Pinkie bounced happily through the town in search of her friends.
The townspony's waved hello at the party pony as she passed by them.
Ponyville itself was a town that always found itself in the middle of chaos, it was a peaceful town at heart.
Pinkie bounced up to Sound and Rose's house and knocked excitedly.
The door made a clicking sound and opened to reveal Colgate and as a shock to Pinkie, Dash was there as well.
"Hey Pinkie, what's up?" Colgate asked.
Dash rubbed her eyes. "Huh?, oh hi Pinkie." She said groggily.
Pinkie smiled widely. "I just wanted you to know that I'm planning a party for later and your invited!" She replied happily.
Dash nodded slowly. "I'll come, when is it?" She asked.
Pinkie continued smiling. "Its later at seven." She replied. "So Colgate can you come too?" She asked.
Colgate smiled and nodded. "Yea I can come, got nothing going on anyway." She replied.
Pinkie was happy that her friends were coming, she said goodbye to Dash and Colgate and bounced away towards Sweet Apple Acres.
As she bounced towards the Apple family farm she passed the park, the park was relaxing, two moderately sized ponds, six benches, and fourteen bushes.
Pinkie bounced through the park and noticed somepony she knew, she moved over to her friend.
She bounced up next to her friend and noticed who it was exactly. "Hey what's up?" She asked.
The pony turned to face Pinkie and smirked. "Nice to see you." He replied.
Pinkie smiled at her friend, who was a discolored blood red Pegasus colt with purple eyes, sometimes, sometimes they were forest green or red, or one was forest green and one was red, his name was Storm Blitz.
Storm also had an odd personality, sometimes he was emotionless, sometimes he was sarcastic and fun, or he would be cold and angry.
Pinkie knew it would be polite to ask him to the party and she planned to do just that. "Hey Storm I'm having a party later, want to come?" She asked.
Storm shrugged. "Why not, I don't have a lot to do." He replied.
Pinkie giggled happily and zoomed off towards Sweet Apple Acres.
Storm was confused about what just happened. "Ok, I didn't even get a time." He said to himself.
A pink blur zoomed passed Storm and a note appeared.
Storm picked up the note which read. "Seven o clock, don't be late." Storm shook his head at this and continued what he was doing.
Pinkie bounced up to Sweet Apple Acres in search of Applejack.
The apple farm was expansive and large, many apple trees littered the farmland, a big red barn and a house stood in the middle of it all.
Pinkie heard somepony grunting and bounced towards the one who was doing it, she passed many trees and eventually found Applejack working, Pinkie happily bounced over.
"Hey Applejack." Pinkie said.
Applejack wiped her forehead and looked at Pinkie. "Hey Pinkie, what're you doing here?" She asked.
Pinkie smiled. "Well you see, I'm having a party over at Sugarcube corner and I was hoping you could come." She replied happily.
Applejack sighed. "Sorry Pinkie but I got to much going on here, I got enough work here to last me the day, I wish I could come though." She said apologetically.
Pinkie softened her smile at her friend. "Its alright, but if you find time feel free to come over, the party's at seven." She replied while walking away.
Applejack smiled. "I'll remember that." She said before returning to her work.
_____*Sugarcube corner 6:59 PM*_____
Pinkie heard a ring at the door and she walked over to answer it, she opened the door and saw Storm and Twilight arguing.
"Enough Twilight, we're here to have fun, not to argue about country's." Storm said as he walked in.
"Hey Pinkie." He greeted.
Pinkie was curious so she looked at Twilight.
"What was that about Twilight?" Pinkie asked.
Twilight exclaimed in frustration before walking in. "Sorry Pinkie, we were debating about our country's, he kept saying that the citizens of Equestria are ignorant, I kept saying that the Artic citizens were warmongers." She explained.
Pinkie closed the door. "Why would they do that?" she asked.
Storm popped his head around a nearby corner. "We were just defending ourselves, the griffins attacked us first." He replied before returning to what he was doing.
Twilight gave Pinkie an apologetic look. "I'm sorry about the argument Pinkie, we didn't mean it." She said.
Storm popped his head out again. "Yes we did." He countered before popping his head back.
Twilight's face turned red but she performed the calming technique that Cadance taught her.
Pinkie heard a ring at the door and opened it, she smiled, Colgate and Dash arrived with Rose and Sound.
"Glad you could make it." Pinkie said cheerfully.
Colgate and Dash smiled and nodded before entering the building.
Rose entered the building and thanked Pinkie for the invite.
Sound looked around the area carefully. "Are you sure we aren't being watched?" He asked cautiously.
Pinkie giggled at Sound's awkwardness. "Yes I'm sure, come on in." She replied.
Sound slowly entered the building. "Good, I cant shake this feeling that something isn't right." he said as he sat in a nearby chair.
Pinkie closed the door and bounced over to Twilight. "Hey Twilight, is Rarity coming?" She asked.
Twilight looked at Pinkie and shook her head. "Sorry Pinkie, she said that she had to many orders to fill." She replied.
Pinkie felt saddened but knew she couldn't hold it against Rarity for not coming.
A ring at the door broke Pinkie out of her trance as she bounced over to the door, she opened it to see Fluttershy and Lyra.
"Hey Fluttershy!, hey Lyra!" Pinkie said happily.
Fluttershy smiled and Lyra gave a sheepish wave. "Sorry if I'm an inconvenience." Lyra said apologetically.
Pinke giggled happily. "Of course not!, some of our friends couldn't make it anyway, come on in." She replied cheerfully.
Fluttershy and Lyra entered the building. "Thank you for having us here Pinkie." Fluttershy said.
Pinkie smiled. "Thank you for coming." She replied.
Lyra began talking with Twilight about magic and Fluttershy was talking with Sound about the critters he had seen in his travels.
Pinkie was just glad to have her friends here, she was so happy that she jumped in the air. "LETS PARTY!" She shouted.
Storm could be heard falling down some steps. "OW!" He shouted.
Something then crashed. "OOOOWWWWWW!" Storm added.
______*Two hours later at Sugercube corner*_______
Other then Storm falling down the steps and that box falling on his head the party went off without a hitch, Twilight and Lyra even played a few rounds of pin the tail on the pony, everypony had accused Storm of cheating when he put the tail on the pony perfectly everytime, he had replied with. "I cant help it if my scanning eye wouldn't go away" Storm was promptly banned from playing after the fifth round, Dash and Colgate had locked themselves upstairs and Sound had said something about the two being the most horny couple he ever met.
Rose and Fluttershy had talked about several things but Pinkie never heard what they were talking about, Storm and Pinkie had a drinking contest that was interrupted by Applejack arriving and joining in, Pinkie had won by a single second, Storm's liver was strong, but Pinkie's was just a little bit stronger.
And so Pinkie stood in the room that the wild part of the party took place, Storm was sitting in a nearby booth.
Storm looked at Pinkie. "So, it's just us left, need any help cleaning up the place?, if not too bad I'm helping anyway." He said as he groggily stood up.
Pinkie snapped out of her trance. "Huh?, oh right, the cleanup, thanks for helping." She said as she began to clean up the mess.
Storm focused on the stuff on the floor while Pinkie worked on what was on the tables.
Pinkie didn't say it often since everypony left her to clean up by herself, but she was glad for the help. "Storm why are you helping me out?" She asked randomly.
Storm grinned. "I got my reasons, but I guess one of the best ones is that you have my respect, I can tell that you have a mask that you hide behind, don't get me wrong but its a damn good mask, you had everyone fooled, even me, until the party ended, then you felt lonely because you believe your liked only because of your party side, you have my respect because of how well you hold it together, not because of the party's." He explained.
Pinkie let a tear out. "Thank you." She replied quietly while she worked.
Storm grinned. "Anytime Pink." He said as he continued to clean.
Pinkie chuckled at the nickname. "That's a good one." She said happily.
Storm did not reply.
Even though Storm had kept quiet through the night Pinkie couldn't help but ponder on his words, he didn't act like it but Pinkie could tell that Storm was very intelligent, after they finished the cleanup Pinkie had said goodbye to Storm and thanked him for the help.
Storm had replied that it was no trouble at all, and that it helped him think on recent events.
Pinkie had gone to bed after locking the building down, but even in her sleep Pinkie could not stop thinking on Storm's words. "You felt lonely because you believe your liked only because of your party side." Pinkie was tossing and turning all night trying to find a reason for this, but found none.
_____*Sugarcube corner*_____
Pinkie slowly opened her eyes and groaned as she slowly sat up, she gasped in pain as a splitting headache came to her head, Pinkie held her head for a moment but soon found something odd, the pain had gone away only to come back through the rest of her body.
She managed to hold in the pain by biting her lip, the pain persisted for a few moments before disappearing.
Pinkie released her breath and was now breathing heavily. "What was that?" She asked herself.
She stood up and walked towards the bathroom, she walked inside and looked In the mirror, she was shocked by what she saw, she was now a darker pink and her mane was now flat, her cutie mark was now three blooded knifes, she also seemed to have blood on her, she closed her eyes so she didn't have to look at it.
"That's not who I am, that's not me, It looks like me but isn't." She said to herself.
A dark chuckling was all Pinkie heard before falling unconscious.
Pinkie's eyes snapped open as she sat up incredibly fast and was breathing heavily. "Just a dream, just a dream." She told herself.
She managed to get her breathing under control and slowly stood up, Pinkie walked over to the bathroom and went inside.
Pinkie walked up to the mirror and looked at her reflection, to her relief she looked normal, nothing was wrong with her thankfully, she sighed in relief and continued to do her business.
After Pinkie had finished going to the toilet she stepped into the shower, she turned on the shower and let the water soak her.
As Pinkie showered she thought more on last night, she didn't know why but Storm's words got to her, deeply, she sighed and continued her thinking, Storm had said that he respected her for how well she held herself together from the sorrow.
Pinkie shoved these thoughts out of her head as she continued her shower, she had work to do after all.
A few minutes passed and Pinkie exited the shower, she dried herself off and walked back to her bedroom, she heard a groaning and immediately became wary, she cautiously entered her room and looked around, Pinkie gasped at the sight she saw in the bedroom corner.
In the corner was Storm, but he was tied up with rope, Pinkie rushed over to undo the ropes.
"No, I don't want to leave." He said without opening his eyes.
Pinkie was confused as she undid the ropes. "But you've got to leave." She replied.
Storm giggled awkwardly. "No, stop it!, uncle! uncle!" He said as he laughed.
Pinkie got it, he was asleep, but regardless she shook Storm's head rapidly.
"Huh, whoa whoa whoa, you can stop it I'm awake!" He shouted.
Storm shook his head and looked at Pinkie. "Oh hey Pinkie, what are you doing in my room?, wait a minute, why am I in your room?" He asked.
Pinkie shrugged. "I don't know but you have to go." She ordered as she pointed at the window.
Storm rubbed his head. "Ugh, what did I do last night?" He asked as he flew out the window, or as he slammed into it.
"Ouch." He said as he fell to the floor.
Pinkie sighed and opened the window. "Before you go, what DO you remember from last night?" She asked.
Storm slowly stood up. "All I remember is helping you clean up and going home, I went to sleep and that's it." He replied as he flew outside.
Pinkie nodded as she closed the window, she then walked downstairs.
"Good thing the Cake's aren't here to have seen that." She said under her breath.
Pinkie knew that the bakery would not open until the Cake's returned, so she decided to wander the town, he walked up to the door to leave the building but a thought occurred to her. "Why was Storm in my room?"
This thought clung to Pinkie's mind even as she left the bakery two minutes later, but then again, how could it not?
