//------------------------------// // An Unexpected Turn Of Events // Story: Some Redemption // by Cupzy //------------------------------// The dining hall was silent. Nopony dared to move or even blink, Luna was looking down at her empty plate, her eyes nearly mimicking the size of it. Twilight wasn't looking at anything in particular, just blank space. Storm kept trying to speak, but nothing came out, his mouth was as dry as a bone. Redblade had changed from moderately-concerned-Alicorn into Incredibly-Guilty-Alicorn. And Celestia was the only one daring to move, she darted her eyes around, worried about the sake of her friends. Luna attempted to cough to ease the tension, which only seemed to make it worse. The room was silent for five whole minutes. The chefs that were watching dared not to move, afraid that they would lose their jobs. Storm wasn't keeping track of the time, and misinterpreted a whole hour to have passed. It certainly felt that way. He was surprised, to say the very least. He had trouble knowing if what Celestia said was actually true. "I-I said I'm... Pregnant... Twilight Sparkle..." Celestia finally whimpered out, she was quiet, but the incredible size of the dining room made the voice well known. Twilight looked at Celestia nervously, she had a mixture of fear and conflict plastered over her face. Celestia returned with nearly the exact same expression. "Princess..." Twilight muttered. "Tia... Why did you not tell me about this?" Luna spoke up, while still staring at the empty plate in front of her. "I... I did not want to alarm you, sister." Celestia replied. Twilight got out of her chair and started to walk towards Storm, she wrapped her forelegs around her and started to sob quietly, even the echoes of the dining hall couldn't magnify Twilight's sobs. Celestia looked hurt, she wasn't used to seeing her top student this way, and by her hoof, no less. "I am sure Twilight feels happy for you, but I feel that it would be best if we simply left, I'm sure the shock is simply getting to Twilight..." Storm said, pulling Twilight closer to him as he heard her sobs increasing. Celestia looked down in shame. "I'm sorry..." Celestia muttered. "Don't be. I hope for the best on your pregnancy..." Storm said as he guided the still-sobbing Twilight towards the large doors that led out of the dining hall. It went without saying that Redblade was clearly the father, the signs were oblivious. Storm led Twilight to the outskirts of the castle and pulled out of the hug. "H-How? It all happened s-so fast..." Twilight said. Storm put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "I... I don't know Twilight. I was surprised at first as well, but I just want you to stay calm." Storm said. Twilight nodded and brushed off the last of her tears, sniffling a little. "T-Thanks, Storm. But how is Equestria going to react to Celestia having a child with that Redblade guy?" Twilight said. "That "Redblade guy" Was one of the most feared members of my clan, he was a prince about twenty years ago. He was killed by one of my ancestors during a duel. I don't even know if it's possible or not, but my queen managed to bring him back to life using her magic." Storm said, explaining a large majority of the situation to Twilight. "But... It would take power beyond that of Celestia to do something like that. Just how powerful is your queen?" Twilight asked out of vague curiosity. "I haven't seen her in person many times, although I can practically feel the magic radiating off of her whenever I do. She's intimidating, to say the least..." Storm said, he was rarely intimidated, but the thought of his queen had made him shudder on numerous occasions. Twilight gulped. "What will happen now that Redblade hasn't killed Celestia?" Twilight asked. "They... They will become suspicious... Redblade never failed a mission before..." Storm said, his eyes slowly widening. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. We should head back to Ponyville and tell the girls about this... Predicament" Twilight said. "Your friends..." Storm said before Twilight put a hoof over his mouth. "They'll understand. Maybe less so with Rainbow Dash and Applejack, but I'm sure they'll have no trouble accepting Celestia's pregnancy." Twilight said. "No... What do they think of me?" Storm asked. Twilight realized the trouble that Storm may have gotten himself into. Hopefully he could hold back some angry ponies. "If I explain everything to them, I'm sure that it will all turn out fine... In a couple of days..." Twilight said. Storm sighed. "Well, I'd assume the next train to Ponyville is soon... We'd best get on our way." Storm said, Twilight nodded and the two of them started to walk towards Canterlot's train station. The extravagance of the city still baffled Storm, the amazing architecture and regal-looking ponies was the polar opposite from the wooden huts in the Everfree Forest he previously stayed in. Once they had