//------------------------------// // 17. Thundercloud // Story: The Teal Changeling // by MrAlterad //------------------------------// Strewn across the wall of the hive's war room was a large, crudely drawn map. Streets, buildings, notes of importance, targets, all pertinent to the coming attack in the spring. The conquest of Canter Town. Unfortunately, the map was so densely packed with tactical knowledge that Queen Amber couldn't help but feel a little lost looking over it, and that was after Mantis had given her the bullet points. Since she would be taking an active part in the attack, she ordered him to inform her on all the details. An order she'd taken upon him once before, when he laid out his strategy for capturing Tampa Neigh years before. Canter Town was no small coastal village, making the queen of the changelings feel quite small compared to that map. Mantis hid a smile as he took in how lost his Queen looked. “Mantis, is all of this really necessary?” she found herself asking, getting a nod from the drone as he came to her side. “As you're fond of saying, Your Highness, there's a reason for everything. I don't indulge in superfluous action. Everything here is necessary,” he assured, making her raise an eyebrow as she pointed to a small notation in the map's corner. “Why destroy the Moon Princess's castle and the town after we've secured victory?” she inquired. “Wouldn't it be better to secure the location, and make it a staging area for the rest of Equestria?” “If we did that, than the rest of Equestria will know where we are, and work against us,” he said as he shook his head, “They can manipulate the weather. If they know where we are, they can use it against us. No, we're destroying it, the heart of Equestria, and in the process instill fear, and provoke anger,” he concluded with a nod, getting a considering look from the queen as she nodded. “I see. Those that fear us will cower, and the mad ones will act recklessly.” “That's right. As I said, I don't indulge in superfluous action. Every notation has its purpose.” “...I'll need some time to commit this to memory,” she admitted as she gave the map a displeased look, “You're dismissed, Mantis.” “Very well, Your Highness,” he replied, giving her a brief bow, then leaving as the queen scrutinized the map. As he left the room, he found his thoughts wandering towards the part of the attack he didn't privy the queen to, making him wonder if Sledge would follow through on his primary objective. His speculation was short lived as he took notice of a drone that'd been waiting for him. Mantis paused when their eyes met, making him adopt a smug smile, getting a glare from the other. “General,” Darrin began, “Permission to speak freely.” “Granted.” “What would Her Highness think if I pointed out to her that your attack on Canter Town doesn't have a single line concerning Chrysalis?” Darrin said, raising an eyebrow, “Does that mean she's superfluous to you?” “What are you referring to?” Mantis asked coolly, “I simply didn't want to put the princess in harm's way.” Darrin scoffed. “You're really full of it, Mantis.” “And all you have are words, nothing more,” he replied dismissively, “If you don't like it, then do something about it. Just be sure you weigh the consequences before you do,” he added, getting a look of mock-surprise from the drone. “You know, I never thought of that,” he replied sarcastically, “Alright, Mantis, in that case, I challenge you,” he said with a determined look, making the general blink in surprise, his cool demeanor faltering for a moment. “You ... what?” “I challenge you. Tomorrow, we'll duel. If I win, you must indulge in my request, and if you win, I must do the same for you.” “And what is this request?” Mantis asked with a raised eyebrow. “Our first recon group will be led by me,” Darrin replied, making Mantis smile at his forethought. “So as soon as we open the tunnels again, you can go find your precious clutchling,” he chided, before giving the drone a cold glare. “Do you honestly think you can best me? To defeat me in a challenge, you'll gain so much more than that.” His eyes then narrowed, “You could even take my title from me. I know you're aware of what'll happen to you and your clutchlings if that were to happen, so what are you playing at?” “What, can't figure it out on your own?” Darrin asked smugly, “You will accept my challenge. Or, would Mantis turn his back in fear—” “Don't even try provoking me, you're not the right changeling for that,” he spat out, before giving Darrin an appraising look. “You will have your fight. Don't expect to be left in a state to walk away from it once the dust settles,” he replied, turning his back to Darrin, “I'll do you the service of informing Her Highness,” he added, getting a nod from Darrin as Mantis left. Darrin's eyes followed the general as he continued down the hall. He was going to claim his prize, for he had a future to secure for his queen, and Mantis's thoughts on the matter were simply