_____*Ponyville park ten minutes later*_____
Storm leaned back next to the pond as he pondered what he would do next, he had already ran out of things to do, he didn't feel like sparring with Dash because it would be far to easy, he didn't have work this month because a mistake in the weather plans had set it to far behind, he didn't go to school for he felt he was smart enough, even his favorite pastime which was sharpening Demise did not satisfy him, he knew what he needed, he wanted excitement, this town had made him dull, he sighed and closed his eyes.
Normally if Storm was bored and nothing he could do would cure him of his boredom he would chant, but he couldn't find a reason to do so.
"This town is so dull, give me something to do already." Storm said to himself.
A chuckling came from behind him. "Don't worry, with this town something will happen eventually." The voice said.
Storm chuckled and turned around to see Pinkie. "Last person I would've expected to see today." He replied.
Pinkie smiled softly and looked at the sky. "Shame there isn't any clouds out today." She said.
Storm smirked. "Might as well get used to that, there wont be any weather for the rest of the month." He replied.
Pinkie sat down next to him and watched the ducks in the pond. "That's going to hurt Applejack's farm drastically." She said.
Storm put a hoof to his chin. "I'll see if I can swipe some clouds for that, I'm sure the weather department wont mind." He replied teasingly.
Pinkie smiled again as Storm sat up. "I cant stop thinking about what you said to me last night." She said plainly.
Storm looked at his friend and grinned. "Really?, I didn't say much at all." He replied.
Pinkie chuckled. "That's what I told myself, but I cant help but wonder about it, so Storm, what is it that makes you smile?" She asked.
Storm looked up at the sky and laughed. "At this point?, just about anything, there isn't anything to do anymore, well, not exactly but I'm not in the mood for a slaughter." He replied.
Pinkie looked at Storm in shock. "Would you really do that?" She asked worryingly.
Storm shook his head. "Nah, that isn't my style, I prefer to have a reason for that kind of stuff." He replied.
Pinkie sighed in relief. "Well I better get going, see you later." She said while bouncing away.
Storm watched the party mare leave the park and chuckled. "What did I get myself into now?" He asked himself.
As the two friends went their separate ways a dark figure sat in a nearby tree watching the whole time.
"Soon, soon they will know their role in the grand scheme, soon, but for now I shall keep my distance, enjoy what time you have left." The figure said before it teleported away.
_____*Golden Oaks Library 10:21 AM*_____
Twilight was reading on the Elements of harmony again, she was attempting to find any reference to the Elements of chaos, but sadly found nothing, she turned the page and found something interesting, it was a description of the Elements of harmony defeating an ancient evil, but it wasn't Discord, it was something that was smudged out from the picture, Twilight concluded that whatever happened to the book was no accident.
Twilight had a good feeling that it was intentional, whoever did this wanted to remove all mention of these Elements of chaos, but Twilight was curious as to why, normally Twilight would ask her mentor about this but she had a feeling that Princess Celestia would just dodge the question.
She needed more information but the only one that she knew that could make any sense of these smudges was not the sanest of pony's, Twilight knew that if she wanted information she would need to ask Storm for help, even if she held a grudge against him.
Twilight sighed and set the book down on her desk, a knock at the door startled Twilight.
She took a deep breath and walked up to the door, she slowly opened it to reveal Pinkie Pie.
Twilight allowed Pinkie inside and closed the door. "I'm doing some research, apparently there's something called the Elements of chaos." She replied.
Pinkie giggled. "Silly filly, that's Discord, I thought you knew that?" She asked.
Twilight sighed. "No Pinkie, I'm sure its not Discord, its something else entirely, come over here a moment." She said as she walked up to her desk.
Pinkie bounced up to Twilight who showed her a smudge on the page. "Oh no!, Twilight someone smudged the page!" She said frantically.
Twilight giggled. "No Pinkie, that's not it, this smudge is just like the one on the last page in the book, I was going to ask Storm for help on it, he seems to be able to see through the smudge." She replied.
Pinkie calmed down and stopped bouncing. "I can go ask him if he could help." She suggested.
Twilight gasped and frantically shook Pinkie's hoof. "Thank you thank you thank you, I owe you one for this Pinkie." She replied happily.
Pinkie began bouncing. "No problem at all, I'll ask Storm the next time I see him." She said.
Twilight let go of Pinkie's hoof and smiled. "I've got to get to work now, see you Pinkie." She stated as she walked back to her books.
Pinkie smiled and bounced away. "See you later Twilight!" She shouted from outside.
Twilight noticed that one of her books were out of place and levitated it over, she looked at the name, Chaos and Harmony, this name made Twilight curious, she opened it and immediately was shocked.
_____*Sweet Apple Acres 2:31 PM*_____
Applejack was in the orchard working, she was currently grabbing baskets of apples and taking them to the barn.
As she worked Applejack couldn't help but feel like something wasn't right, she felt that somepony was watching her, but whenever she turned around there was nothing.
Applejack sighed and continued walking. "Something isn't right." She said quietly while she walked.
The orchard was very quiet today, and while this may have been a good thing to most, to Applejack recently it felt wrong.
Applejack heard a twig snap behind her and she quickly turned around to see nothing. "What in tarnation?" She asked herself.
"Ah, the Element of Honesty, to be honest I expected someone, I don't know, bigger." A dark voice said behind Applejack.
Applejack froze as the voice behind her chuckled darkly. "What do you want?" She demanded.
"Ooh, feisty, at least you have a sense of humor, unlike the last bearer." The voice teased.
Applejack went to turn around but was flung into one of the many apple trees causing the baskets she was carrying to fall, she looked up to see an Earth pony stallion with a gray coat and a white mane and tail, she stood up shakily.
The stallion showed a bit of surprise at Applejack's endurance. "Well I see that you have strength." He said.
Applejack chuckled. "Going to take a lot more then that." She replied mockingly.
The stallion chuckled. "I see that you have the endurance of the last Element of Honesty, perhaps more." He praised.
Applejack wasn't amused. "You had best give up boy, I barely felt that." She replied as she got into a battle stance.
The stallion laughed. "Please, you don't have any real power, you need your friends for any real strength." He mocked.
Applejack charged and the stallion did the same, she saw him make an early uppercut and turned around to deliver a double kick.
The stallion predicted this and ducked to avoid the attack, but soon met Applejacks hoof in his face.
Applejack jumped backwards to get some distance between the stallion and herself. "Told you it wouldn't be easy." She stated.
The stallion laughed manically. "Oh yea, this will be fun!" He joked as he stood up shakily.
Applejack prepared herself for another fight but soon found herself shocked.
The stallion brought his right hoof up to his face, and bit his hoof causing it to bleed. "Strength, that's what this fight is about, not endurance." He countered.
Applejack watched in horror as the stallion began to glow white, the stallion then grew in size until it was double the size of one of the apple trees.
The Stallion laughed evilly. "NOW YOU FACE THE TRUE POWER OF INSANITY!" He proclaimed.
Applejack was horrified to say the least, but as Insanity advanced upon Applejack she had an idea, she would use his size to her advantage.
Insanity slowly advanced on Applejack with the intention to kill. "DO NOT RESIST!" He demanded.
Applejack chuckled. "Not a chance." She countered.
Insanity growled. "Your choice." He said quietly as he moved at a speed that was amazing for his size, Insanity slid in front of Applejack and slammed his hoof into the ground causing it to shake, all of the trees in the area fell down forcing Applejack to dodge.
Applejack dodged the trees but wasn't able to dodge Insanity's swipe, she was flung backwards and slammed into an apple tree.
"I need some rope, or I'm done for." Applejack said to herself as she stood back up.
Insanity charged again and went to swipe Applejack again, but she managed to dodge and he tripped.
Applejack ran up to him and climbed onto Insanity's back as he stood back up.
"WHERE DID YOU GO!" Insanity shouted.
Applejack climbed up to Insanity's head and slammed her hoof into his head multiple times causing him to scream in pain.
Insanity may have been large and powerful, but he wasn't the brightest mind out there, he cursed himself for letting this happen as he fell to the ground.
Applejack jumped off her enormous opponent and looked at him with confusion. "How did somepony so big go down so easily?" She asked herself.
Insanity began shrinking down to normal but stopped when he was as tall as one of the trees.
Applejack got the idea, she would have to shrink him until he was on the level with her, she smirked and charged.
Insanity shakily stood up and looked over at Applejack, he saw her charging and swiped clumsily, which she just dodged.
Applejack flipped around quickly and delivered a powerful kick to Insanity's leg.
Insanity held his leg as it thumped in pain, as he held his leg Applejack kicked his other leg causing him to fall over.
Applejack watched as Insanity shrunk even more until he was the same size as she was.
Insanity could feel his power leaving him. "I should have waited, damn it!" He shouted as he held in the pain.
Applejack rushed to her barn to get some rope.
Insanity decided to leave before she returned. "I'm not at full strength, but I should have been able to deal with the Element of Honesty, its bearer is much stronger then the last one that's for sure, either that or I'm weaker then I once was, YES THAT MUST BE IT!" He said quietly.
Applejack came out of the barn to see Insanity attempting to escape, she rushed over with the rope in hoof.
Insanity felt something on his back legs and looked to see that Applejack was tying him up. "Damn" He swore as he gave up.
Applejack tied up Insanity and began to drag him towards the library. "Don't I get a say in this?" He asked.
"Nope." Applejack replied.
The two had remained silent as they passed through the orchard.
_____*Ponyville ten minutes later*_____
Applejack dragged Insanity through the town getting surprised gasps from the townspony's but Applejack paid them no mind.
"Your going to talk or you'll regret it." Applejack said to her prisoner.
Insanity laughed manically. "Go ahead, torture me, kill me, I don't care, I've spent a few thousand years as a flame, I can handle it." He replied.
Applejack smirked. "He isn't the brightest is he?" She asked herself.
As Applejack dragged Insanity through the town headed to the library Applejack noticed somepony familiar.
She walked up to the pony. "Hey Storm, what you doing? Applejack asked.
Storm shrugged. "Pinkie asked me to meet her in the library, why is that guy tied up?" He asked.
Applejack looked at Insanity. "He attacked me." She said simply.
Storm chuckled. "You didn't even invite me, oh well, I'll see you at the library." He said flying off towards the library.
Applejack continued to drag Insanity through town until she reached the library, she walked up to the door and knocked.
The door creaked open to reveal a very annoyed Twilight. "Oh thank Celestia!, Applejack can you help me get those two under control?" Twilight requested.
Applejack dragged Insanity into the library causing him to shout in pain, she saw Pinkie and Storm playing what seemed to be charades, Pinkie was currently posing as something odd.
"Sorry Twilight, I don't think I can help." Applejack replied.
Pinkie and Storm stopped what they were doing and looked at Twilight and Applejack.
"So what did you want me here for Twilight?" Storm asked.
Twilight nodded and grabbed the Elements of Harmony book. "I need you to see if you can make sense of this page." She said pointing at the smudged page.
Storm's eyes turned green as he examined the page. "It shows a battle between the Elements of Harmony and the Elements of Chaos, at least five of them anyway." He replied.
Twilight's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" She asked.
Storm continued to examine the page. "It details that five of the Elements of Chaos battle one of their own, apparently the Elements of Chaos had made a deal with the Elements of Harmony, the sixth bearer of the Elements of Chaos had betrayed them.
Twilight was curious now. "Can you tell me all of the names that are mentioned?" She asked.
Storm nodded. "The names are, Magic, Honesty, Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, Loyalty, Insanity, Greed, Rage, Deception, Vengeance and Betrayal." He replied.
Twilight looked at the stallion that Applejack captured. "Who are you anyway?" She asked.
