_____*Sweet Apple Acres*_____
Applejack was carrying apple baskets inside the barn while trying to make sense of the previous day.
While she knew that the pony that Insanity had taken over had no control it did not help calm Applejack's nerves, how could it?, the only thing that calmed her was that he was no longer suffering.
Applejack sighed as she dropped her baskets in the barn, while Insanity had deserved what happened to him, it felt wrong to try and justify death, but the thing that bothered her the most was how Pinkie was attacked while she could have done something.
She heard a light knock on the barn door, Applejack turned around to see a smirking Storm. "How did I guess you'd be here?" He asked.
Applejack shuddered at the sight of him for some reason, she walked up to him. "How you holding up?" She asked with concern.
Storm chuckled. "If I wasn't used to death I wouldn't have killed Insanity would I?" He replied cheerfully.
Applejack unknowingly shivered. "How's Pinkie?" She asked.
Storm smirked again. "She's fine, but I want you to remember something, when you see her, she isn't the same as before, and she goes by Pinkamena now." He replied plainly.
Applejack raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" She asked.
Storm sighed. "Man you are full of questions aren't you?" He said with annoyance.
Applejack took a deep breath. "Sorry, just all of these things that are happening." She said apologetically.
Storm nodded and hit the barn door three times with the hilt of his dagger. "Ok, you can come out now." He called.
Pinkamena walked around the corner and looked at Applejack. "Hey Applejack." She said blankly.
Applejack remembered this appearance from her last birthday. "Pinkie, uh I mean, Pinkamena, are you ok?" She asked.
Pinkamena nodded. "Yea I'm fine, I'm still developing though." She replied.
Applejack was confused. "What do you mean developing?" She asked.
Pinkamena sighed. "I'm changing, not just physically but mentally, I seem to be more physically capable then before and I'm smarter then before, but so far not much else has happened." She replied.
Applejack nodded slowly. "I'm not exactly sure I understood that but ok." She said with confusion.
Storm walked away from the barn and flew up to the roof of it, once on the roof he carefully examined the surroundings, the farm was very quiet today, save for the occasional bird, the apple trees swayed in the wind while the scent of apples blew through the air, Storm sighed happily before sitting on the roof to chant, he did so but was quiet this time.
Pinkamena and Applejack walked out of the barn and shook hooves, Pinkamena looked up at Storm. "Storm!, you coming?" She shouted.
Storm looked down and nodded, he jumped off the barn and landed on his rear hooves, he quickly set his front hooves back on the ground. "Lets go then." He replied.
Pinkamena and Storm said their goodbyes to Applejack and walked away from the barn. "What's bothering you Storm?" She asked.
Storm shrugged. "I don't know, I keep getting the feeling we're being watched." He replied.
Pinkamena looked around but saw nothing but trees. "Haven't you tried your, scanning eyes?" She asked awkwardly.
Storm nodded. "That was the first thing I tried, but I'm not seeing anything with them anymore." He replied sadly.
Pinkamena raised an eyebrow. "I thought you always said that nothing could hide from you?" She asked curiously.
Storm bit his lip causing it to bleed a little. "So did I, but it seems I was mistaken." He admitted.
As Pinkamena and Storm walked away from the farm a faint laughing was heard in the wind, Storm stopped and turned around. "You go on ahead Pinkamena, I got to go." He said before flying off.
Pinkamena sighed and continued walking. "Stay safe." She replied silently.
Storm flew up to a nearby cloud and looked around, his eyes turned green as he furiously scanned the farm, it frustrated him that his eyes were not helping, Storm growled and he closed his eyes to focus, as he attempted to see with his scanning eyes Storm noticed something odd, he felt a presence deep inside him, it was buried but now that he couldn't see the outside world it became clear.
"So, what are you?" He asked the presence quietly before opening his eyes.
Storm heard a dark laugh come from his mind. "Well that backfired." Said the voice sarcastically.
"Ha ha, now how about you tell me what you are." He demanded.