irrelevant. ~~~~~~~~~~ Carrots. Stale pastries. Dried apples. Old apple pie. Dud and Momo's haul seemed to vanish as they indulged in the food they found that was still edible. Well, besides the hay. The princess still had standards, and the grass was too pedestrian for her. The pie they ate sent a delicious shiver down Chrys and Momo's backs, making them add dessert to their growing list of new experiences. “That, that was something else,” Chrys said with a satisfied smile, leaning against a cloudy pillow as her eyes took in the glowing sky. “I can't recall the last time I ate like that.” “It really was amazing!” Momo replied, laying next to the princess, mirroring her smile, “I wouldn't mind having that sort of palette everyday!” she said, before adopting an amused smile, “Though... I'm pretty sure you ate more than Dud or I,” she pointed out, getting an agreeing nod from the pony. “Combined,” Dud stated, wearing a confused expression, “I wonder where it all goes?” he added, making Chrys blush as she frowned at him. “It was all so, so different, okay!” she replied, her stomach lurching threateningly, keeping her still as she glanced to the side. “You ponies. You really have it good, having such a variety of tastes and textures at your hooves,” she mumbled bitterly, not bothering to hide her envy. “We have it good?” Dud asked, before shaking his head, “I'm sorry to say, it's more like changelings have it bad. The other races, at least the ones I know of, enjoy such variety as well.” “Even lamia?” Momo asked curiously, getting an odd look from Dud. “Probably. I'll ask Ssarah next time we see her,” he replied, seeming to make a mental note of it before looking back to the princess. “Have you tried adding spices and other things to your nectar?” “I think the hive's been a little to focused on other things,” Chrys pointed out, getting a small nod from Dud. “Highness,” Aegis began, reminding the others of the silent guardian's presence, “may I ask how we're entering Equestria? I mean, beyond what transpires here?” he asked, making Chrys frown in thought. “Between Canter Town and The Badlands is a town called Dodge, right?” Chrys asked the pony, getting a nod in turn. “That's right, Dodge, a place where everypony likes to wear a big hat. And right now, it's probably taking a beating from that storm,” he explained as he glanced in the storm's direction. “Or maybe not. If there's enough pegasi at work, the storm could be directed away from Dodge. I'm guessing the town's a day or less to the north. If you want, I can find out how close we are when I talk to Princess Luna tonight.” “You can communicate with the Moon Princess?” Aegis asked with a raised eyebrow, getting an odd look from the others. “What?” “She can talk to Dud in his dreams,” Momo explained offhoofedly, before looking to Dud, “So we'll head to Dodge, then to Canter Town?” she asked, getting a nod from him. “Dud,” Chrys began, giving him a determined look, “I want to talk to Luna.” "Roger! I'll let her know tonight!” he replied with a grin. “I see,” Aegis said, his tone neutral as he looked to his charge. “Highness, how do you want me to appear? I'm assuming that we're keeping our true nature hidden?” “That's right,” she replied, “Luna doesn't need to know that we're changelings. At least, it would be best if we could resolve all this without her learning that.” “How come?” Dud asked, sounding a little disappointed, getting a flat look from Chrys. “You once told me that ponies would see us as monsters because we can shapeshift, and that we feed on love.” “Oh. Right,” he replied as his ears fell, “Okay then, it's your choice after all,” he added, nodding to himself as she started looking over her guard. “Now, being a large pony would gather too much attention...” Chrys said as she rubbed her chin, “...Can we pass him off as a pet manticore?” Momo asked, getting a considering look from Dud as Aegis considered it. “That would draw attention too, but I guess it fits better than a super-sized-pony,” Dud pointed out, getting a nod from Chrys, which Aegis mirrored. The princess then let out a long yawn, her face blushing as she rubbed her eyes. “Anything else we need to talk about?” she asked, looking between the others with a serious expression. Aegis considered it while Momo shrugged, Dud however rubbed the back of his head as he adopted a sheepish look. “Do you want to be welcomed?” he asked, getting a confused look from the others. “Princess Luna knows we're almost there, do you want to be escorted to Canter Town?” “No,” Chrys quickly replied, making him tilt his head, “I want to stay in Dodge for a bit, and I don't want her ponies watching us while we do.” “How come?” “...I want to see how ponies live,” she admitted as she glanced to the side, “Not in a dream, but for real. I want to talk to them. I want to know what it means to be a common pony.” “Highness, why would you wish to know that?” Aegis asked. “Because I want to, okay?” she replied, giving the others a look that implied she