reached the train station, they realized they were in luck, as the next train was due in five minutes. They walked on to the extremely overdecorated platform and started to wait for the train. "Hey Storm?" Twilight asked. "Hm? Yes Twilight?" Storm responded. "Do you miss staying in the Everfree Forest? Didn't you have friends down there?" Twilight asked. Storm was taken slightly aback by his question. "I... Didn't have any friends in the Everfree Forest, the people weren't very friendly and the food was terrible, and training took up at least half of my day for the first few years of my life..." Storm said. "Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry..." Twilight said, lowering her head a little. "But now I have you, and that's better than anything I could have ever hoped to have." Storm said, he forced a small smile to appear on his face, he appeared to have some trouble doing it intentionally. Twilight perked up at hearing this, she leaned over and kissed Storm on the cheek. Shortly afterwards, the train arrived at the station and the duo boarded, taking a seat close to the doors. "So... Are we... Official now?" Twilight asked with a slight tone of worry in her voice. It wasn't the way she said it and the context in general was generally decent, but Storm couldn't help but break down into pained tones of laughing, almost as if the action itself was hurting him. He eventually recollected himself, letting out a small cough as he straightened himself up in his chair, looking at a bright red Twilight. "I-It's not funny!" Twilight said. "That was the first time I had ever properly laughed in my entire life. But yes... I suppose you could say we are *snicker* official..." Storm said. Twilight was trying to contain some giggles herself, she felt happy knowing that she could warm the heart of the most personality-drained Pony ever born. The train eventually came to a halt in Ponyville station. Where the couple departed from their ride. They started to walk towards Twilight's library, making small talk along the way. It wasn't long before a cyan Pegasus had spotted them, Storm and Twilight hadn't noticed her yet, as she was hiding behind a cloud (which she TOTALLY wasn't sleeping on) watching them silently. She made a loud battle-cry as she jumped from her cover, instantly rushing at Storm. He only realized Rainbow's existence once her fist was planted deeply in his lower abdomen. He let out a groan of pain as he was sent tumbling to the floor from the sheer power of Rainbow's punch. Twilight rushed over to his side, shooting a soul-piercing glare at Rainbow before using her magic to tend to Storm's wounds. "Twilight! You're alive! We thought this scumbag here had kidnapped you!" Rainbow exclaimed. Once Storm was back on his feet, still wobbling, Twilight walked up to Rainbow and pressed her face against Rainbow's. "This "Scumbag" here is Shadow Storm, and he didn't kidnap me! He's my... Er... Friend! You shouldn't make accusation like that Rainbow!" Twilight said to the Pegasus, who was now shivering in fear from Twilight's gaze. "B-But..." Rainbow started, but was promptly cut off by Twilight. "No buts! This stallion here is our friend. If anything, he did more good than bad! He... He didn't kill Celestia, Rainbow." Twilight explained. Rainbow raised a hoof at her statement. "What do you mean Twi? He tried to kill Celestia! Isn't that enough?" Rainbow said. Twilight immediately started to explain everything about Storm albeit all of the more... Intimate details, and she didn't mention anything about being his... It still pained Storm to say it; Marefriend. Once Twilight had stopped speaking, Rainbow spoke up. "Um... Alright? Are you sure he didn't brainwash you Twi?" Rainbow asked. Twilight facehooved. "Just... Get all the girls together and tell them to come to the library at five, alright? I'll explain everything in greater detail there." Twilight said. Rainbow nodded, putting her hoof in a saluting gesture. "Alright Twi, I'll go around Ponyville and round all the girls up!" Rainbow said before speeding off. Twilight looked back at Storm, who was eyeing the rainbow trail that Rainbow left behind menacingly. "That mare will be the death of me..." Storm said to himself. Twilight and Storm walked back to the library, only to realize that all of the girls were waiting for them already. "Looks like Rainbow doesn't understand the prospect of time..." Twilight said. Applejack instantly jumped for Storm, but he quickly dodged out of the way. Twilight managed to grab her before she could jump again. "Applejack! Please stop!" Twilight pleaded. Applejack eventually stopped struggling, walking away muttering something about "dang bucker" Twilight invited all of the girls inside, once they were all sitting down, Twilight spoke up. "Alright ladies. I suppose I have some explaining to do..." Twilight said, receiving a few nods from the mane six. She gulped, this wasn't going to be easy...