Insanity laughed like a madpony. "Insanity, you wont win against us all, Element of Magic, we are in hiding, biding our time until the right moment, you cant beat us all, not if your missing one of your Elements." He teased evilly.
Twilight grabbed him in her magic. "And you wont have the chance to do anything, when I alert the Princesses about you they will, what's so funny?" She asked as Insanity began laughing mid sentence.
"The fact that you would alert those weaklings means nothing to me, only one nation ever wounded me and my kin, and your Princesses banished them for eternity." Insanity mocked.
Twilight looked at Storm who was looking at the floor. "What's wrong?" She asked.
Storm looked up. "The Artic, we were the only nation to ever wound the Elements of Chaos, I just remembered why." He replied.
Pinkie wrapped a hoof around her friend and Applejack glared at Insanity. "What do you mean that the Princesses are weak?" Applejack asked.
Insanity laughed. "Out of all of the Elements of Chaos, I'm the weakest one, and even I could defeat those two, even at their full power." He boasted.
Applejack smirked. "I can tell your the weakest, after all you went down easily enough." She teased.
Insanity laughed even harder. "I wasn't at full strength, I only recently got this host." He replied as he coughed up blood.
Applejack's eyes widened. "Wait you mean that I?" She asked.
Insanity chuckled. "Yep, the Elements of Chaos lost their real body's a long time ago, so we use hosts, just like those damn Elements of Harmony, so in short, you almost killed an innocent." He mocked.
Applejack began to cry softly. "Yep, all of the Elements of Chaos have hosts, but I'm not saying which one I helped kill, that's for you to find out." He continued.
Twilight levitated a strip of tape and gagged Insanity. "You need to be quiet." She ordered.
Storm bit his lip. "I know which one is dead." He said.
Twilight rushed up to him. "You do?" She asked frantically,
Storm nodded and looked at the smudged page. "Its obviously Betrayal, its the only one that makes sense." He replied.
Twilight turned to face Insanity, she removed the tape. "Tell us the ability's of the Elements of Chaos." She ordered.
Insanity laughed. "For one we don't have the weakness that the Elements of Harmony have, we don't need each other for our powers, but when we work together we are invincible, unlike you." He paused.
"Me for instance, I get strength by slaying the insane, or as your friend saw I can make myself bleed to increase in size and power, oh I forgot, I can also bring the hidden sides of people out, like your pink friend, and the Pegasus there." He added.
Insanity spat at Pinkie and Storm causing two small barbs to come out, Pinkie and Storm went to dodge.
One barb missed Storm, but the other hit Pinkie right in the neck.
Pinkie gasped in pain and surprise, she removed the barb but found herself feeling off, she shrugged it off.
Storm charged at Insanity and slashed his throat with Demise.
Twilight and Applejack were shocked and appalled by Storm's actions. "Storm!, he was our only link to the Elements of Chaos!" Twilight scolded.
Storm had a blank stare on his face. "Do you really think we need him alive?" He asked blankly.
Twilight couldn't believe his emotionless face, she just walked away in frustration.
Applejack decided to leave so she opened the door and left towards her home.
Twilight walked up to Pinkie with concern. "Pinkie are you alright?" She asked with worry.
Pinkie shook her head rapidly and looked at Twilight. "Yea I'm fine, just tired is all." She said reassuringly.
Storm walked up to Pinkie and looked at Twilight. "I'll make sure she gets home safe." He said as he led Pinkie outside.
Twilight looked at Insanity's body and almost threw up. "Don't worry about the body, I'll clean it up." Storm said before continuing.
_____*Sugarcube corner four 7:21 PM*______
Storm stood in the lobby of the bakery and sighed, for some odd reason Pinkie had insisted on him coming back after disposing of Insanity's body, he had done so but he was still unsure, when he had asked her why she wanted him to stay she had said, "I don't feel like being alone right now."
If there was one thing Storm understood it was loneliness, so he obliged but was beginning to wonder on how long he would be stuck here, but there was an upside to the day for Storm, something had happened, and it was helping him to calm down.
Pinkie was in her bedroom pondering what that barb was, she still felt off and it was getting worse, she sighed and looked out the window.
It was nighttime now and Storm had made a big fuss about it for some reason, Pinkie turned around and her eyes widened, it was a sack of flour and a rock, Pinkie knew what that was, she shook her head and the two objects disappeared.
Pinkie was hallucinating, she gulped and felt something coming up her throat, she held it in but instead her mouth opened and she coughed up blood.
Storm opened the door and walked inside. "Pinkie I just came up to see if you needed any, WHOA." He shouted as he saw Pinkie coughing up blood.
Pinkie wiped her mouth and looked at Storm. "What's happening to me?" She asked.
Storm walked up to Pinkie and tasted the blood, he recoiled. "Wow, that blood is just, wow, you need to cut back on the sugar." He said as he shook his head rapidly.
Pinkie felt Storm feel her forehead. "This isn't good." He said.
"What isn't good?" Pinkie asked.
Storm lifted Pinkie's chin to eye level with him. "Do you want it straight?" He asked.
Pinkie nodded. "Yes, that sounds good." She replied.
Storm sighed and stood up. "Your body is changing, it seems to be doing so at a rapid pace, it also seems to be rejecting your old blood and replacing it, at this rate you could end up completely different, or you will just end up with a different bone structure." He explained.
"Was it the barb?" She asked as she coughed up more blood.
Storm nodded silently. "I'm afraid so, I examined the barbs that Insanity spat at us and found that they could also end up changing personality's, like yours and even mine." He said sadly.
Pinkie looked up at Storm and started to cry. "So I could end up as somepony that was me but not me?" She asked.
Storm nodded again. "Yes, but they would have done it recently, for instance he would've had to hit you with one barb one day then again the next, did anything happen yesterday or last night before you woke up?" He asked.
Pinkie sniffled. "Yea, I had an odd dream last night." She replied sadly.
Storm kneeled in front of Pinkie and hugged her. "Then I am so sorry, there isn't anything I can do." He said sadly.
Pinkie let her emotions out and cried in Storm's shoulder. "I don't want to go, please don't make me leave." She pleaded.
Storm let her cry on him, while there wasn't anything he could do to cure Pinkie he could at least comfort her.
That night Pinkie had cried until she passed out and Storm had left her in her bed, Storm had kept watch that night as well to ensure that Pinkie would be safe.
____*Sugarcube corner 9:41 AM*_____
Storm's eyes flew open as he woke up, he looked around and saw no signs of entry to the bedroom, he looked over at Pinkie's bed and saw that she was sleeping, he smiled and walked out of the room quietly as to not wake the sleeping mare.
He quietly opened the bathroom door and walked inside, he stepped into the shower and turned it on, he sighed in pleasure as the water washed away the blood from last night.
Storm began to wonder on what he would do next, he had a feeling in his gut that he should make sure Pinkie was alright before he returned to his business, but now that he thought on it he realized he didn't have a lot to do anymore, now that he parted with his team he realized that he was running out of things to do.
He showered for a few more minutes before turning it off, he dried himself off and exited the bathroom, he quietly reentered Pinkie's room to wake her up but found that her bed was empty, Storm quickly activated his scanning eyes to find her, to his surprise Pinkie had found him and tackled him from behind.
"Ouch!" He yelled.
Storm expected to have to force Pinkie off of him but to his further shock instead of being attacked he was being hugged.
"Uh, Pinkie?, what are you doing?" Storm asked with confusion.
Pinkie let him go and stood up, she pulled Storm up.
Storm got a better look at Pinkie and noticed she was different then last night, Pinkie's coat was darker then before and her mane and tail were now flat and had a darker shade, Pinkie's mark was different then before as well, it was now that of three balloons with cracks in them, Pinkie's eyes had changed the most however, instead of a bright blue they were now a bright red.
"Wow, you changed." He said with genuine surprise.
Pinkie gave him a soft smile. "Yea, I can feel my personality changing however, I'm not sure I'll like the new me though." She replied.
Storm chuckled. "Well then, I guess I found something to do then, helping you adjust to the new you, but I think you'll need a new name though, Pinkie Pie is to happy for the new you I think." He suggested.
Pinkie nodded and walked out of the room and into the bathroom.
Storm followed his friend to find her looking in the mirror. "What's wrong?" He asked.
Pinkie sighed. "Is this really what I was frightened of becoming?, it isn't that bad is it?" She asked.
Storm shrugged. "I don't know, I don't judge on appearances anymore, haven't done that since I was seven, but I personally think it looks good on you." He replied.
Pinkie smiled lightly. "I think my old name would fit the new me." She said.
Storm raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?" He asked.
Pinkie looked at him. "My name." She paused.
She looked in the mirror and chuckled. "My name, is, Pinkamena Diane Pie." She said slowly.
Storm smiled. "Well then Pinkamena, shall we?" He said as he leaned against the wall.
Pinkamena nodded and walked out of the bathroom then down the stairs.
Storm followed Pinkamena down the stairs and watched as she walked up to the door.
Pinkamena looked outside and grinned. "I hope your ready for me Ponyville." She said happily.
Pinkamena walked through the market getting surprised gasps from the townspony's.
Storm walked with Pinkamena through the town, his reason had changed from helping her adjust, it was now to make sure she didn't do something stupid.
Pinkamena had noticed that she was being stared at, she pretended not to notice as she walked.
Storm was amazed, just a few minutes ago Pinkamena was confused as to what to do, but now she seemed completely calm and focused, it was exciting to him. "So what are you going to do now?" Storm asked calmly.
Pinkamena shrugged. "I guess try to find a way to cope, it seems like it will be much harder then I thought." She replied blankly.
Storm rolled his eyes. "I take it the no emotions bit is a side effect of the change?" He asked.
Pinkamena saw a group of Pegasi scream and take off into the air. "I guess, my physical changes are complete from what I can tell, I guess my mind and personality is what's changing now." She replied in the same tone.
Storm smirked. "I wonder what it will be like when it's complete." He wondered.
Pinkamena was confused about the reactions of the townspony's, as she walked she noticed mint green unicorn mare walk up to her, Storm and Pinkamena stopped walking.
"Pinkie are you alright?" The unicorn asked.
Pinkamena nodded. "Yea I'm fine Lyra, just decided to try something new." She lied.
Lyra sighed in relief. "Alright if you say so, if you see Fluttershy let her know I was looking for her." She replied.
Storm and Pinkamena continued to the library. "You lied to her." He said plainly.
Pinkamena sighed. "So what, you going to hold that against me?" She asked.
Storm shook his head. "No, but the fact remains, what happens if she finds out?" He countered.
Pinkamena shrugged. "If she finds out she finds out, I'm not going to panic about that." She replied.
Storm smirked and looked at Pinkamena. "Alright then, lets see what your friends think about the new you shall we?" He suggested.
Pinkamena rolled her eyes. "Why not?" She replied blankly.
_____*Golden Oaks library one minute later*______
Twilight was fumbling through her books looking for a way to make sense of Insanity's words.
"Why would the Elements of Harmony work with these, Elements of Chaos?" She had often asked herself.
Realization hit Twilight as she rushed to the history section, she pulled out all of the books that she never read which was about ten to fourteen.
"Ok, lets see, War of the griffins, Battle at Highmist peak, The war against Discord, that one sounds promising." Twilight said as she pulled The war against Discord out from the pile and began reading it.
The book went over many things but never mentioned the Elements of Chaos, Twilight sighed and closed the book, she then grabbed War of the griffins and began reading it.
Twilight read the book but found nothing in it either, she bit her lip when a thought came to her head.
"If I'm looking for the Elements of Chaos I might as well read up on Discord's history." she concluded.
Twilight began searching for the book on Discord's history, she had searched and searched but found nothing.
