//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2: Storm Bank 
// Story: Color Shift 
// by Talguy21 
//------------------------------//


*Meanwhile, in Canterlot...*


Twilight Sparkle strolled through the polished, well-kept streets of the Equestrian capital city. Coming home was a treat, and for once, what the princess had needed her for had been relatively trivial. She selected a café along the streetside. She'd have a quick bite, settle back in at the palace, and be on her way back to Ponyville by tomorrow afternoon. It was then that it hit her. A magical shockwave nearly carried her off of her hooves. She could feel the agony carried within, the pain of the victim as they were obliterated.

That most certainly can't be good, the lavender mare fretted, as a frown crossed her muzzle. That wave was powerful, but at the frequency it was at, most unicorns wouldn't have felt it. Twilight, however, was not most unicorns. Not only could she feel it, she had a general idea of where it came from. Lunch can wait, Ponyville's in trouble. With that, she started off towards the train station at full gallop, leaving an approaching waiter totally confused.

After a lengthy discussion with the conductor, and a grudging agreement to take the ticket up with Celestia later, Twilight settled into place on the train. Ponyville was a speck among the countryside, the rolling hills carved by the deep blue tides of rivers giving way to a tan-brown dot. It's another beautiful sunny day. Too bad I can't just relax and enjoy it.





That was easy. Red Thunder thought to himself as he darted through the pristine skies of Ponyville. Now, so long as I can keep the element of surprise, I can go about my plans unopposed.
The scarlet stallion set down on a small cloud, a contemplative look crossing his face. Who to hit next... Blink lives in Canterlot, and even though that's an easy flight from here, the police force there is much more active, and I'd have to operate right under Celestia's nose. Genesis is off doing Celestia-knows-what, but Starfire's in town. If I could find a way to isolate him, I know he can be eliminated easily. The pieces are falling into place... and Blue's life will be ruined. After that, who knew... Red chuckled to himself. Equestria's next. Then they'll know I'm not to be messed with. All will bow, and it will be glorious! First things first, though. I need to bait the trap. Red sent his unnatural energy away, and tried to imitate Blue's soul. In a quiet crackling wave, cerulean electricity pulsed across his form, slowly rendering his crimson features to a near imitation of his counterpart's color scheme. Red opened his eyes, the yellow-green tint of the iris much closer to Blue than any would have predicted. He inspected the transformation with a gleeful grin. That should be enough to fool anypony... But this weak form can't exactly execute my plans without jeopardizing control. It'll do.

What are you doing? A voice echoed through Red's thoughts.
Blue? Guess my transformation let you get a line through, huh?
You didn't answer my question. What in Celestia's name are you doing? How are you controlling me?
I'm not controlling you, Blue. I AM you.
How is that even possible? I'm me! You took my body!
You mean you don't remember?
Remember when you took over earlier? Yeah! I want my life back!
You don't, do you? Your early foalhood is lost to you, isn't it?
How would you--?
I am you, Blue. I don't remember our early years either, but I remember when we fought for control the first time.
The first time? What're you--?
How our parents nurtured you into control, and sealed me away...
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
We've clashed before, Blue. You locked me in the farthest, most secluded corner of our mind. Locked away, forced to watch as someone else live my life. Now, if you don't mind, I have business to attend to, Lightning. Stay out of my way, or I will force you back to the hole you crawled out of.
One more question, Red.
Fine. What is it?
What are you really?
Think of me as your twin brother. It helps. Now get lost.

Red then felt Blue fade from his immediate awareness, lingering at the edges. Satisfied, he flapped his wings to rise from the cloud and descend to the town below, to find his quarry.