//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8 
// Story: Stormy Skies for Ponyville 
// by DarkestAutumn 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 8_____________________________________________________________________

Stormy Skies took one last look at Ponyville. Her Ex-Home. She sighed, and imagined the ponies back at home having a party, laughing and telling jokes and eating Pinkie Pie’s cake. There would be a big banner that said “Stormy is a Jerk Party” on it. She wished she could be somepony else, and be a part of the imaginary celebration, and she could, but her conscience would not let her.  She faced back towards the Everfree Forest and walked in.

She could hardly believe that not half an hour ago, she had put Equestria in mortal peril, and LOVED being the cause. It seemed fun then, but now it depressed her. She was so lost in her thoughts that she tripped over a stump. When she got up, she discovered it was not a stump at all, but an unconscious Queen Chrysalis, who opened her eyes. “Don’t kick me...” she muttered. “I didn’t.” replied Stormy. Chrysalis got up, and rubbed her head with a holey hoof. Her eyes fell upon Stormy Skies, and she gave her a small smile. “Well then, I guess it’s back to the hive with both of us.” she said. However, the younger Changeling turned around and said, “You can go, I give up on conquering Equestria.” Queen Chrysalis looked shocked. “But... Remember? We had a deal! If you help me, you shall be my right hoof changeling...” “You promised me ONLY if we won.” said Stormy. “We failed. Goodbye.” She abandoned the changeling queen.

On her way out of Ponyville, she passed by Zecora’s hut, and saw Zecora brewing a potion. Despite the fact that the Zebra was too busy to noticed her, Stormy gave her a small smile and waved. She then moved on.

By the time night fell, Stormy was VERY far from Ponyville. She had avoided waking up the Swamp Hydra, passed by the Dragon’s Cave, and finally collapsed near the long abandoned canyon, unable to move any further without feeling a sharp and agonizing pain in her legs. She recognized the canyon as the place where dragons moved to after the dragon migration. Unable to find anything as an acceptable substitute for a pillow or a blanket but a flat rock, she lie on the cold stone, shivering. She closed her eyes, wishing sleep would come get her and briefly free her from the misery of her reality, but it would not.

Suddenly, she appeared back at home. It was her birthday, and Little Apple had  given her a telescope. She set it up near a window and watched the starry night that Princess Luna had so generously given her. She saw the planets and the asteroid belt and even Pluto, far away... She also noticed the moon, shining bright and beautifully... She saw a figure, a shadow move on it’s surface. Overwhelmed with curiosity, she zoomed in and saw that the creature was none other than Darkest Autumn, the ashen-black pegasus. Her coat, being as dark as the night sky, was hard to see, but her bright golden-red mane and scarlet eyes stood out in the inky blackness. She gave Stormy a weak smile and a small wave, and then walked away. And although Stormy could not see her, her head was filled with the image of her mother sitting, lonely on the barren white rock, tears streaming down her face. “Mom!” cried Stormy, but nopony heard her. Suddenly, the face of Princess Celestia blocked her view, and said quite sternly, “You lose, changeling. And now your mother will pay the price.”

Stormy Skies’ eyes snapped open. She recalled her dream (more of a nightmare really) and knew what she must be done. She would need to, once again, break the rules, of course. It was reckless, risky, but it was also right. An innocent pony’s fate rested in her hooves, and she was going to seize the opportunity.

Darkest Autumn waited nervously in Canterlot Court. She did not know what fate awaited her, or what her punishment would be. When the clock finally struck 3, her name was called, and she stepped in before the judge- Celestia herself.  Autumn heard many ponies whispering hurriedly to each other, while simultaneously staring at her.

“I heard that mare’s getting convicted because she raised a changeling that destroyed Ponyville.”
“I think this is stupid, how could she possibly have known that the changeling was spying for Chrysalis? She’s innocent, I tell you!”
“Honestly, Blueberry, Innocent my left flank. It’s common knowledge that all changelings are evil. She was just too stupid to care- she deserves at LEAST 100 years on the moon.”
“What’s Celestia got in store for her?”
The Sun Princess’ horn glowed gold, and the gavel suddenly banged twice all on it’s own. “Order in the court, I say, ORDER IN THE COURT!” The whispers died down. “We are gathered here today to decide whether or not Darkest Autumn the Pegasus is guilty. Her supposed crime is that she is responsible for a changeling acting as an unknown assistant to the Queen of the Changelings, Chrysalis, which led to the destruction of Ponyville and near enslavement of all of Ponykind.” Twilight Sparkle repeatedly got up out of her chair as though trying to point out all the different ways she believed innocent, but eventually sat back down. “Good ol’ Twilight.”  though Autumn. Twilight had offered several times to be her defense attourney, but Autumn had declined. The princess had decided that she was to be punished, and if the princess had made up her mind nopony, not even her own sister, could change it. She had decided to spare Twilight the burden of feeling as though she had failed her when they lost. “Does the offense have anything to say about this?” said Celestia. The offense was a mere filly, but for some strange reason Celestia had chosen her as an acceptable offense. The offense was none other than Gabriella Greenback.

“I must voice my opinion that Darkest Autumn is absolutely guilty. She was ignorant enough as to take in a sworn enemy of Equestria, it was only a matter of time before Ponyville was attacked, and even MORE ignorant as to completely ignore the relationship between her daughter and Chrysalis when the time came.” Twilight looked about ready to burst into flame. Celestia nodded at Gabriella. “Indeed. Does the defense have anything to say against this?” Autumn looked up into the face of the Princess and said quietly, “There is n-no defense... h-highness.” Celestia looked surprised, she had apparentally expected the young mare to at least put up some sort of a fight. “You’re absolutely sure of that? You have nothing to say to defend yourself?” Darkest Autumn shook her head. Celestia recovered from her shock and said, “Well then... since it seems the defense has nothing to redeem herself, the matter is settled. Jury, what do you think?” Unfortunately for Autumn, the jury was made up entirely of victims to Stormy Skies and Chrysalis’ trap, all bent on revenge towards anypony who was related to the matter other than the Elements of Harmony and Celestia. They huddled together and whispered for a little while, and then finally Blossomforth turned to face Celestia and said with an air of finality, “We, the jury, all believe that Darkest Autumn is, indeed, guilty.” Princess Celestia looked down upon Autumn, her expression the opposite of mercy in every way possible. Her horn began to glow a gleaming gold. “It seems we have come to an agreement. I, Princess Celestia Solen, hereby sentence the- TWILIGHT SPARKLE, PLEASE CONTROL YOUSELF!- Pegasus Darkest Autumn to a sentence on the moon for 150 year-

“STOOOP!”