didn't care to elaborate. “We still have several months till the monsoon ends, so we have time to spare for this,” she added, getting a smile from Momo and Dud. “I wouldn't mind learning more-” Momo began, before her eyes widened in realization, “There would be fillies in Dodge. And colts!” she added getting a small laugh from Dud as Aegis gave them a troubled look. “...If that's what her Highness wishes. Hopefully masquerading as a manticore won't impede that desire.” “Oh, that's perfect!” Dud let out unexpectedly, getting odd looks from the others. “I've got something in mind. A form you can use that won't draw nearly as much attention, but I doubt you know it. No biggie though! We can find one outside Dodge.” “One what?” the guardian asked suspiciously. “That's a surprise~!” the pony replied, getting an unamused look in turn. “So we're all clear then?” Chrys asked again, getting a nod from the others, making her stifle a yawn, “Then let's call it a night.” With no objections from the others, they took shelter in the main building of the square. Momo and Chrys cuddled up together as Dud moved some of the clouds around them, patching up holes to keep the wintry air out. And with Aegis keeping an eye out, it wasn't long before the others fell asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~ As soon as Dud's dream began, it was hijacked. One moment, he was closing his eyes to fall asleep, and the next he was standing in the Weather Factory, a concerned Princess Luna looking over him as he tilted his head. “Were you waiting for me?” he asked, a little embarrassed as she nodded. “What happened?” Luna inquired, “I couldn't find you last night.” “Well, I passed out, but I guess I didn't really have any dreams,” he replied, more to himself than Luna. “Bad stuff happened, we got ambushed inside a cave, it was … unexpected,” he replied with a sheepish grin, “But we're fine now. Even better, we're in Thundercloud, and we have a new friend to help Chrys!” “Thundercloud...” she said, trailing off for a moment before shaking her head. “Who, or what, ambushed you?” “It was two very strong guards who work for Chrys's father,” he stated, getting an odd look from her. “What, is she a run-away princess?” Luna asked, a little surprised. “I guess you could say that? Her father is sort of calling the shots these days, and they really can't stand each other.” “And you said you gained a new ally?” “Yep! The older guard, Aegis, he saw reason, and is helping Chrys now.” “I see...” she replied, frowning slightly, “So I take it her father is the one that led the attack on Thundercloud?” she asked, getting a nod from the pegasus. “Show me. I want to see what's become of it,” she requested, making Dud nod, his dream shifting as the Weather Factory melted away, revealing the devastation outside. Her eyes faltered for a moment, before her brow furrowed. Dud's ears fell as Luna flew through the city, following after her as she took in all there was that he had seen. “...It's worse than before,” she stated, breaking the long silence carried between them. “It is?” he asked, getting a nod as the dream shifted again, by Luna's influence, showing a less holey city than before. “They did more to it after the fact,” she stated with an angry breath, “Why? What reason was there for this?” she asked, more to herself. She then looked to the pegasus, a calculated look in her eyes, before she landed on a nearby spire. “Mr. Gust, I want to know more about Chrys' father. What is his name. Why did he do all of this? I need to know, and I have no intention of waiting to hear it from the princess herself.” “T- That's fair,” Dud replied as he landed before her, briefly glancing to the side in thought, before looking to her. “Chrys' father is called Mantis. He's cold and calculating, and he probably did this to Thundercloud out of spite.” “And where does this spite come from?” “Envy? Jealousy? The grass in Equestria is greener,” Dud pitched, before frowning, “Or it's more like Equestria has grass,” he explained, making Luna reflect on this for several minutes as her eyes roamed over the clouds. “So, Mantis is the name,” she said to herself, before looking to the pegasus. “Tell me, Mr. Gust, how did Chrysalis react to seeing this?” “Well, she didn't like it, if that's what you're asking. Pretty sure she was very bothered by it. I think she was imagining what it felt like, having one's home ruined,” he added distantly, getting a considering look from Luna. “I didn't know Thundercloud was like this. For that, I must apologize to you.” “For what?” “This was your home, I saw it in your dreams. Nopony should have to return to a home looking like this.” “It's okay. I'm fine,” he assured with a smile, “I got to talk it all out with a friend.” He then looked over the ruins one last time, before giving the princess a determined look, “We'll be going into the Weather Factory in the morning,” he added, drawing the princess' thoughts back to what lay ahead. “Very well. Be sure to proceed