Storm was laying on the cold stone floor of the dungeons that were hidden below the mansion, three cobblestone walls and thick iron bars bars prevented Storm from any chance of escape, two warriors were stationed outside of the cell, positioned at each side of the wall. A small water droplet hit the floor with a loud *drip* every five seconds or so, which served as the only reminder that Storm was still alive. Almost dead, but still alive. His vision was distorted and he could barely register even the most prominent detail of the cell, the burn on his side exploded with a thumping agony from the after-effect of a burn mark. The open stitch on his side was re-sewn hastily, leaving Storm to believe that the wound had become infected with some sort of disease. The warriors stationed outside of the cell spoke rarely, and it usually went along the lines of "did you hear something?" when the slight squeak of a mouse was heard. The interior of the cell didn't leave much to the imagination, a small wooden bed held up by two chains against the far wall of the cell, a small sink where blatantly unclean water was dispensed from, and a few messages written with what Storm could only assume was blood across the walls of the cell, Storm didn't have the necessary vision or willpower to read any of them. Storm attempted to fall asleep numerous times, but the pain from his wounds and thoughts of Twilight managed to keep him awake. He must have lay there for hours, slowly recovering any feeling he had in his joints.
Once he could finally feel all four of his legs again, he tried moving them around to see if he could stand up at all. Three of his legs moved responsively, but his front-left leg refused to move, and pain registered instead of movement. He used his remaining strength to push himself up from the ground, luckily, he was on his right hand side. He seemed to have caught the attention of the warriors, as they looked at Storm with mocking smiles on their faces. Storm eventually managed to raise himself to four feet again, with the exception of his broken leg having to be carried in the air until it was healed.
"Hm. Awake, are you?" Storm registered one of the guards say. He didn't respond, partially by choice, but also because talking would only serve to cause him more pain. He heard the opposite guard let out a small chuckle.
"Don't you recognize me Shadow Storm? I was your training partner when we were still foals." The guard said. Storm shot a quick glance at the stallion, even under the helmet that hid most of his features, Storm recognized the stallion as his old training partner, but he couldn't remember the stallion's name.
"You spent all day locked in that room of yours, you were reading books before any of us learned to speak. You were a natural at learning, and I can't remember the last time somepony managed to beat you in combat one-on-one. Too bad you had to betray us and confide in that whorse of a mare. What was her name again? Twilight something?" The guard said. Storm almost jumped at the bars at that snide remark, but he managed to control himself.
"Buck you." Storm choked out, a small trickle of blood escaping his throat. The guard let out another laugh, looking at Storm with a face that said "Don't push me."
"So the traitor can still talk, huh? Well, it doesn't matter. The Queen intends to start the attack soon, she'll make sure to keep you alive until she can get her hooves on that mare of yours. Then I'm sure she'll take great pleasure in killing her before your eyes." The guard continued. The Queen intended to start the attack? Storm prayed to Celestia that Twilight had gathered up the rest of her friends.
"It will never work... Celestia will find a way to stop the Banished..." Storm said.
"And what's she gonna do? Use those "Elements of harmony" things to try and stop The Queen? Today's going to be the day we strike back, when we show Celestia how many lives she sacrificed to make Equestria a "better place" and we'll show her who the rightful Queen of Equestria is!" The guard said. Storm couldn't argue, The Queen had unpredictable ways to accomplish her goals, and she could easily overthrow Celestia and Luna with her magic.
"I left the Banished because I learned how evil and sadistic we all are. I found friends, and even love. And if you're willing to overthrow Celestia just for that, then you're no better than urchins in my opinion." Storm replied, he was met with the guard striking Storm's chest with the non-lethal end of his weapon. He was thrown to the far end of the cell, hitting the wall with a rather loud *thud* before looking back at the guard, who had a smug smile on his face. Storm fell onto his side once more, feeling the hands of death pulling him into unconsciousness once more.
Meanwhile, back in Ponyville, Twilight had just finished gathering up her friends. She was heading back to the library to check on Storm, then they would depart to Canterlot to see Princess Celestia. Twilight had taken the liberty of explaining the situation to her friends, which explained the large amount of time it took her to gather them up.
"So you're basing all of this off a dream that Storm had?" Rainbow asked out of curiosity.
"His last dream was true, so what's to say this one won't be?" Twilight responded.
"True, I suppose." Rainbow responded. The girls eventually managed to reach the library, where Twilight walked in, looking around for Storm.
"Storm? Are you there?" Twilight shouted out. She heard somepony coming downstairs, but her hopes were lowered once she saw Spike coming down.
"Hello Spike. Do you know where Storm is?" Twilight asked. Spike scratched his chin for a moment.
"I think he left a few minutes after you did. I think he was going to the Everfree Forest. There was an open scroll at the doorstep when I came down to check on him. I put it in the kitchen." Spike replied.
"The Everfree Forest? Why would he want to go to such a dangerous place? Especially if those "Banished" ponies are there." Twilight said out loud. The rest of her friends had let themselves in, and were talking about the situation near the doorway. Twilight walked into the kitchen and saw the scroll that Spike was talking about on the kitchen table. She walked up to the scroll, levitating it with her magic.