The voice chuckled. "Ooh, touchy, I guess you could call me an ancient being, much like Insanity, by the way, thanks for that" It said sarcastically.
Storm shook his head. "Better question, "who are you?" He asked.
The voice hummed a short tune. "Oh me, nobody special, just call me Vengeance." It said.
Storm smirked. "So Vengeance, you a male or female?" He asked teasingly.
Vengeance made a choking sound and then a coughing sound. "Who asks a question like that?, you wound me, I'm a guy you dunderhead." He replied. before causing Storm to feel a quick pain in his head.
Storm rubbed his head. "Well, we've established that I'm your host, I take it there's a good reason why you haven't taken over?" He asked.
Vengeance sighed. "Close an eye." He ordered.
Storm laughed. "Yea right, like id ever." He replied, right when Storm replied a stabbing pain went through his head. "Alright I get it!" He screamed painfully.
Even though it was a bad idea Storm had complied, he closed his left eye and saw a faint image that was becoming clearer and clearer, it was a black stallion with draconic wings and razor sharp teeth like Insanity's, he also had gray spots all over him, his eyes were dark red slits, and he had pointed ears. "This is why I don't take you over, you see, when an Element of Chaos takes over a host the host changes to look exactly like the Element, but regardless, Insanity was correct, the body however is still overall, the host's body." Vengeance explained.
Storm grinned. "So your waiting for the right moment to take me over eh?, oh well, at least I have someone to talk to." He replied.
He looked around the farm and noticed that his eye was now working. "So it was you doing that." He scolded.
Vengeance chuckled. "Had to make sure you wouldn't find me, like I said, that backfired." He replied shamefully.
Storm smirked. "Now, lets see if your meddling made me miss something hmm?" He asked.
Vengeance sighed. "Might as well, not like I'm going to do anything right now, and my god, you have got to decorate in here." He said in disappointment.
Storm flew over the farm in search of anything he missed, but as he flew he detected a trace of power, he looked around for it and saw it underneath of him, Storm smirked and followed the most recent trail that lead right for Ponyville.
Vengeance was humming a tune that was similar to Storm's own. "You know, our tunes are very similar, you know that right?" He asked.
Storm shrugged mid flight. "Don't you dare call me a copycat." He threatened.
Vengeance laughed. "Or what?, what can you do!, I am deep inside your mind, I could make you mentally ill or actually kill you with one step, don't threaten me boy." He stated seriously.
Storm chuckled. "Go ahead, not like I would care." He replied blankly.
Vengeance sighed. "I had to pick you didn't I?" He said with disappointment.
Storm grinned as he followed the trace with a hint of excitement, he zigzagged with the trace and was laughing at the same time.
"You know, I just finished watching your past memories of Cloudsdale, you changed a lot I must say." Vengeance teased.
Storm frowned as he followed the trace. "I'm not talking about it." He stated firmly.
Vengeance closed Storm's left eye, Storm saw Vengeance raise his hooves up in defense. "I never said that, all I said was that you changed, cant take a compliment?" He asked curiously.
Storm shook his head as he watched the trace head to the library. "So if you know Insanity's powers, you must know a cure for my friend." He wondered.
Vengeance opened Storm's left eye and nodded beforehand. "Yes, but I thought you liked your friend the way she Is?" He asked.
Storm smirked. "I do, in fact you could say I love the way she is, but regardless, is there a way to allow both personality's to coexist?" He replied.
Vengeance was silent however as Storm landed in front of the library.
Storm followed the trace inside the library which confused Twilight to great lengths.
In Twilights point of view all she saw was the door burst open and Storm walked in with his head frantically looking around. "Um, can I help you?" She asked nervously.
Storm's eyes followed the trace as it weaved all across the library. "Nope." He said as he followed the trace.
Twilight decided it was best not to try and prod Storm for information so she went back to what she was doing.
Storm finally caught the trace heading out of the library, he followed it cautiously.