A knock came at the door breaking Twilight's concentration, she took a deep breath and walked up to the door and opened it.
At the door was a familiar sight but not one she was expecting to ever see again, Pinkie looked deflated like the day she though that her friends had forgotten her birthday, Twilight noticed that Storm was there as well and had a blank look on his face.
"Hey Twilight." Pinkie said blankly.
Storm just grunted and maintained a serious glare.
Twilight let a nervous chuckle out but let her friends in. "Um, Pinkie are you alright?" She asked.
Pinkie looked at her and nodded. "Yea I'm fine, I was just having a conversation with Storm about what I do now, I told him a good place to start would be to figure out how to cope." She replied blankly.
Storm let out a short laugh. "You should have seen the look on the locals faces, it was hilarious." He joked.
Twilight walked up to Pinkie and felt her forehead, it was surprisingly normal. "What happened?" She asked with concern.
Pinkie took a few steps away from Twilight and started to stretch. "Remember that barb?" She asked.
Twilight nodded. "Yea I remember." She replied.
Pinkie smiled softly. "Well that's the reason, I'm not sad at all, if anything my new personality is still developing." She said.
Storm unsheathed Demise and stared at it.
Twilight looked over at Storm and noticed the dagger. "What are you doing Storm?" She asked.
Storm broke out of his trance. "Just pondering, don't worry about it." He replied as he sheathed the dagger.
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Why do you carry that around?" She asked.
Storm chuckled. "I never go anywhere without Demise, I've learnt my lesson." He replied jokingly.
Pinkie walked over to the stairs that led to Twilight's room and sat down on the bottom step.
Twilight was concerned for her friend and walked over to her, she sat down next to her.
"Pinkie, what are you going to do after your personality develops?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie sighed. "I don't know, I'll figure it out when its done." She replied.
Storm blinked and looked around. 'Twilight really needs to get some new decor.' He told himself silently.
Pinkie stood up and walked over to the door. "I'm going to go find Applejack, see how she's doing, and Twilight." She paused.
Twilight looked at Pinkie. "Yes?" She asked.
Pinkie smiled softly. "My names Pinkamena." She replied as she left the library.
Storm shrugged and walked backwards towards the door. "See you Twilight, oh and by the way, Equestria is ignorant." He teased before rushing out of the library.
Twilight fumed with anger and screamed in frustration.
At that point Spike came running down the stairs with a scroll. "Twilight we have an urgent message from the Princess!" He said frantically.
Twilight's anger turned into panic. "What is it?" She asked quickly.
Spike opened the scroll and cleared his throat. "Dear Twilight Sparkle I write this with great concern as the Element of Laughter has been all but drained, I am sending a squad of royal guard to Ponyville but I require a report on the Element of Laughter's status, your mentor Princess Celestia." He recited.
Twilight's eyes widened and quickly grabbed a scroll and quill and gave them to Spike. "Write everything I say exactly on the scroll." She ordered.
Spike nodded and readied himself. "Ready." He replied.
Twilight took a deep breath. "Dear Princess Celestia, I have just recently spoken with Pinkie Pie and discovered that she has undergone a transformation, this transformation is not yet complete however and there is still hope to return her to normal, this has happened because of a being known as the Element of Insanity of the Elements of Chaos, your faithful student Twilight Sparkle." She replied.
Spike muttered the words as he wrote them, then he rolled up the scroll and sent the message. "Done." He stated.
Twilight sighed in relief. "Thank you Spike, now come on we need to get Pinki, Pinkamena here as fast as we can." She replied as she left the library.
Spike was just plain confused. "Who's Pinkamena?" He asked himself as he followed Twilight.
______*Sweet Apple Acres five minutes later*______
Pinkamena and Storm walked up to the apple farm. "You don't have to follow me you know." Pinkamena said.
Storm chuckled. "Someone needs to be around you right now, and I got nothing to do anyway." He replied as the pair headed to the farm.
Pinkamena stifled a laugh causing Storm to stop. "What's so funny?" He asked.
"The way your following me, it looks like we are a mother and son combo." She said as she held in her laughter.
Storm thought on it a moment before bursting into laughter. "That would be a sight wouldn't it, ah but no, I already know my birth parents." He replied.
Pinkamena started laughing as well for a few moments, after the two stopped laughing Pinkamena looked at Storm.
"So who were they?" She asked.
Storm raised an eyebrow. "Huh?" He replied.
Pinkamena sighed. "Your parents, who were they?" She asked.
Storm chuckled. "Well now, that's a good question, you see I have an, odd family to say the least, two mothers." He paused.
Pinkamena and Storm resumed walking. "My first mother is called Prowler, my other mother is called Vinyl Scratch, both biological." He continued.
Storm felt stupid for giving away their names but felt that Pinkamena could keep a secret. "Don't tell anyone." He finished.
Pinkamena nodded. "My lips are sealed, but I could swear that you mentioned you had a dad?" She asked.
Storm bit his lip. "Yea, Snow Drift, he was a great guy." He replied sadly.
Pinkamena mentally kicked herself. "Sorry." She apologized.
Storm shook his head. "Don't be, I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for all of the tragedy in my life, heh, listen to me, I'm talking like I'm dying." He joked.
Pinkamena couldn't help but feel sorry for her friend, he had suffered far too much for his age, but he didn't seem to show it, even though her mind was still developing she had to admit, Storm was tough, now she understood Storm's words from that party a few days ago, he suffered and he pushed on, it was admirable.
Pinkamena smiled as the pair walked through the farm. "I've got to wonder though, why does hide behind a mask?, what could be so bad that he hides?" She wondered.
As the pair walked through the farm in search of Applejack, the dark figure sat in an apple tree watching them.
"The time Is drawing near, soon they will begin their part of this tale." He said as he chuckled darkly.
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.
____*Outside Sugarcube corner two minutes later*____
Storm walked outside with Scootaloo right behind him. "What do you want Scoots?" He asked.
Scootaloo transformed into her tiger form and threw Storm to the ground. "What are you planning?" She demanded.
Storm chuckled as Scootaloo held a claw to his throat. "Go ahead, kill me, save me the trouble." He joked.
Scootaloo growled and held Storm by the throat. "Listen to me, I know you hate this place but that doesn't mean you can mess with its people." She stated.
Storm laughed roughly. "I did that the moment I got here, and even before that." He said sarcastically.
Scootaloo sighed in annoyance and dropped Storm. "Wherever your going I'm going with, whether you like it or not." She replied flatly.
Storm shrugged as he stood up. "Fine, see you at ten AM." He said in defeat.
Scootaloo transformed into her Pegasus form and flew off.
Storm mentally kicked himself for this, he really didn't want to bring Scootaloo along with him, he sighed and flew off towards the house.
As he flew Storm could hear Vengeance laughing at him. "You really cant fight her can you?" He asked mockingly.
Storm growled darkly at the entity's words. "Shut up." He snapped.
Vengeance just broke into more laughter. "You aren't as tough as you say." He taunted.
Storm instantly changed course to the Everfree forest. "What are you doing? we both know that nothing in that forest is a challenge for you." He asked.
"Its not that." Storm replied.
Storm laughed as he flew at blinding speed towards the forest, he grabbed a group of clouds and positioned them above the forest. "What are you doing anyway?" Vengeance asked.
With this Storm just grinned. "That sunbutt decided she wanted to hunt me like an animal, so I'm going to do something that shows her that she can kiss my ass." He explained as he kicked a cloud which turned orange and red, the cloud then ignited and started to drop fire into the forest. "Burn baby burn." He said maniacally.
Vengeance laughed evilly. "Oh yes, the incineration of her favorite forest, I wonder how she will handle this?" He pondered.
Storm watched as the fire spread like flies across the forest, he proceeded to kick the other clouds causing them to rain fire, he activated his scanning eyes and saw that there was a zebra attempting to put the fire out but was promptly crushed by a tree.
He couldn't care less at the moment, however there was one thing that concerned him, just barely within reach of his scanning eyes was a group of people watching the fire spread, he chuckled as they panicked and retreated towards the town.
Vengeance was now silent. "If you really want this forest to burn you might want to make sure they don't get near the forest with that water." He warned.
Storm felt alive but heeded Vengeance's warning. "Well then, lets keep them back shall we?" He said darkly.
Vengeance grinned, not that Storm could see it. "You want my help?" He asked.
Storm shook his head. "Nope, don't need it." He replied.
Vengeance chuckled. "Fine, let me know when you need a boost." He said.
Storm flew off in the direction of the town and immediately recognized six people. "Fuck." He swore.
Vengeance noticed it as well. "You got three options now bud, one you run, two you help them put the fire out, or three you fight them." He replied.
Storm slowed down. "How can I fight the Elements of Harmony?" He asked.
Vengeance chuckled. "Should have thought so, as the name suggests they need to be in sync with each other or their Harmony blast wont work, but it seems like there's only five of them." He replied.
Storm focused more and noticed that in the place of Pinkamena was Scootaloo. "Damnit." He swore again.
"The Elements of Harmony cant use their Harmony blast without all six so that removes that threat, but remember if they work together they get a massive power boost, they all have separate powers but only the Element of Loyalty seems to be able to use it." He continued.
Storm landed in front of the forest and waited for the six to arrive. "Lets show them what I can do then." He said confidently.
Vengeance prepared himself mentally. "Just tell me if you ever need a power boost, also make sure you take the Element of Magic out first." He advised.
Storm smirked evilly. "My pleasure." He replied.
As Storm prepared himself six mares came into view, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Dash and Scootaloo.
"Hey guys! you like what I've done with the place?" He asked darkly.
All six of them had a look of shock on their faces but Scootaloo held it back better then the others. "YOU DID THIS?!" Twilight shouted over the flames.
Storm made a mock bow before unsheathing Demise. "Who else would do something like this?" He questioned.
Twilight and the others had rage all over their faces, Scootaloo was the first to move however, she transformed and got into a battle stance.
Storm laughed. "You cant beat me alone Scoots, the only reason you did so well against me when I was a wolf is because he doesn't use his brain." He stated.
Scootaloo's face went blank as she slowly advanced.
Dash cursed under her breath and flew forward as Scootaloo charged, Twilight and the others shared a look before charging.
Storm yawned as Scootaloo swiped him with her claw only to see him dodge it, Dash flew directly at Storm intending to ram him only for him to duck and kick her away.
Twilight and Rarity charged up their horns and fired a volley of magic.
Applejack went to double kick Storm but he just jumped.
Storm laughed as he activated his runes causing the magic to just bounce right off him, he then flew at blinding speed and rammed Rarity then he hit Twilight with an uppercut.
"You six are weak, apparently the only reason I can see that your opponents would ever be defeated by you is if they stand still." He taunted all the while dodging attacks from his remaining opponents.
Storm noticed that Fluttershy hadn't moved but knew that she had her own weapon, something called, the stare? he ignored that thought and slashed Dash with Demise.
"Don't bother fighting me Dash, just let the flames do their job." He warned.
Dash and Scootaloo looked at each other and nodded before charging, Scootaloo by land Dash by air.
Storm sighed as Applejack attacked from behind, he smirked and stood still as Applejack double kicked him.
Applejack kicked Storm but quickly knew something was wrong. "What in tarnation!" She shouted as Storm just absorbed the entire blow, he hadn't even moved.
Storm laughed before looking up at the moon. "Ah well what do you know, time for some fun." He said while looking at the moon.
Scootaloo and Dash stopped their charge and looked up, their expressions went from rage to fear, it was a full moon.
Storm quickly kicked Applejack with unnatural strength and punched Dash sending her flying then he threw Scootaloo into Fluttershy all within four seconds.