"The Everfree Forest. Now. Huh?" Twilight read the scroll aloud. She walked back to where the rest of her friends were waiting, using her magic to carry the scroll with her.
"Hey Twilight, what's that you've got?" Rainbow was the first to ask. Twilight barely heard her, she was too busy constructing theories in her mind about where Storm had gone.
"He had definitely read the note, why else would he have gone towards the forest? Who sent the letter? Could it have been those Banished ponies? Did... Did they get Storm? No... He wouldn't fall into such a simple trap... Would he?" Twilight thought. Her thought process was interrupted when Rainbow flew up to her face and looked her in the eyes.
"Hello? Twilight? You there?" Rainbow said, after coming to her senses, Twilight jumped back, startled by the rainbow pony's antics, dropping the scroll in the process. Rainbow took the liberty of picking up the scroll and read it aloud.
"The Everfree Forest. Now. What?" Rainbow exclaimed. The rest of the elements were also surprised at the scroll.
"W-Who sent this?" Rainbow exclaimed.
"It does seem rather... Threatening..." Rarity added.
"Ah'd say it's something along those lines, Rarity." Applejack said.
"Oh! Maybe it's an invitation to a surprise party!" Pinkie shouted enthusiastically. Fluttershy simply stood in one place, hiding her face behind her pink mane, letting out a small and squeaky "meep" once the letter was read out.
"I don't know girls, but it looks like Storm went to the Everfree Forest to investigate. And... He hasn't come back..." Twilight said, eliciting simultaneous gasps from her friends.
"We gotta tell Princess Celestia about this!" Rainbow exclaimed. Twilight nodded in response.
"Spike! I need you to write a letter to Princess Celestia!" Twilight shouted.
"Geez, Twilight, I'm right here." Spike said, standing right next to Twilight.
"Oh... Sorry about that." Twilight apologized. Spike shrugged and pulled out a quill and a scroll.
"Ready when you are, Twilight." Spike said. Twilight nodded and cleared her throat.
"Dear Princess Celestia. I have rounded up my friends as you requested, but unfortunately, something else is amiss. When I had returned to the library, Spike informed me that Storm had traveled to the Everfree Forest. He also said that he found a scroll at the front door moments after Storm left which read: THE EVERFREE FOREST. NOW. I have reason to believe that Storm went to the forest to investigate this strange note. He has not yet returned. What do you suggest out next plan of action is?" Twilight said. Spike put away the quill and sent the letter away to Celestia.
"I hope he's okay..." Twilight said. She saw Applejack trot up next to her.
"Ah'm sorry for yah Sugercube. We all know that you an' Storm were really close..." Applejack said.
"I'm sure he'll be fine. Storm knows how to protect himself." Twilight said, reassuring herself. A loud belch was heard, Twilight quickly rushed over to Spike, who had materialized a scroll from his fire. Twilight quickly levitated the scroll and opened it with haste, eager to see the Princess's reaction.
Dear Twilight Sparkle
Now that you have all of your friends together. I wish for you all to depart to Canterlot, I will send chariots to pick you all up. As for Shadow Storm, a letter with the exact same writing on it was delivered to Redblade's door this morning. I have reason to believe that the dream Storm had was the absolute truth, and we should prepare for the worst. We can only pray that Storm returns to the library safely. I am sorry for any grief this may cause you, I understand how close you and Shadow Storm were.
Your faithful mentor, Princess Celestia.
Twilight closed the scroll with a look of sadness and distress.
"Storm... Was he ponynapped? Oh sweet Celestia, please let him be alright." Twilight thought.
"There's no point in prancing about. I can see the chariots in the sky from the window, they'll be here any second." Rainbow said. Rarity walked up to Twilight and gave her a look of determination.
"Don't worry darling. If Shadow Storm is in any kind of trouble, then we'll help you get him back." Rarity said in a slightly unladylike manner.
"Thank you, Rarity. Don't worry, I'm sure Storm is fine. He probably just got lost in the forest." Twilight said. Rarity gave her a warm smile before walking off with the rest of the Elements, with Twilight following shortly after. Once the chariots had landed, they put themselves in pairs and boarded the chariots. Once everyone was safely inside the vehicle, the chariots took off once more. Rainbow obviously couldn't resist flying out of her chariot and circling around the skies close to the chariots. Twilight spent all of her time worrying about Storm, with Rarity constantly telling her that everything would work out in the end. About halfway through the trip, the thoughts about Storm and her, coupled with the gentle rocking of the chariot eventually drove Twilight into a deep slumber, Rarity smiled warmly once she saw the sleeping form of Twilight, deciding that sleep is probably what Twilight needed right now.
Meanwhile, back in the dungeon, Storm was still unconscious. But this time, he didn't actually feel any pain. In fact, he was having a rather nice dream, where him and Twilight were staring at the starry night sky together, he forgot all about his imprisonment and the situation with The Queen, and felt peace for the first time in days. He swore he could feel it when Twilight leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. He didn't want the dream to end. All he wanted was to be happy with Twilight, and for this nightmare to end.