The trace lead out of the library and towards Sugarcube corner, Storm followed the trace slowly. "You deaf or something Vengeance?" He teased silently.
Vengeance sighed. "Sorry, I was thinking on your question, and it should be possible, but the method in which to do so, requires a sacrifice, if it still exists that is." He replied blankly.
Storm stopped in his tracks at this but soon continued following the trace. "Very well, tell me what it is." He demanded.
Vengeance chuckled. "You speak as if you can order me, don't forget who holds the leash, pup." He threatened while making Storm's head go through massive pain for emphasis.
Storm held in the pain as it subsided. "I get you." He replied while out of breath.
Vengeance sighed again. "Now, the place you seek is a temple, it was deep in the forest last I checked." He said.
Storm rolled his eyes. "And when was the last time you checked?" He asked.
Vengeance hummed a small tune. "Um, one thousand years?" He replied nervously.
Storm choked on a breath at that. "So what makes you think it will be there!" He snapped mentally.
Vengeance whistled innocently. "Nothing, but that's your only chance." He stated.
Storm sighed in annoyance. "Fine, where is it exactly?" He asked calmly.
Vengeance chuckled darkly. "It lies in the forest that no one enters, deep in its growth the temple lies, but remember, if you truly wish to allow Pinkamena and Pinkie to coexist then you best bring a sacrifice, or be one yourself." He warned.
Storm grinned. "Tell me, you've been observing my memories, so why don't you tell me this, when did I care about my life?" He replied confidently.
Vengeance laughed. "Never, you never did." He joked.
Storm chuckled a little before seeing that the trace went inside Sugarcube corner. "You know, I miss Blade Gorge, at least that place had better named restaurants." He said with annoyance as he entered the bakery.
Vengeance continued laughing at this making Storm laugh softly.
Storm walked into the bakery and sighed, inside the bakery was someone that Storm did not want to deal with right now, it was Scootaloo, Storm looked around for the trace and finally saw it go upstairs, he focused more power into his eyes and followed the trace mentally, it went up the stairs and into Pinkamena's room.
Vengeance was silent now which disturbed Storm. "What's wrong eh Vengeance?" He asked with worry.
No reply came from Vengeance as he remained silent.
Storm sighed and focused even more on following the trace, he mentally followed the trace into the bedroom and experienced something shocking.
Instead of seeing Pinkamena's bedroom and the trace Storm saw something more, interesting, he was seeing through someone else's eyes, the room was dark and cold, the window was barred, there was blood everywhere and on him, Storm also felt something in his teeth, he pulled it out and saw it was a bloody knife, Storm also felt different.
Storm heard whimpering near him and he looked over in that direction, while the room was dark he could still see, Storm noticed a figure huddled in the corner, upon closer inspection he noticed that the figure was female and was bound with rope.
He dropped the knife and walked up to the mare, as he approached the mare he noticed that she had cringed.
Storm reached the mare and kneeled down next to her, he got a better look at the mare, she had a blue coat and a teal mane and tail, the mare had no mark on her, the part that had entranced Storm was the mares eyes, not that he cared, the mares eyes were a bright sapphire color but instead of white the sclera was a dark gray, the mare had no wings or horn.
The mare trembled at Storm's presence which made Storm even more curious, he slowly reached out with his hoof and touched the mares neck gently. "Don't move." He ordered.
When Storm put his hoof on the mares neck he immediately noticed what was happening, he was inside Pinkamena's body, apparently Pinkamena had captured this mare and had tortured her, the mare was not dying thankfully, Storm sighed and released the mare, he undid the ropes and walked away.
"You had best leave." He said in Pinkamena's voice.
The mare shakily stood up and rushed to the door. "Hurry, before I change my mind." Storm added.
Storm sighed as the mare left the room quickly. "What happened?" He wondered as the world changed.
Soon after the world changed it had focused again, and so Storm found himself back in his place. "What was that?" He asked mentally.
Vengeance sighed. "Apparently it was another timeline, but somehow you were able to control Pinkamena." He replied.