"Hmm, I guess I can hold off most of the transformation, if only that I'll have my mind." He said sarcastically.
Storm screamed in pain all of a sudden as the transformation began, his hooves became claws, his fur thickened and his teeth became much sharper, his eyes also changed but they were now entirely dark blood red.
Scootaloo got off of Fluttershy and watched as Storm changed.
Dash and Applejack both recovered and watched as Storm became a werewolf, again. "Applejack!, RUN WE CAN'T WIN THIS FIGHT!" She warned.
Applejack apparently didn't hear as she just charged in again.
Dash cursed under her breath as she began to glow red and black again, she flew at Storm.
Scootaloo looked at Fluttershy who seemed to be in shock, but what happened next shocked Scootaloo, Fluttershy stood up and slowly advanced on Storm, Scootaloo did the same.
Storm stopped screaming as the transformation stopped, he stood up on his back legs and noticed that he still had wings, he smirked and moved at a speed that was maddening and reappeared behind Applejack.
"Surprise." He said darkly, Storm drove his claw right into Applejack's back before throwing her towards Twilight and Rarity who were unconscious.
Storm watched as his three remaining opponents despaired for a moment. "COME ON DASH, WHERES YOUR FIRE!" He taunted.
Dash knew what he wanted her to do, but she couldn't risk it. "I'm no fool Storm." She countered.
Scootaloo was unsure now, last time she fought Storm he seemed so much slower, but now he seemed unstoppable, Fluttershy trembled but began to have a yellow glow form around her, the normally timid mare shouted and charged at an unnatural speed.
Storm awed at the mares speed, but he soon chuckled and moved faster then the mare, he grabbed Demise and threw it at blinding speed at Fluttershy.
Fluttershy gasped as the dagger flew at her but couldn't stop in time, she jumped and the dagger lodged itself in her leg.
Storm laughed manically. "Come on Dash!, fight me!" He demanded.
Dash flew up to Scootaloo and held her back protectively. "Don't, let me handle Storm, you go tend to Fluttershy and the others, I got this." She ordered.
Scootaloo gave Dash a look of disbelief but reluctantly nodded and ran towards Fluttershy.
Storm retrieved Demise from Fluttershy's leg and walked away from the mare, he looked at Dash and grinned mockingly.
Dash growled at Storm before flying at full speed, Storm sheathed Demise and charged.
Scootaloo kneeled down next to Fluttershy and put her claw over the wound to stop the bleeding. "Put pressure on the wound." She ordered.
Fluttershy bit her lip and looked over at Dash and Storm. "Will she be alright?" Fluttershy asked.
Scootaloo nodded. "Dash will be fine, for now we need to stop the bleeding." She replied.
Fluttershy's face went pale. "Applejack!, go help her!" She said fearfully.
Scootaloo complied and rushed over to Applejack who was unconscious.
Storm and Dash charged at each other with unnatural speed, Dash suddenly stopped flying and landed and she glowed brighter then before, she jumped and kicked the ground with her rear hoof.
Seeing what Dash was doing Storm jumped high and flew upwards. "Come and get me!" He taunted.
Storm knew that Dash was trying to make a decision, if she was smart she wouldn't follow him, if not, well she would regret it.
Dash was tempted to just follow him, but she decided against it, she simply watched him as the forest burned fiercely. "I swear, if he comes back, he's a dead man." She vowed.
Scootaloo looked over at Dash and saw that she was staring off in the distance. "Dash?" She said worryingly.
Dash looked at Scootaloo with concern. "Are they ok?" She asked.
Scootaloo nodded and stood up. "Yea, Twilight and Rarity are just unconscious, Applejack stopped bleeding and Fluttershy is fine, what about you?" She replied.
Dash looked at the sky and growled. "I'm fine, but if Storm comes back he is dead." She stated fiercely.
_____*Rainbow Dash's cloud house 8:40 AM*_____
Storm shot up and was breathing heavily. "Just a dream, just a dream." He repeated.
Vengeance groaned. "Did you have to wake up?" He asked with disappointment.
Storm looked around and saw that he was in his room, he sighed in relief and leaned back on the bed.
"I personally am glad that didn't happen, otherwise that would have been horrible." He countered.
Vengeance sighed. "I guess your right, I'm not quite ready to announce myself yet." He replied.
Storm got off of the bed and stood up. "Might as well get Pinkamena and head to the company, the quicker the better." He said.
Vengeance laughed. "Then you might want to take all of your weapons with you, we don't want them to fall into the wrong hands." He suggested.
Storm nodded and walked up to his weapons cabinet, he opened the cabinet and took his wing blades and grenade launcher, he equipped them and walked towards the door.
"So what will you do if the temple doesn't help?" Vengeance asked.
Storm chuckled. "What I always do, I find a way to lighten the mood." He replied while walking into the bathroom.
After a brief bathroom break, Storm walked downstairs and into the kitchen, he noticed that nobody was awake yet and stifled a laugh. "What is it?" Vengeance asked.
Storm opened the fridge and pulled out his concoction. "Scoots said she wanted to come with me but she isn't even awake." He replied.
Vengeance burst into laughter at this. "OW!, ok Vengeance, I know that no one can hear you, but keep it down." He snapped mentally.
Storm sighed as Vengeance continued to laugh. "Ugh, here comes unending headaches." He toasted silently as he drank a shot of his concoction.
____*Company meeting point 9:58 AM*____
Storm walked up to the hill with Scootaloo and Pinkamena who had reluctantly come with. "So, remind me why I'm coming?" Pinkamena asked.
Scootaloo snickered as Storm sighed. "Because I think that we can find a way to restore you to normal." Storm replied.
Pinkamena gave him a look of disbelief. "You mean bring Pinkie back right?" She said venomously.
Storm sighed again and smacked himself. "No, I mean, ugh, if this trip goes well you and Pinkie can coexist." He replied as if it was obvious.
Scootaloo laughed softly. "I don't buy it." She said.
Pinkamena chuckled. "Me neither." She agreed.
Storm groaned. "I'm doomed." He concluded.
The trio reached the hill to see that two battalions worth of people were there.
"This is one big company." Storm said.
Pinkamena and Scootaloo nodded in agreement. "Stay close." Storm ordered.
The trio walked through the company and saw some peculiar faces, there were Griffins and Changelings, an assortment of Pegasi Unicorns and Earth pony's, Storm smiled. "Ah, this brings back fond memories." He said excitedly.
Scootaloo chuckled. "What, being part of a company?" She asked.
Storm shook his head. "No, being with an array of other species, this should be interesting." He replied.
Scootaloo put her claws behind her head and started walking, she noticed that she was getting some looks from some of the other company members.
Storm rolled his eyes and continued walking. "Come on, we need to find Cosmo." He said.
Pinkamena gave Storm a look. "Who?" She asked.
Storm grinned. "A member of the company, she can give us directions." He replied.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes and followed Storm, Pinkamena sighed and followed Storm.
Pinkamena looked around and saw that she was getting a bunch of mixed reactions along with Storm.
"This is going to be a long journey isn't it?" She asked.
Storm simply nodded as he scanned the area for Cosmo, however his dream from last night troubled him greatly, even though he new it was a dream it still hit a nerve. "I'll never just snap." He said quietly.
Scootaloo looked at Storm and raised an eyebrow, he was acting strange today, normally he's sarcastic and odd, but now he was unnaturally quiet, and the way he acted earlier, it was like he was apologizing for something. "Storm, what's eating you?" She asked.
Storm shrugged. "Nothing, just stay close." He replied.
The trio finally found Cosmo and had gotten signed on, afterwards they met up in the only quiet place they could find near the camp.
Storm sat down. "Alright, we need a way to tell if its each other." He said.
Scootaloo and Pinkamena both sat down. "What do you mean?" They asked.
Storm sighed. "Look, I'll be able to tell if either of you are shapeshifters, but you don't, so we need a way to find out." He replied.
Pinkamena looked at the sky in thought while Scootaloo closed her eyes.
Storm smiled and drew Demise and stuck it In the ground. "Well, I have an idea, the way to tell if its us can be this, the name of my dagger." He suggested.
Scootaloo and Pinkamena nodded and the trio stood up and walked towards the camp, Storm smirked as a figure silently followed them.
_____*three hours later western plains.*_____
Storm was in the middle of the company, along the way he had dealt with a group of idiots who thought that they could bully him, they soon ended up tied to the carts.
Scootaloo was on the side of the company, she hadn't gotten into any fights but was getting annoyed by the constant flirting by some of the other company members.
Pinkamena was at the rear of the company, she was being avoided actively by the her fellow company members.
They were divided into five groups, although it was only for organization they had no specific order.
Storm continued walking as he noticed he was being watched, he knew it would be best to avoid a scene so he simply changed his eyes to green.
_____*Two hours later*_____
The company had stopped to rest for a while, Storm had taken advantage of this entirely. "I should have gone before I left." He repeated.
Storm had been saying the same word for an entire minute, he could not find Pinkamena and Scootaloo but he knew they could take care of themselves, he grinned and walked over to a nearby tree and leaned against it, he unsheathed his dagger and looked at it, the dagger looked much different from Demise which had a jagged curve to it, this dagger had a demonic edge to it, he had named the dagger Pain due to its design.
He held Pain with reluctance, he hadn't wanted to bring this dagger but he knew it was better this way, at least this way he didn't risk Dash finding it.
Storm sighed and sheathed Pain. "Not unless I'm desperate." He swore.
A laugh came from behind Storm and he jumped to his feet and drew Demise. "You don't call, you don't write, what kind of person does that?" Came a familiar voice.
A unicorn came out from behind the tree and grinned at Storm who gasped. "Surprised to see me?" The unicorn asked.
Storm sheathed Demise and chuckled. "Been a while." He paused.
He held his breath for a moment before smirking. "Mom." He finished.
Storm opened his eyes and sat up. "Ugh, I gotta stop drinking." He said to himself.
He looked around and saw that the company was preparing to move out. "Oh great." He said with annoyance.
Storm walked over to the rest of the company and noticed that Scootaloo and Pinkamena were helping to load the supplies. "And they're my partners." He said with annoyance.
One of the company members looked over at Storm and waved, it was a white unicorn mare with a blue mane and teal streak, Storm walked over and grinned at her. "What kept ya mom?" He asked teasingly.
Vinyl rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Couldn't find you." She replied.
Storm raised an eyebrow. "How could you not? there's only one city and one town in this land I go to, you know I have a feeling that you were looking for Daring." He teased.
Vinyl blushed and scratched the back of her head. "Shut up wolf boy." She countered.
Storm pretended to be hurt and he held the spot his heart was at mockingly. "You wound me." He said dramatically.
Vinyl laughed. "Yea right." She replied in a happy tone.
Storm hovered lightly in the air and crossed his arms. "So how's your eye powers developing?" He asked.
Vinyl closed both her eyes and after a few moments opened them revealing one discolored blood red eye and one forest green eye making Storm grin widely. "That's what I'm talking about." He said happily.
"And how's the shadow energy coming along?" She asked.
Storm grinned and after a few seconds his wings had a thin black layer of mist around them. "Quite well actually." He replied.
Vinyl sighed as Storm landed and she shook his head rapidly. "What have I told you about suppressing your emotions!" She shouted.
Storm started to feel dizzy. "Aaaaaaaaa, Not to do it!" He said with his voice wobbling.
Vinyl stopped shaking Storm's head and smiled. "Good." She said before walking away.
Storm watched as Vinyl walked away and held his head. "Why me?" He whimpered making a dog cry as well.
This made Storm groan. "I hate my canine traits sometimes." He said quietly.