with caution. You remember what I told you about the orb?” “Yep! Whatever we do, don't break it. Just turn it off,” he paraphrased, getting a nod from her, “You sure you don't want us to bring it back to Equestria? What if Mantis comes back for it?” “He can't use it in any capacity beyond what it's doing now. And, it won't be of any use to him once you use the passphrase. It'll lock down and be useless until I personally unlock it. So once the old relic is inert, I couldn't care less what becomes of it,” she added with a frown. “Princess?” Dud asked as he tilted his head. “The Weather Orb is a relic of another age. It is ancient, not unlike Thundercloud. The orb is a tool capable of great, and terrible things,” she stated, emphasized by showing the storm that dwarfed the city. “It's always caused me some level of worry. Because of that, I've kept its existence a secret. Only three ponies knew of it, and two of them worked in the factory.” She then took up a contemplative look, “I'm curious to know how Chrys's father gained control of it.” “He may have enthralled one of those ponies,” Dud replied absentmindedly, getting a concerned look from Luna. “Enthralled? So whatever these ‘pegasi’ are, they can use magic?” she asked, getting a flustered look from Dud. “You'll need to ask Chrys,” he replied, getting an appraising look from her, before she let out a small sigh. “She wants to talk to you, I think she wants to form some sort of peace,” Dud explained, making Luna blink in surprise. “Is that possible if she's running from her father? Won't that just make things escalate?” “Mantis will have to be dealt with,” Dud said with a strong sense of certainty, making the princess raise an eyebrow. “So there's an internal conflict at play,” she mumbled, before adopting a frown. “I've sent the Shadowbolts to Dodge, they'll be waiting there for you and Chrys. I'll inform them to protect each of you from your pursuers.” “Chrys doesn't want to be escorted,” he quickly stated, making the princess' eyes narrow. “Then she won't be, but she will be watched. This isn't up for discussion.” “She's not going to like that,” Dud replied flatly, getting a small smile from Luna. “She'll be watched, and nothing more. My soldiers will intervene if an incident occurs, but nothing beyond that, she has my word.” She then gave Dud a coy smile, “If you're so inclined, you can opt to not inform her of the Shadowbolts.” “I'll let her know. I'm sure she'll understand,” Dud replied, getting an impressed look from Luna. “Moving on, have you seen any sign of the enemy?” she asked, getting a confused look from Dud. “I doubt Chrys's father intended to leave the orb unprotected.” “We haven't seen any others since we got here. Chrys was left under the impression that it'd been completely abandoned.” “Still, be sure to advance on the factory with caution.” “If anypony is there, they'll listen to Chrys,” he replied resolutely, getting a considering look from Luna, before the dream shifted again, placing them at the heart of the Weather Factory. A large room littered with pipes and large vats that hung from the high ceiling, both made of enchanted iron. The vats easily dwarfed Princess Luna, each labeled with pictures of different kinds of clouds. Pipes connected the vats to two places, snaking around each other towards the center of the room, and the room's far end. At the center was a small domed chamber, the 'core', which had a chimney that fed toward a large funnel above. The funnel connected to the rest of the pipes, which could be switched between them to connect to a single vat at a time as the core fed into it. Rushing out of the chimney was a condensed stream of white mist, energy cracking through it, letting out small zaps of lightning that were received by small conductors around the funnel. Dud's eyes followed that mist, flowing into the pipes towards the 'Snow Storm' vat, before continuing through the pipes leaving the container out towards the large exhaust funnels placed outside the factory, where the storm spawned from. “Assuming everything turns out for the better, show me you can shut it down,” Luna said, getting a nod from the sunny pegasus as he walked up to the sealed door that separated the Weather Orb from the world outside... ~~~~~~~~~~ Chrys was clinging to Momo's back as the group flew, leaving Tradencloud behind them as Dud finished narrating his dream. Chrys frowned as she looked to him, not liking the idea of being watched while in Equestria. “What are the Shadowbolts?” she asked, “I've heard of them mentioned several times by Mantis and Amber, are they dangerous?” she added as they started to ascend, flying up to the topside of the factory district, Cloudmake, ahead of them. “Yeah, they're sort of like Princess Luna's royal guards,” Dud said as he eyed Aegis, “only pony-sized. It's a group of Equestria's most capable fliers, fighters, operatives, and it wouldn't surprise me if a pair of them were an equal match to a royal guard. No offense,” he added