Storm walked over to a nearby booth and sat down to ponder this. "So, Pinkamena is going to capture someone, what do I do about that then?" He asked silently.
A voice chuckled next to Storm. "Its never a good thing when you talk to yourself." It had said.
Storm looked to his right and saw a mare sitting next to him. "How long were you there?" He asked.
She giggled. "I've been here, what are you doing here?" She asked.
Storm immediately recognized the mare as the one from the vision. "I was searching for something, I ain't saying more." He replied firmly.
The mare chuckled before closing her eyes and grabbing a hat from, somewhere. "It isn't my business anyway, just keep it down ok?" She asked.
Storm nodded. "Sure." He replied.
As he thought something went through Storm's mind. "Why am I feeling this way?, I never made a big deal of anything this, small." He asked himself mentally.
Vengeance laughed. "Maybe its because you finally stopped bottling your emotions." He teased.
Storm growled softly. "Shut up." He snapped mentally.
Vengeance chuckled. "Hmm, nah, although I do find it curious, you always kept your emotions hidden for a long time after your wife died, maybe that wall you made finally cracked." He suggested.
Storm sighed and looked at the mare with his scanning eyes, only to see that she was awake and looking at him.
"What do you want?" He asked defensively.
The mare smirked. "Its been a while since I've seen one of your kind out and about, I thought you dogs preferred seclusion?" She asked.
Storm chuckled and pulled out a small flask off of his belt, he took a quick drink and closed it. "Heh, don't get used to seeing me then, I'm not exactly sane." He replied.
The mare sat up and slid over to Storm. "I guess introductions are necessary." She said.
Storm grinned. "Yep, I guess so." He replied.
The mare held out her hoof which Storm shook after a moment. "My names Jade." She said.
Storm chuckled. "No its not." He replied.
The mare gave him a strange look. "Yes it is." She insisted.
Storm looked at her and smirked. "Nope, it really isn't." He stated.
The mare sighed and looked at Storm. "Fine, its Cosmo, happy now?" She replied.
Storm smiled. "Thank you for being honest, I'm Storm." He said before taking another drink from his flask.
"Aren't you too young to drink?" She asked.
Storm laughed quietly. "I turn into a monster every month, what do you think id do to help with the stress?" He replied.
Cosmo smiled softly. "I wasn't criticizing, I was just saying." She said sarcastically.
Storm shook his head. "So, Cosmo, how do you know about me?" He asked cautiously.
Cosmo chuckled. "Its easy really, just follow the smell." She teased.
This cheered Storm up a little. "Yea right, what do you want?" He asked firmly.
Cosmo smirked. "Right to the point?, good, I hate dancing around the details, I'm looking for certain, individuals, with special ability's." She replied.
Storm looked at her with curiosity. "For what?" He was genuinely curious.
Cosmo whistled innocently as a patron walked by, when they were alone again Cosmo leaned in close to Storm's ear. "I'm going on an expedition, the path is said to be very dangerous, I was sent by the company leader to hire some extra hands, hooves or talons." She explained.
Storm was losing interest fast and Cosmo knew it. "What are you searching for?" He asked.
Cosmo remained silent as another patron walked by. "The lost temple of Trakor." She said quietly.
Vengeance gasped. "Storm that's the temple that I was talking about!" He shouted.
Storm grinned. "Fine then, tell me the deal." He said.
Cosmo sighed in relief. "Ok, the company leaves here at twelve AM sharp, your pay will vary depending on how many company members make it to Manehatten after its over." She replied.
Storm thought on this. "I don't need money, I never bothered with it, the only thing I'm in it for is to find out if the temple can help." He thought.
"I was wondering, would it be possible to bring a friend along?" He asked.
Cosmo chuckled. "Why not, the more the merrier." She replied.
Storm grinned and took another drink out of the flask.
"This will be interesting." He said out loud.
Cosmo chuckled. "Yes it will." She agreed.
Storm looked over at Scootaloo who was staring right at him. "Shit." He said silently.