Storm walked to the company and started to help with the supplies when he noticed Scootaloo and Pinkamena talking with a Griffin. "Griffins." He said with hatred plain in his voice.
_____*three hours later outside the Brownseed woods.*_____
Scootaloo walked with the caravan as they approached the Brownseed woods.
Pinkamena was pulling one of the carts, while she did admit it was heavy she still pulled it.
Vinyl was walking next to Storm with a serious look on her face. "How did I get stuck with guard duty? She asked herself.
Storm hovered alongside Vinyl with a thoughtful look on his face. "What's wrong big guy? having second thoughts?" Vengeance asked teasingly.
"Shut up Vengeance." He said quietly.
Vinyl looked at her son and noticed something off about him. "Hey, you alright?" She asked.
Storm chuckled. "Just fine, don't worry." He replied.
Vinyl did not believe him but returned to her work nonetheless.
Storm bit his lip. "How dare you! lying to your own mother, that's just wrong." Vengeance teased.
"Vengeance I swear, if you don't shut the hell up I'll stab you out of my skull!" He swore quietly.
Vinyl looked at Storm with concern. "He's been talking to himself a lot lately, what happened to him?" She asked herself silently.
The company came to halt and Pinkamena sighed in relief as she could take a break.
Scootaloo walked up to Storm and Vinyl. "Storm, you might want to be careful tonight." She said.
Storm raised an eyebrow. "Why?" He asked.
Scootaloo took a deep breath and let it out. "Well, tonight is full and you have that 'thing' that happens." She said with avoidance which caused Storm to burst out laughing.
"That's your attempt to hide my secret?" He said jokingly.
Scootaloo promptly smacked him. "Shut up." She ordered.
Storm held his arms up in defeat. "Fine but still, oh and by the way Scoots, I got someone to introduce you to." He said.
Scootaloo looked at Vinyl and vice versa. "Don't believe we've met." She said.
Vinyl nodded and Storm rubbed the back of his head. "Vinyl this is Scootaloo, Scootaloo this is Vinyl." He said.
Scootaloo smirked and looked at Storm. "I thought you said you hated unicorns?" She asked.
Storm laughed nervously as he received some looks from some of the unicorns in the company. "Well thanks for sharing that in the open, but yes." He admitted shamefully.
Scootaloo slapped him across the face. "Weren't you the anti-racism guy?" She asked accusingly.
Storm scoffed. "Shut up, I only like two of the unicorns that I know." He replied sarcastically.
This time Vinyl shot him with a low power magic blast. "And they are?" She asked semi-innocently.
Storm's eyes widened and he groaned and smacked himself. "You and Lyra." He replied.
Pinkamena was listening in on the conversation as she had the urge to do so.
Vinyl smiled happily at this. "Good, now lets go." She said.
Scootaloo stifled a laugh at the sight of Storm acting scared. "You look hilarious!" She said teasingly.
Storm let out a mock laugh. "You haven't seen her angry have you?" He replied.
Scootaloo shook her head. "No I haven't but since your all powerful you shouldn't have to worry about it." She teased.
Storm gulped. "If she wasn't my mother that would be true." He replied shamefully before smacking himself on the face in realization of what he just said.
Scootaloo couldn't help but burst into laughter. "That makes it even better!" She said between breaths.
Storm shuddered and flew up to a cloud and landed, he made sure he was alone and he reverted his eyes to their normal purple color, Storm pulled out Pain and let a tear out. "I'll never let it happen again, not while I can help it." He swore.
Storm stared at the demonic dagger so intently that he didn't notice someone coming up behind him. Storm then pulled Demise out and held the two in an x pattern. "I hope I never become that desperate." He said to himself as he sheathed the daggers.
As soon as Storm stood up on the cloud he was immediately knocked down and through the cloud.
Storm growled and his left eye became forest green while the other became a discolored dark blood red and he quickly recovered from the hit.
Through his scanning eye Storm could tell that there were 2 pegasi one changeling and one griffin which made Storm smirk.
"Four against one? that's not fair." He said mockingly as he stared down the circling group.
The griffin however noticed Storm's blades and got a better look of his face and grinned evilly. "Oh this is to perfect! guys! we could get a nice reward for handing the kid in at Griffonia." He said darkly.
Storm shook his head while chuckling. "Come on, lets not get violent." He said quietly.
The two pegasi of the thugs group were far to happy to circle Storm like vultures. "What's wrong kid? to scared for a fight? a shame, you'd think that the supposed killer of Snowmist would flee from a fight, such a disappointment." One of them said.
Now the other Pegasus spoke. "I think that rumor that he killed a thousand griffin's was exaggerated, he couldn't even dodge my attack earlier." The Pegasus boasted.
Storm simply remained silent as the thugs circled him, he simply grinned at their weak taunts. "Is that all?" He asked.
The changeling sighed and rubbed his or her eyes. "Guys we should just go." The changeling said.
Storm shrugged and released the sheath on Demise and drew it. "You should listen to your shapeshifting friend, if not, well at least I got a new portrait for my wall." He said maniacally.
The changeling promptly fled. "COWARD!" The griffin yelled.
Storm grinned. "I knew your species was thick but, you know what I'm going to do you a favor and kill you." He threatened while clutching Demise tightly in his hoof.
The three remaining thugs instantly attacked immediately after Storm threatened them, the griffin attacked with his claws, one of the pegasi thugs attacked with an unusual method of fighting which was the dive bomb approach while the other Pegasus used kicks.
Storm rolled his eyes and closed them, in an instant he flew at the dive bombing Pegasus and stuck Demise in the Pegasus' head before turning his attention on the griffin all the while dodging the attacks.
The griffin and Pegasus had combined their attacks in an attempt to throw Storm off balance but seeing as Storm simply yawned while dodging made them rethink their attacks.
Storm smirked and flew at high speed towards the griffin who looked ready to dodge but quickly changed course and slashed the pegasus' throat.
The griffin made one last attempt to attack Storm but found himself falling and unable to move.
Storm's eyes widened but his expression lightened and he sheathed Demise. "Been a while." He said calmly but with a happier tone.
Standing on a cloud was a yellow Pegasus mare with a pink mane and a flame bee mark and had soft blue eyes, the mare also had a pair of brown saddlebags on her back.
Storm flew to a nearby cloud and landed on it and he folded his wings. "I had that under control you know." He said in mock annoyance.
The mare chuckled. "I know, but you were taking to long so I helped you." She replied.
Storm rolled his eyes. "Yea, although we'll probably get blamed for that right? not that you care eh Quartz?" He asked calmly.
Quartz smiled and shrugged. "Probably, I took that guy's nerves out entirely." She replied.
Storm chuckled. "Alright, but seriously Quartz, what ARE you doing here?" He asked in a serious tone.
Quartz gained a grim look on her face as she stared at Storm. "I have bad news Storm, VERY bad news." She replied grimly.
Storm watched as Quartz pulled a small box out of her bags and throw it at him, Storm caught it and looked at Quartz who nodded.
Storm's eyes widened and he gasped at the appearance of the box, it was black with a gray top and bottom and a skull as the lock, Storm put his hoof to the skull and muttered some words which caused a click to come from the box.
Quartz flew up to Storm up looked inside the box, the contents of the box was a letter an orange rock and two short white stems.
"Quartz, don't you dare tell me that this is what I think it is!" Storm warned with a rising voice.
Storm was fuming at the moment. how dare she just bring THAT here, and now of all times!
Quartz poked Storm's side with her hoof and Storm just stopped what he was doing and looked at her with a questioning look.
"Quartz, what are you doing?" Storm asked.
The mare clearly paid Storm no mind and continued to poke him.
After a few moments Quartz poked Storm's wing muscle and Storm just stopped moving entirely.
Quartz looked at Storm's frozen expression and suddenly realized what had happened. "Oh my-I am so sorry!" She said in a panic and quickly repeated her previous action causing the young Pegasus to jump away from Quartz.
"Never do that again." He ordered.
Storm then walked back to the box that he had dropped and read the letter.
The letter read. Greetings assassin, if you are reading this then you must already know, your leader is dead and your team is dying, and it is with this that I leave you with these items, you know what to do.
Storm gritted his teeth and looked at Quartz. "Who's still alive?" He asked darkly.
Quartz sighed and bit her lip. "You me and Partial." She replied sadly.
Storm let out a low growl and he hovered above Quartz. "Where is Partial?" He asked.
Quartz pointed below the clouds. "Down there somewhere." She replied.
Storm nodded and assembled the boxes contents. "Get him and I'll find you later." He ordered.
Quartz gave him a look of disbelief. "Storm are you blind? someone is hunting our team!" She stated in a raised voice.
Storm sighed. "Then keep quiet, do you want them to find you?" He asked before flying off.
Quartz winced as Storm flew down to the company. "I wish he would listen." She said before following.
_______*Later that day company camp site 10:52 PM*________
Scootaloo walked into the large tent that she was sleeping in for the night, it also strangely smelled like asparagus, she sat down in the middle of the tent and pulled her backpack off her back then pulled a small capsule out of it.
I really hate this stuff. She said in her mind before putting the capsule in her mouth.
Just then Storm entered the room and he soon had a panicked look on his face.
"Uh oh." Storm said before smacking himself in the face.
Scootaloo raised an eyebrow at this and scratched the back of her head with her claw. "I don't like that 'uh oh' what's wrong?" She asked.
Storm laughed nervously. "Your going to have an odd dream." He said simply.
Scootaloo gave Storm a confused look. "Huh?" She asked.
Storm whistled and backed up slowly. "That pill you took, its hallucinogenic." He replied nervously.
Scootaloo gagged as she attempted to get the pill out but it was futile.
"Scoots just stop trying to get it out, I've already attempted it, besides its not that bad." Storm said sarcastically.
Scootaloo gave him an evil glare and growled. "When I wake up your dead." She replied darkly.
Storm quickly left the tent while laughing.
Scootaloo laid down and sighed. "Lets get this over with." She said as she slowly fell into unconsciousness.
_______*Scootaloo's dream*_______
The world was fuzzy in Scootaloo's vision, fuzzy and bright.
Scootaloo stood up and looked around, she was in Ponyville park and was currently in her tiger form. "Might as well find out what's going on." She said as she started to walk towards the pond.
Soon enough the world was filled with pony's but two in particular stood out, an Earth pony and a Pegasus, both of which Scootaloo was travelling with, so she decided to go greet them but soon discovered something odd, a nearby unicorn walked right through her and didn't say a word.
"Watch it jerk!" She snapped as the unicorn walked away and fazed out of reality.
Scootaloo looked back at Storm and Pinkamena and was instantly confused.
"What the fu?...." She swore.
The sight before Scootaloo's eyes was a strange one, Pinkamena was floating and spinning in circles while Storm was having a nervous breakdown.... or he was just running through the water up the trees and completely upside down.
Storm was walking alongside Cosmo through the camp with an irritated expression on his face, it had been two weeks since the reunion with Quartz and Partial and what they had said left Storm in a bad mood.
Apparently a few days after the remains of the Ritual squad returned home to Blade Gorge... Jagged was found dead in the streets with knife wounds.
Two days later Warp disappeared mysteriously and left no trace except for a faint trail of blood.
The box that Storm had received was part of an old protocol, one that was meant to wipe the memories of the time of said squad.
"You know what.... Fuck protocol." Storm had said much to the shock of his squad mates.
And so Storm walks alongside Cosmo as they discuss some subjects.
"And since we have an extra two months we can go mining, it should increase the payload, especially since we don't have enough to pay the entire company." Cosmo said.
Storm nodded and suddenly he had the urge to make a pun, so he looked at Cosmo and grinned.
Cosmo looked at Storm in confusion and the two stopped walking. "Why are you staring at me like that?" She asked.