as he caught Aegis's incredulous glare. “And you don't think Luna will order them to capture me?” Chrys asked warily, making Dud shake his head. “As long as we don't cause trouble, that is,” Momo pointed out, getting a nod of agreement from the pony. Chrys was about to add something, but as they reached the top side of Cloudmake, she was cut off by a strong, chilly breeze that made all of them falter back. They exchanged looks, before they pushed through the gust, climbing higher, their eyes widening as they took in the district's state. While the other districts were filled with holes, Cloudmake had none. The holes had been filled in, the clouds around them having crumpled inwards. The district was more cloud than city, yet signs of what it once was remained, giving it an uncanny, unsettling visage. It was now a city of white stone, that's been consumed by its own foundation. And beyond the district, was the storm. A howling gust cried out from it, words of thunder laced through the air as the veil that split the storm east and west crackled with energy. Even clothed, Momo and Chrys felt the biting chill as small flurries of snow brushed past them, making Chrys' horn brighten as she expanded her heat enchantment to cover her clutchling. Though Chrys wouldn't be bothered by the cold as a pegasus, she didn't want to be without her magic, which led her to settling on being a unicorn for this part of their journey. A decision that was already paying off, as Momo voiced her gratitude, her shivering settling down from Chrys's warmth. Or, at least she tried to voice her thanks, but it was drowned out by the storm's cries. Chrys's eyes narrowed as they pressed forward towards the Weather Factory. Her horn tingled, the strange sensation from yesterday getting notably stronger as they proceeded. It felt like her magic was being lightly tugged at, being drawn towards the storm ahead of them. “Does anyone else feel that!?” Momo shouted, getting looks from the others. “Feel what?” Chrys asked. “Like, something's pulling us in? It's, weird!” Momo explained, and Chrys couldn't help but agree. The winds were trying to push them away, yet they felt the strange pull regardless. “I feel it too. My feathers are all tingly!” Dud replied, “I'm no weather expert pony, but I think it's the storm!” “I suggest flying lower!” Aegis said, “The breeze should be weaker-” he was interrupted when a lightning bolt lashed out from the storm. Its arc flickered uncomfortably close, all but Aegis covering their ears from the ache its boom birthed. Momentarily deafened, it didn't take much provocation for the group to fly lower, following Dud's lead as they weaved between swallowed spires and chimney stacks. They flew on for several minutes, weaving by spires and hills. Passing a particularly large outcropping, their destination came into sight. “That's the Weather Factory!?” Momo asked, her surprised look mirrored by the others. Ahead of them, towering over the plumy hills was a large intact dome near the edge of the cloud. Raised above the back end of the dome were four large funnels, expelling thick clouds out into the sky, feeding the storm. “Looks like Mantis didn't want it damaged!” Dud replied, another lightning bolt striking Cloudmake unsettlingly close to them. As they flew past where the bolt struck, Chrys noticed the cloud had darkened at the impact, but was slowly swirling back to white. Closing the remaining distance between them and the Weather Factory was strenuous. Even Chrys found her legs aching from how hard she was clinging to Momo. As they were about to reach the front entrance, Dud was suddenly knocked off course, hitting an unseen wall of wind. The pegasus quickly recovered, giving the others a surprised look as he returned to them. After appraising the factory for a moment, Dud came close to them, telling Momo and Aegis to ram through the wall, following his example. The three of them watched as Dud backed off some distance, curving around before diving towards the entrance at an odd angle. Once again, he was knocked off course by the wind, but the angle he came in at made him spiral towards the entrance, crashing through the cloudy doors of the factory, and disappearing from sight as the hole he made closed behind him. Momo and Aegis shared a look. The guard flew over Momo, taking Chrys into his paws, to the princess' surprise. Momo gave her a reassuring look, before Aegis gave a sharp flap of his wings, diving towards the wall as Dud had. Chrys resisted the urge to close her eyes as she pictured that unseen wall approach. With an impact that knocked the air out of her lungs, Aegis and his charge spiraled to the side, before unceremoniously crashing into the factory as Dud had. The interior of the factory was significantly more tame than the outside. The contrast was so different that it disoriented Chrys, making her wonder where all the noise and buffering had gone. It wasn't long before Aegis's movement made her aware of her surroundings, making