houses. Sturdy too, well built. They'd still be mostly standing after all was said and done but there'd be some serious damage though either way if that like tornado couldn't be dealt with. And from the muffled sounds of explosions and the continuing wail of the winds, that was getting more and more likely by the second.

 

Digging his hind paws into the ground and his forepaws snug into the tree, he could feel that even as deep as those roots were, it was taking all it had to not lose itself to the winds. Was it keeping Mars anchored, or was Mars anchoring it? Philosopicalness aside, losing a nice shade tree like this would be awful wouldn't. Y'know. Not to mention the mighty hurting it'd put on himself if he and the tree got launched into the stratosphere...

[SteelEagle]

Apple Bloom scanned the situation. It was dire. This final tornado was too much for them to stop, and frankly it seemed to be the one baring down on the farms most directly. The wind and the rain, the thunder and the crashing of the world echoed down to the bones of everycreature unfortunate enough to witness such an untamed monstrosity. Made her appreciate pegasi just that much more, as in that moment she thanked her lucky stars that Ponyville never saw weather near as much this wild and unkind. She felt the ship shudder and then start to turn, and her eyes snapped back up to the rest of the crew. "We can't be leavin' them!"

"Listen Apples, we did what we could! We can't risk the ship. We need to get out of the damn thing's path," the lead engineer bellowed over the storm. That answer wasn't good enough, not for her. The crew started to filter out of the torpedo room, but Apple Bloom looked at the launch mechanism. With a determined look on her face she grabbed a rope and tied it by her midsection. "What are you d-" She looked at the mechanism and jumped inside of it, cranking it to load a new munition- her. She quickly aimed it as best she could and went to make a very good, very bad decision.
"Get out-" she felt the crew surge towards her, but it was too late. With a quick pull of her tail the mechanism was engaged and she was shot out of the ship like a torpedo towards her target- some farmer on the ground. She really couldn't tell who it was, all she knew was she needed to get them out of the way of the tornado!

[Dubstep]

This sure was a fine pickle he'd gotten himself into. Mars grumbled softly beneath the overpowering sound of the rain and winds. Runnin through all the scenarios on how to get himself outta this mess in one piece. Most of them far outside of the realm of possibility. Can't rightfully lasso a twister... Specially when you ain't got the rope for it anyway. He did have t'wonder if any unicorns out there could invent a rope for just that... Somethin to inquire about if he makes it outta this!

 

While the diamond dog was busy pondering though, another blast of cannon fire rang over the storm and caught his attention. Glancing up towards where that ship was, it wasn't too hard to see from the flash that it wasn't aimed at the storm this time... It was aimed at the tree... Wait... the tree?! Panic ran through Mars' head for a moment as he watched. Sure, ripped away by a tornado was on the proverbial bingo card, but torpedoed? That was a new one on him. But as the projectile got closer, it became obvious that it wasn't a torpedo at all, but a pony! 'Now what in all th' hare brained...'

 

Now wasn't a time for questioning though. Shaking his head hard, Mars wrapped his hind legs around the tree as best he could, freeing up his paws. It was difficult to hold on, but if he didn't act fast, there'd be two numbskulls getting whorled up instead of just him. Hittin the ground that fast wouldn't be pretty. With a grunt of effort the dog reached out just as the pony-projectile got close enough, snatching her out of the air and pulling her close to the tree. "Well! Can't say I ever had a pony shot at me before, but I reckon today's a pretty strange day already!" he shouted over the storm, offering the young mare a grin in spite of the dangers surrounding them.

[SteelEagle]

The whole world was a blur as she made quick time at the farmer. Her aim was pretty dang good and she couldn't tell just how well she hit her intended target but in a flash she found herself pulled into the furred embrace of some Diamond Dog against the tree he had anchored himself to. She had a lot of thoughts, namely that she thought she had a concussion, but most importantly there was work to do. "Heh, well today is a day of firsts, fella," she said as she started to throw a cord around his midsection. "Here's tha plan! Ah'm gonna tie you tighter than a steer at tha rodeo and we're gonna get back to mah ship-" she said as the line started to grow taut, the ship starting to pull her back in, "an' then you get yer tail, Mister Dog, inside and be safe. Any questions?" She asked over the roar of the tornado as she tied him tight as tight could be to her. "Aww, yer coat is pretty."

[Dubstep]

Mars gave a smile and lent a helping paw as best he could while the earth pony started working the rope around him "That's mighty nice'a ya miss, my ma sorted out a right good conditioner for it that I use! Gotta say yours looks pretty as well! M'name's Mars by the way, right good to meetcha! Circumstances notwithstandin y'know." once the rope was nice and taught he'd shake his head. "Ain't really got any questions though... Well, maybe 'cept one. Who's gonna catch us?" No sooner had the diamond dog asked that than the rope tugged tight. "Just gimme the word and I'll leggo, miss! Don't wanna pull the tree outta the ground, but don't wanna get us dragged along the ground either o'course."

[SteelEagle]

"Howdy! Ah'm-" She said as the sound of a window shattering when a rock went through it nearby broke her conversation and sent her into business mode, "-tha crew of tha ship'll catch ya, Mars. Make sure ta get yer cute snout ta safety when yer up there. Don't need no mamas ta be worryin' themselves silly tonight, no more than needed anywho," she said as she moved her hooves alongside his waist to ensure the cord was tight. Then a point was reached on his, and he was snapped back towards the ship! Only a few seconds left for her to get to work.

 

She pulled on her own cord tight and then unlatched it, quickly attaching it to a new piece of cord. This gave her more slack as she looked around, looking for anypony or creature else who needed help. The winds were whipping hard enough that she couldn't just walk around, and so she maintained her base on the tree- which itself was looking shakier as time went on.  She finally spotted the next target- an older mare who was in a small outcropping, slowly being moved by the heavy winds. Apple Bloom timed it and leapt from the tree when the mare finally was taken by thw winds, the same winds that took Apple Bloom, the angle taking Apple Bloom to the mare just as the line to the ship grew taut again. She worked on tying the mare up just as the tree gave away, no longer achoring Apple Bloom down. Now both of them were tied to the ship and at the mercy of the winds until they were pulled back in.

[Dubstep]

For as much as Mars had said he didn't want to get dragged along the ground, that sure as sunshine was what had started to happen as soon as that line started reeling back in. Even the tree he'd once been holding onto had nearly been entirely uprooted, who knew what it would do to that rescue pony or her rescuee if they didn't have some kind of help! The diamond dog's hind paws dug deep into the mud as best as he was able, halting his return for the time being though skidding him slowly across the ground. He couldn't work fast right now, nor could he hold too tight lest the rope snap.
 

The canine watched carefully as the two ponies were whipped around by the breeze, they were getting pulled back towards the ship as well, but without a steady hold, they were both at risk of getting slammed into any number of buildings or debris! Trudging through as best as he could towards the mares' rope, Mars would soon be just... close enough... to... "Gotchall!" wrap his arms around the windblown mares just as they slammed against his chest. With the two of them in tow, Mars would loosen his grip on the ground, skidding him back along towards the ship expediently as the rope was given sudden slack. It would keep the three of them safe from the worst of the winds for a few moments at least, until the upward drag would lift them all off the ground once again.