Storm began hovering around her and he wrapped his arms around her neck and grinned before putting on a completely robotic expression and Spouting random nonsense.
Cosmo was confused to say the least. "What the buck was that?" She asked with concern.
Storm shrugged and flew off to meet with Scootaloo and Pinkamena.
______*two days later 6:19 PM*______
Storm walked through the camp with a wary expression... And for good reason as the company started to hate him.
He walked towards his tent when he heard something...he listened closer and recognized it as fighting.
Thinking quickly Storm moved to investigate while changing to his scanning eyes.
Storm turned a corner and noticed four unicorns ganging up on one unicorn mare, normally Storm wouldn't care but even 'he' had lines that shouldn't be crossed.
Against his better judgement Storm activated his anti-magic runes and moved at lightning speed towards one of the unicorns when they knocked the mare down.
Time seemed to move in slow motion for Storm as he jammed Demise into one of the unicorns necks and charged for the next.
The remaining unicorns noticed Storm and opened fire on him to little effect.
Storm laughed briefly before snapping the next unicorns neck and throwing Demise with deadly accuracy into the thirds skull.
The final unicorn was sweating profusely and quickly decided to retreat, but Storm snapped his head before he got far.
Storm looked at the unicorn mare and got a better look at her after deactivating his runes.
The mare had a light blue coat along with a light blue mane with a shade of silver along with a wand and hat mark and magenta eyes.
Storm watched as the mare shakily stood up and soon the mare looked at Storm with a look of rage.
"The great and powerful Trixe does NOT need help!" She shouted sloppily.
Storm gave her a smirk. "Didn't look like it." He replied simply.
The mare known as Trixe shakily leaned against a nearby wagon. "Trixe will not be patronized by a foal!" She said angrily but this only served to amuse Storm as he burst out laughing.
After a while Storm calmed himself down to a reasonable amount. "I wasn't patronizing you, i was telling the truth." He replied calmly.
Trixe growled a bit and gave Storm an evil glare. "Do not use Trixe's words against her!" She shouted.
Storm sighed and returned one eye to his preferred red. "Your shouting again, also knock it off with that third person crap, it's annoying." He replied calmly.
Trixe's face slowly calmed down to an annoyed expression. "Trixe will speak in third person if she likes." She replied blankly.
Storm merely shrugged and looked around at the bodies which now littered the ground. "Sorry about the mess." He said sarcastically.
Trixe looked around and nearly vomited at the sight of the dead unicorns but managed to hold it in much to her displeasure.
Storm sighed and walked over to a nearby wall and leaned on it. "Alright I better leave before someone shows up." He said calmly as he walked away from the area.
Trixe huffed and walked away. 'That foal.... Who does he think he is?'
________*one hour later Storm's tent*________
Storm was currently alone in his tent while Vinyl.....did whatever it was while she wasn't trading mock insults with him, since Storm was alone he had the freedom to do some stuff that he never had time for.
Right now he was standing upside down with one hoof while reading a book. "I don't see what the big del is about a clock." He said plainly.
"Maybe that's because the clock could destroy the world." Came a voice causing Storm to flinch slightly.
Storm sighed and looked to see who it was and unsurprisingly it was Vinyl. "Mom." He said with a half dead voice.
Vinyl sighed and sat down next to him. "You know, if your going to do that you should at least focus on one thing at a time." She said simply.
Storm blinked. "True, but at least this way I can find out what happens." He joked.
Vinyl chuckled at the remark and swiped the book from Storm causing him to fall over. "Hah I still got it!" She teases.
Storm muttered a few words and stood up. "Yes I bet you feel very proud of yourself for causing a kid to fall over." He sarcastically countered.
Vinyl grinned and gave Storm a playful smack on the shoulder. "Ah your still a kid, you should be enjoying your childhood.....ah who am I kidding?" She asked in mock confusion.
Storm rolled his eyes and sat down on the ground. "To me this is a childhood, then again I'm not exactly normal." He said quietly.
Vinyl nodded and ruffled Storm's hair causing him to snap his head back like a dog. "Yep your weird." She teased.
Storm sighed and slapped himself. "Your one to talk miss blind every five months, and it's not like I can help it....stupid dog habits." He cursed.
Vinyl nodded again and returned to sitting quietly while reading the stolen book. "So how far are you?" She asked randomly.
Storm shrugged. "Chapter thirty." He replied calmly.
Vinyl grinned and put the book between them. "Good we're at the same spot then." She said as she continued reading.
Storm sighed and began reading with Vinyl throughout the night with no one there but themselves.
"Mom." Storm said.
Vinyl looked at Storm. "Yea?" She asked.
Storm gave her a blank look.
"Your going to kill me." He said darkly.
Flashback, Old times: Story in the cold..... the plot thickens in the present.
Vinyl's eyes widened. "Why the hell would I do that!" She snapped.
Storm blinked and shook his head. "Do what?" He asked in confusion.
Vinyl gave him a glare. "Don't play dumb, you know what I'm talking about." She deadpanned.
Storm stood up and so did Vinyl. "Mom, what the devil are you babbling about?" He asked.
Vinyl growled and marched over to Storm and stared him down. "Do you think I'm dumb?, you specifically told me, that I was going to kill you!" She said angrily.
Storm sighed. "Mom, use your scanning eyes, and you'll see that I honestly don't know what your talking about." He replied.
Vinyl gave him a glare but did as he said and her eyes switched color, they changed from red to forest green and then to sapphire blue.
Storm repeated his sentence and Vinyl sighed and closed her eyes. "I think you had another one of those weird prophetic moments." She said.
Storm gave her a serious look. "You do remember that we stopped those right?" He replied
Vinyl nodded. "I know, but you still did." She insisted.
Storm rolled his eyes and they changed to forest green. "Great, good to know that you'll end up killing me." He joked.
Vinyl chuckled. "Yea, at least by then we should be able to find a way for that to NOT happen." She said calmly.
Storm sat down and opened the book. "Come on, let's finish the book." He suggested.
Vinyl nodded and sat down next to him and began to read.
The rest of the night continued like this, reading a good book, sharing the occasional laugh, and just plain enjoying the night.
_______*The next day 8:32 AM*_______
Pinkamena walked out of her tent and towards her post, which was a spot near the edge of the company where she would be doing cleanup until somepony else came to take over for a while.
Scootaloo groggily exited the tent and yawned, she soon followed Pinkamena who was making her way to her post.
"Ugh, this is going to be a long day." Scootaloo grumbled.
_____*Storm's tent five minutes later*_____
Storm groaned and rubbed his forehead. "Why me?" He complained in a groggy voice.
A chuckle came from next to him and he opened his eyes to investigate, to no surprise it was Vinyl.
Vinyl was standing above Storm who was currently in a very awkward position. "Come on slowpoke, or we'll be late." She said.
Storm groaned and flipped to face the ground. "Ten more minutes." He replied groggily.
Vinyl gave a mischievous grin and lit her horn and Storm was enveloped In a magenta aura, his head snapped up and he gave off a death glare. "What are you doing?" He asked.
Vinyl smirked and she cast a spell and soon Storm's coat changed into a dull gray and very soon he looked like he was drained.
Storm groaned. "Damnit." He felt Vinyl release the spell and he stood up.
Vinyl backed up and stood at the entrance. "Next time you better think before ignoring a unicorn with the right spells." She suggested.
Storm sighed and examined himself until he realized it wasn't an illusion. "Great.....at least it's only an appearance, going to get hell from Scoots though." He stated calmly.
Vinyl rolled her eyes and left the tent.
Storm let a brief smile cross his face before adopting his usual cold expression.
'She reminds me so much of Sift......those were the days.'
______*Blade Gorge/Stalliongrad streets*______
Storm walked with his fellow teammates through the cold streets of the south side underworld, not the best place to be but they did not care.
The group consisted of five members currently, Storm himself, his partner Sift, his rival Warp, his friend Quartz, and his other friend Partial.
Quartz and Warp we're currently discussing something about chess while Partial stared off into the distance.
Storm looked at Sift with a sad look as she grunted with every step occasionally.
Sift look at Storm and sighed. "For the last time Storm, I'm fine and you don't have to keep staring at me like I'm dead." She said in a rehearsed tone.
Storm bit his lip but did not question his partner. "Well I can't help it, I did almost kill you." He replied calmly.
Sift rolled her eyes. "Yeah, almost, I've told you that twenty times." She countered casually.
Warp and the others noticed this and they each sighed. "What's the problem Huh? the mighty Storm brought down by a little of conflicted emotions?" She teased.
Storm growled and slowly made for his dagger. "Don't test me Warp." He warned.
Partial and Quartz shook their heads and continued walking.
Warp shrugged and walked past Storm who just gave a death glare.
Sift walked in front of Storm's view and just shook her head. "Storm, knock it off." She warned.
Storm just grunted and walked around his partner and followed the group with Sift behind him.
A breeze blew through the air and Storm held his hoof over his eyes to block the wind from blinding him, he had learnt his lesson about that.
As the group silently walked through the cold streets they had received many glares from the occasional passerby and civilian, they were certainly an odd group, it's not everyday that you see one Pegasus mare, one earth pony mare, one earth pony stallion, one Pegasus filly, and one Pegasus colt, all clad in combat armor.
Storm huffed and looked up at the sky as he walked, he activated his scanning eyes and grinned for no apparent reason.
Sift looked at Storm and gave a soft smile, while he wasn't perfect, Storm did have a good heart....once you got past the many layers of sarcasm.
______*Kahn's bar, ten minutes later*_____
Storm laughed as his partner moved the drinks from multiple cups with her magic making many of the patrons confused and shocked.
Sift grinned as she made the liquid go from cup to cup and mug from mug throughout the bar. "This is way too easy." She whispered to Storm.
Warp, Quartz and Partial stifled a laugh as one earth pony stallion fell off his seat while trying to keep the liquid in his cup.
Storm rolled his eyes at his partners antics. "Knock it off Sift." Came a commanding voice.
Sift looked behind herself and saw two familiar stallions. "Good to see you up and about Sift." Said one of the stallions
"Sure does feel good to be out of that infirmary." Sift replied.
Storm chuckled and closed his eyes. "Good to see ya Commander." He said sarcastically.
Crack Shot smirked. "I see your still a prick." He countered.
Storm shook his head and opened his eyes to reveal them in their discolored blood red form.
Crack Shot and Jagged Edge walked over and sat down at the table, Crack Shot looked at Storm and passed him a closed letter.
Storm raised an eyebrow. "What's this?" He asked.
Crack Shot leaned back on his chair and glared at him. "Read it." He ordered.
Storm sighed but opened the letter as he was told and read it.
'Hey Wolf boy, I wanted to let you know that I found what you were looking for, I'll meet you at the place we set up, oh and uh, I have your money.'
Storm crumpled the letter and looked at his commander. "What do you want?" He asked carefully.
Crack Shot leaned in and gave Storm an accusing glare. "Why are you receiving mail from a unicorn?" He asked quietly.
Storm leaned in and had an annoyed look on his face. "I had to make an ally while in that damned city, I wasn't in a posistion to be picky." He lied calmly.
Crack Shot grumbled and stared at Storm. "What are you receiving?" He asked quietly.
Storm grinned. "None of your damn business." He replied in a teasing tone.
Sift nudged Storm's arm and got his attention. "And me?" She asked calmly.
Storm's face fell and he whimpered quietly. "No fair." He replied very quietly.
Sift grinned. "Well?" She asked.
Storm sighed and banged his head on the table getting some confused looks from the other patrons. "If you must know it's very important." He answered in avoidance.