her wriggle out of his grasp, landing on the floor as she glanced around. Unlike the stony look of the other districts, the interior of the factory had a more metallic quality to it. The lobby was a mess, however it was clean compared to the rest of Thundercloud. Discarded factory uniforms and safety helmets were scattered about, as well as assorted junk like paperwork and odd-looking tools that Chrys could only fathom involved somehow manipulating clouds. Spotting Dud close by, she saw him eyeing the wall with a look of anticipation, which she mirrored as she glanced to the closed double-doors. The slight rumbling of the storm answered their concern as they waited. Several seconds later, as Chrys was about to take a worried step forward, the cloudy doors gave way, Momo crashing through them with a surprised cry, before planting her head into the opposite wall. Chrys let out the breath she'd been holding as her horn glowed, pulling her clutchling out. Momo was shivering, prompting Chrys to hop on her back and spread her warmth. “Well, that was fun!” Dud let out light-heartedly, getting a sheepish chuckle from Momo as Aegis shook his head. “No, it wasn't,” Chrys replied, eyeing the pony. “Now that we don't have to shout, Dud, something's been bothering me since yesterday,” she began, getting a curious look from him, “The Weather Orb is causing the storm. It's a dangerous artifact, so why didn't Mantis bring it back to the hive?” she asked. “Amber could have used it against Luna, right?” “I'd guess that Mantis was aware of the fail-safes Princess Luna placed on it,” Dud stated as he started taking in the hallway. “She was really worried about the orb falling into the wrong hooves. There's the phrase she gave me that makes it inert, and from what she told me, taking it outside the factory has the same effect.” “So the only way Mantis could use it was by making the storm,” Chrys concluded, getting a confused look from Momo. “How'd he make it do that?” she asked. “My guess,” Dud started as he moved down the abandoned hall, waving the others to follow, “he found the unicorns in charge of the orb, and replaced their special somepony with a changeling. Don't know all the details, but I can see him pulling their strings through their love,” he finished, a small frown on his face as Momo and Chrys glanced to the side. “But that aside,” he began, scooping up a pair of abandoned helmets, “Let's stay safety conscious!” he added with a smile, bringing the hard-hats to Momo and Chrys. “It's a bit big, but it's better than nothing.” He then helped put them on, being far more amused with the act than Chrys felt he should be. She eyed the helm loosely attached to her head, before taking it off. It was irritating her horn. “No good?” he asked, getting a flat look from her, “Right then. So that leaves one for me and...” he continued, scooping up another abandoned helm, before pausing to look at Aegis. “You ... might be too big for these.” “It's okay,” Chrys interjected, “His head is already hard enough,” she said with a sly smile, looking at Aegis expectedly, who offered little more than a glance to the side. Chrys gave him a disappointed look as she motioned them to continue. “You could have said something back, you know.” The royal guard gave her an appraising look, before shaking his head. “Highness, I mean no disrespect, but I'm not your Bulwark,” he said, his ears fallen. She gave him a surprised look, her face flushing briefly. “W- What's that supposed to mean?” Her eyes then narrowed, “You don't think you're better than him, do you?” “As I said, I meant no disrespect, Your Highness. Bulwark is a fine royal guard, I am proud to count him among us,” he then smiled a little. “He earned that much when he protected you as an egg,” he stated, getting a surprised look from Momo and Chrys, which made him blink in confusion. “He ... never told you?” “What did he do?” Chrys asked in a pleading tone, before she shook her head, giving him a hard look, “Tell me, who did he protect me from.” Before Aegis could reply, “It was Mantis, wasn't it?” “Yes, Your Highness. Mantis threatened you, and Bulwark didn't even hesitate. He attacked Mantis. Her Highness was quite pleased with his actions,” the guard explained, before his smile faded. “Still, I am not Bulwark. I'm not comfortable with how casual he is towards you. I understand it's by your wishes, but I don't wish to adopt that level of … exposure.” “Why not?” Dud asked. “Aegis is very serious,” Momo added in an understanding tone, “When he looked after Chrys while Bulwark was out in The Badlands, he didn't join us in sunbathing.” “It's more than that,” Aegis added defensively, “Highness, I am first and foremost, Queen Amber's guard. Should the time come when you'll leave the hive to start your own, I will stay by my queen's side. You have Bulwark, and he is all you truly need,” he stated confidently, getting an appraising look from Chrys, before adopting a frown. “Aegis, right now, you're my guard. Not Queen Amber's, and definitely not Mantis's,” she said sternly, getting no retort from him, “That said, I...” she hesitated, unsure of what she wanted to say. She felt like she wanted to apologize, but she wasn't sure why. “Not to ruin the moment,” Dud began sheepishly as he stopped in front of a large door, “But we're here.” “R-Right. Aegis, it's okay,” Chrys stated, getting a confused look from him as she eyed the door. “...The Weather Orb. It's in there,” she stated, a concerned look on her face. “I, I can feel it,” she added, the pulling sensation stronger than ever. “So it's the orb that's making us feel weird,” Dud said as he nodded to the princess. "You're right, the orb's in here, inside a dome in this room's center. It's probably gonna be a bit loud inside.” “We'll go first,” Chrys replied as she indicated herself and Momo, “Mantis said he withdrew all our soldiers, but if he was lying, I can deal with them,” she said, making Dud tilt his head. “Wouldn't a manticore going first be better?” he asked, making Chrys exchange looks with Aegis as Dud eyed the door, “Either way, let's go say the magic words then move on to Dodge. The storm should disperse quickly once the orb's turned off,” he said, about to open the door. His eyes then widened as he realized something, making him adopt a troubled look. “What is it?” Chrys asked eagerly, making him glance to the side. “I get the feeling Mantis may have left something behind for whoever came back for the orb...” he said as he eyed the door apprehensively. “...Aegis, be careful,” Chrys said, getting a nod from the guard as he approached the door, making Dud step back from it. Instead of opening it, Aegis peaked his head through, easily passing through the cloudy wall. He then proceeded through, making Dud blink in surprise, before rolling his eyes as he opened the door, causing a gust of wind to greet them. Dud was surprised to see that most of the room's contents were destroyed. He flew in after Aegis, eyeing the crushed vats and broken pipes that dangled from the ceiling. All but the one vat, and the pipes tied to it remained intact, and it was doing as Dud had seen in his dream. The small dome in the room's center poured out cracking white mist into the vat, feeding the storm outside. Aegis flew a circle around the room, avoiding the center, spotting no pony, or changeling within. Chrys and Momo eyed Aegis as they came to Dud's side. “I'll admit,” Dud began, a relieved look on his face, “I was almost expecting a bunch of cocoons being clustered around the core.” “That, would be...” Momo began, a dower look on her face as she eyed the ground. “Well, at least he didn't,” she added optimistically as Chrys eyed through the broken machinery. “Mantis, he broke all this to limit Equestria's options,” she guessed, getting a small nod from Dud. The pony then approached the dome's door, eyeing over it as he did, trying to find anything out of place. Not finding anything, he hesitated for a moment, before he placed a heavy hoof on the door, causing a metallic clang as he did. He tapped on the door several times, to the sound of an old lullaby, and after his final knock, the door opened up with a click. As Chrys looked past Dud to get a look at the orb, she heard the sound of something snapping overhead, making her glance up to the vat above, seeing it coming down upon the dome. Her eyes widened as her horn glowed. She grabbed Dud's tail, pulling him back, while at the same moment Aegis moved, sweeping around and pulling Chrys and Momo away from the dome. The vat connected with the dome. There was a snapping sensation that made Chrys's horn flare in pain. The vat crumpled from the impact, resting upon the dome as the torrent of white mist came to a sputtering end, along with the noise and wind that assaulted them. Chrys rubbed her horn as Aegis turned to eye the threat, seeing the ruined vat resting still, as if locked in place. He then moved aside, letting Chrys see that Dud was safe, if a little put off by the unexpected pull. Getting back on his hooves, he paused, his eyes locked on the dome's interior. His mouth fell open as he quickly entered, and Chrys followed after him, a sense of dread building in her as she saw the orb. It rested on a dais, a glass sphere with an interior that looked like a rumbling cloud of lightning floating in the sky. A large piece of metal, sharp and pointed like a spike, had been driven through the pipe that led the orb's clouds out of the chamber, piercing the very top of the artifact. A small bolt of electricity arced out from where the orb was pierced, causing an ominous crack to form in the glass. “T- Tia's favorite pie is filled with Cherrapples!” Dud quickly let out, causing the orb to flicker for a moment, before another bolt of lightning jumped out. This one was significantly larger than the previous, making Dud leap back, before turning to the others, wide-eyed. “Welp, passphrase doesn't work on a broken magic device. Time to go!” The orb crackled, as if to punctuate the idea. Dud left the core, closing the door behind him as he did, flying towards the door to the room before pausing to eye the others. “Now!!” “R-Right!” Chrys replied, hopping on Momo's back, before her clutchling took flight towards the exit. As they left the room, Chrys could feel something building behind her, filling her with a sense of urgency. Following Dud, he guided them through what he felt was the most direct escape route, passing through cloudy walls in a straight direction. Because of that, it wasn't long before they were back outside, the torrential gusts gone, with hints of sunlight trying to break through the shadows the storm cast. After putting a little more distance between themselves and the factory, Dud slowed down, coming to a stop as he eyed the factory. It looked no different than before, but Chrys could still feel it. A building pressure where the orb was, as if all that it had drawn in was now seeking to escape. “What's going to happen?” Momo asked in between heavy breaths. “Don't know, but it won't be good,” Dud stated, “Then again, maybe the metal shell the orb is kept in will-” A dull rumble emanated from the factory. They paused for a moment as they eyed the dome, and Dud's eyes widened as the white sphere started to turn dark. Lightning was starting to crackle from it, and a breeze was starting to tug at them, drawn towards the factory. The pressure was still building. “Keep moving!” Chrysalis ushered, getting no argument from the others as they continued their flight. As they turned their back on the Weather Factory, lightning started to lace out from it, clinging to Cloudmake with a crackle, changing the clouds dark where the lightning touched. The factory started sinking into its foundation as the nature of the district shifted. As the group left it behind them, Cloudmake was no longer anything resembling a piece of a once mighty city in the sky. It was now something more akin to that city's namesake. The air that was pulled towards the thundercloud was gradually increasing in strength, giving the group all the indication they needed that they weren't far enough away. The booming thunder was growing louder as the pressure continued to build, making Chrys wonder in horror at what would happen when it stopped. Cloudmake began to rotate, and as it did, Chrys could see it drawing the other districts closer, the edges of Tradencloud turning dark as it was licked by lightning. The princess flinched as she felt something snap, the pressure weakening briefly as an unnaturally thick lightningbolt struck out, crawling through the holes in Tradencloud, snaking by and exploding out from several of those wounds. The district was starting to take on the form of its neighbor. Buildings began to melt into the cloud as its white disposition shifted darker, and Chrys could see debris, furniture, various things that weren't made of cloud start falling out from beneath the city. Lightning licked at that as well, causing small fires to tumble down towards the earth below. Dud had a conflicted look on his face as he took note of Thundercloud's state. Aegis flew ahead of them, trying to break down the wind's strength so the others could follow in his wake. Chrys's eyes never left the city. Tradencloud was now melding into what was once Cloudmake, and it wasn't alone. All the other districts were sharing in its fate, becoming fonts of lightning as the pressure kept building. She then noticed that the storm Cloudmake had been feeding was also being drawn towards the center, lightning bouncing between the two masses in a promise of untold potential. As if passing some unseen barrier, the gusts that pulled them died down, making each of them exchange relieved looks, continuing to put distance between the city at a less panicked pace. After pulling several miles between themselves and the thundercloud, they paused to catch their breath, and witness the city's end. Once a memento to an older time, home to pegasi of all flights of life, Thundercloud was now nothing more than a ball of black thunder, feeding on the storm it once fed. At least, that's what the others saw. Chrys saw something different. She could feel it, the broken Weather Orb, centered in that cloud, and her mind's eye pictured a light as bright as the sun, flickering with each megabolt the cloud sent out. The pressure was still building, and Chrys was starting to wonder if it would ever stop. Would the orb consume the wintry storm? Where would it go? As these questions plagued her thoughts, she felt a calm come over them. The pressure stopped rising. Thundercloud and the storm-wall seemed to pause, as if the winds that directed them had vanished. Chrys felt her magic begin to tingle, her heat enchantment flickering oddly as the hairs on her mane started to stand on end. There was an electrical presence in the air, and before Chrys could wonder what it meant, everything seemed to vanish, the world turning white, as the sky became lightning...