Sift nudged him playfully. "Three clues then one question." She said.
Storm nodded and took a drink from his mug.
Sift put her hoof on her chin and smirked. "Is one item?" She asked.
Storm shook his head.
"Is there a weapon?" She asked.
Storm nodded.
"A book?" She asked uncertainly.
Storm reluctantly nodded.
Sift grinned. "Is it a book on a weapon?" She asked.
Storm smirked and shook his head. "Close." He replied.
Quartz and Partial chuckled. "Kids." Quartz started.
"Always troublesome." Partial finished.
Storm looked at Quartz and put on a blank face. "Speaking of, didn't you once say you had a daughter?" He asked.
Quartz smiled and nodded. "Yep, and I'm proud of it." She replied happily.
Storm resisted the urge to smile but instead put on a curious look. "Oh? care to share?" He asked.
Quartz shrugged. "I don't see why not." She said.
Storm nodded and set his head on the table. "Might as well start with the basic questions, let's start with a name." He said.
Quartz took a drink from her mug and set it down. "Fluttershy." She replied.
Jagged look at Quartz with confusion. "You do realize that your daughter is the Element of kindness right?" He asked.
Quartz sighed. "Sadly.....yes." She admitted.
Storm swallowed the last of his drink and set it aside as he put his head on the table again. "What's she like anyway.....aside from the obvious." He asked.
Quartz sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Well, as the name suggests, she is very shy, but she has a mischievous side to her as well, she's loyal, brave when she has to be, she had some anger issues for a while but that was to be expected when she hit puberty." She explained while getting a wince from Jagged.
"Tell me about it, when my sister hit puberty she turned into a raging bull, and not the kind that charges at red." Jagged added getting some laughs from his teammates.
Storm rolled his eyes and felt an arm wrap around him. "Your daughter sounds like someone I would like, but I'm curious, why didn't you bring her with you?" He asked curiously.
The table was greeted by murmurs until Quartz spoke up.
"Well the thing is, when I asked her, she was of course confused, but when I explained it to her she told me flat out......no." She replied sadly.
Storm raised an eyebrow. "What was her total reply?" He asked.
Quartz sighed and downed the last of her drink. "She told me that she couldn't go because it would be unfair to her father." She replied simply.
Storm sighed and rolled his eyes. "It's always the father, why couldn't he go with you?" He asked.
"Because he's in the royal guard." She replied with a hint of anger.
Storm chuckled on instinct and looked at Quartz. "And how's that working out for you?" He asked teasingly.
Quartz huffed. "Divorced." She replied happily.
"What did he have to say about you leaving?" Storm asked.
Quartz laughed. "He tried to arrest me." She replied.
Sift looked at Quartz in shock. "Why would he do that?" She asked curiously.
Quartz grinned. "He said that I was a traitor and that I should burn in Tartarus." She replied simply.
Storm stifled a laugh but decided to continue the conversation. "What did you do?" He asked, almost hopefully.
Quartz shrugged. "Nothing actually, apparently Fluttershy was there and actually kicked him." She replied through a stifled laugh.
Storm grinned. "Ouch, and let me guess, you tried to convince Fluttershy to come with you but she was adamant, so you said farewell and came here." He guessed.
Quartz shook her head. "Actually no, she did come with me, but by then she was already the Element of kindness, and sadly a group of unicorns had knocked her out and fled with her." She replied sadly.
Storm blinked. "Want me to kill them?" He asked calmly.
Quartz shook her head and sighed. "No point, I imagine that by now they wiped her memory of me to keep her from following." She replied.
The entire table became silent except when they asked for refills occasionally, at one point Sift had fallen asleep on Storm's shoulder and Partial had dozed off in his seat.
'You know what, Quartz, if I'm ever in that damned land again and I see your daughter, I'll find that out for you, and that's a promise.'
______*end of flashback*______
Storm chuckled at the memory. 'I'm still going to uphold my promise Quartz, you can count on it.'
Storm said a silent prayer and exited the tent to see Vinyl standing right outside. "Hurry up Wolf boy, unless you dont want to get paid." She teased.
"Ha ha ha." Storm laughed sarcastically before walking to his post.
Vinyl fell in next to him with a smirk. "When are you ever going to stop disguising yourself?" She asked in a teasing tone.
Storm gave Vinyl a death glare that went unnoticed. "When I'm not dead inside." He replied simply.
Vinyl rolled her eyes and ruffled Storm's hair. "Yep, your my walking zombie." She teased.
"Gah." He exclaimed.
"So.....when did you start hanging around with unicorns?" Came a familiar voice behind Storm.
Storm sighed and turned around to reveal Quartz standing there. "Not the time Quartz." He stated.
Vinyl looked between the two in confusion. "You know each other?" She asked.
Storm nodded. "Yep, Vinyl meet Quartz, and Quartz, this is Vinyl." He said.
Quartz briefly looked at Vinyl and then at Storm. "What happened to you Storm? you finally get taken down a peg?" She asked while pointing at him.
Storm shook his head. "Nope, goes to show that I'm not immune to magic while asleep." He replied simply.
Vinyl was completely confused right now. "So uh, anyone mind filling me in on what's going on here?" She asked.
Quartz sighed and looked at Vinyl. "I need to speak with Storm, it's business." She replied simply.
Storm sighed and motioned Quartz closer. "You don't have to be so cryptic Quartz, she knows." He said.
Quartz raised an eyebrow at Storm. "Since when do you tell unicorns anything?" She asked.
Storm shrugged. "Guess I softened up, but who cares." He replied.
Quartz shook her head and looked at Vinyl who nodded at her. "Fine, but you keep her from talking." She stated.
Storm gave Quartz a questioning glare. "She's right there you know." He warned.
"Do I care?" Quartz asked.
Storm chuckled. "Nope, but enough of this, what do you want?" He asked blankly.
Quartz sighed sadly and looked up at the sky and looked at Storm with a sad expression on her face.
".....Partial is dead." She said with sorrow.
Storm's eyes widened and he growled. "How could this have happened?" He asked angrily.
Quartz bit her lip. "I don't know, but whoever did it left this....." She paused before pulling out an orange crystal in the shape of an emerald with a symbol of an eye on one side.
Storm and Vinyl looked at it with curiosity. "Vinyl, your good with this stuff, why don't you take a look?" He asked.
Vinyl nodded and took the crystal from Quartz and examined it closely. "From what I can tell, it seems like whoever did this has a message for us." She stated.
Quartz raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't make any sense, we don't even know how to do that!" She argued.
Vinyl grinned and her horn lit up. "Then it's a good thing I can." She replied.
Storm watches as Vinyl's horn lit up and the eye on the crystal started glowing black.
Vinyl finished her spell and soon the eye on the crystal shot up an image that did not make sense to anyone there.
Storm observed the image carefully, it was that of a cloaked figure that held a crystal in its hoof. "Ah, greetings, Ritual squad, I had hoped that your teammates proved a better challenge then they did but sadly they did not." Taunted the figure.
Quartz growled. "Who are you?" She demanded.
The figure chuckled. "Tsk tsk tsk, Quartz, you should really be more patient, after all, that weakness cost Warp Arka her life, as for who I am, I am I hunter of sorts, changed and warped in such a horrible way that I dare not show my face, but know this, I will kill the Ritual squad, it's inevitable." The figure taunted further.
Storm broke out laughing. "Oh boy, you actually think you can kill me? your insane, you are just a coward who attacks when we are weak, I wonder how you bleed?" He wondered.
The figure then laughed. "You have no idea who you are talking to boy." The figure warned.
Storm shrugged. "I don't care." He replied.
Quartz gasped and backed up. "I.....I know who you are." She said.
The figure faced Quartz. "Oh?" It asked.
Quartz growled. "Flash Sentry, my husband's brother." She said angrily.
Flash Sentry laughed and lowered the hood of his cloak to reveal an orange stallion with a blue mane.
"Long time no see, traitor." Flash growled.
Quartz scoffed. "Says the bastard who took away my daughter." She countered angrily.
Flash Sentry put on a sadistic grin and laughed maniacally. "Oh yes, dear Fluttershy, I haven't seen her in a while, shame that you couldn't be erased from her mind due to her element, but no matter, she cannot leave Equestria even if she wanted." He taunted.
Storm had enough and grabbed the crystal, he then threw it on the ground and smashed it. "Don't listen to him, he just wants to separate us so he can pick us off." He stated.
Quartz let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and looked at Storm. "Now what?" She asked.
Storm shrugged. "One thing at a time, for now, I'm going to finish what I started, then we go back to Ponyville and come up with a plan.....until then, Quartz stay close."
Quartz nodded and took a deep breath. "Right, stay calm." She said.
Storm looked at Vinyl and Quartz. "Look, Quartz, for this to work you can't be picky about your ally's, and i need you to understand who your ally's are." He started.
Quartz raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going with this? i get that I might have to work with unicorns but what else?" She asked.
Storm rolled his eyes. "What I'm saying is...." He paused.
Pinkamena walked alongside Scootaloo while they pulled their respective carts. "Is this journey ever going to end?" Scootaloo complained.
"It's an expedition, it takes a while." Pinkamena said.
Scootaloo huffed. "They could at least hurry it up." She replied.
"WE FOUND THE TEMPLE!" Came a voice.
Scootaloo and Pinkamena blinked. "That was either magic....."
".....Or pure coincidence." Pinkamena finished.
Scootaloo heard footsteps nearby and looked behind herself to see Storm, Vinyl and Quartz.
Pinkamena looked at the trio and motioned towards the head of the expedition. "They found it apparently." She said.
Vinyl grinned. "Sweet, about time too." She replied.
Scootaloo nodded and started to walk forward again. "Come on, don't want to get left behind." She said.
Pinkamena silently agreed with this idea and resumed her walk.
Storm took flight and looked around for signs of the temple then zoomed off.
Vinyl sighed and walked alongside Pinkamena. "I don't think we've been introduced." She said.
Pinkamena shrugged. "Can't say we have, my names Pinkamena." She replied.
Vinyl grinned. "Vinyl Scratch." She replied.
Quartz sighed and looked at Scootaloo with curiosity. 'Why is a tiger here?' She wondered.
Scootaloo's eyes widened and looked at Vinyl. "So your Storm's mother?" She asked.
Vinyl nodded. "Yep, although If your going to ask me how he became the person he is now, I don't know." She replied.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Not what I meant, I was going to ask if you did anything out of the ordinary." She said calmly.
Vinyl shrugged. "Does blowing up a secret laboratory, recruitment center and a Cybermen base count?" She asked.
Pinkamena, Quartz and Scootaloo all looked at Vinyl in shock. "You did what?" Quartz asked.
Vinyl sighed. "First off, we had to destroy that laboratory, they attacked us first." She replied.
Scootaloo gulped. "And the recruitment center?" She asked.
"In the way." She said simply.
Vinyl looked at Pinkamena who went to speak. "And don't even ask about the Cybermen." She warned coldly.
"I was going to ask how you two met up." She replied.
Vinyl's expression became grim. "We met in the secret laboratory....as lab rats." She replied.
Quartz scoffed. "Fucking Equestrians." She hissed.
"Why did they make you two lab rats?" Pinkamena asked.
Vinyl rolled her eyes. "They wanted to experiment with a werewolf, so they got Storm, and me....I just got unlucky." She replied.
Scootaloo looked up at the sky and saw something flying towards them. "Guys, we may want to move." She warned.
Vinyl looked up and frowned. "It's headed for Quartz." She said calmly.
Quartz's eyes widened as she narrowly dodged the thing that flew at her.
Scootaloo and Pinkamena unhooked themselves from their carts and looked at what landed.
Quartz' eyes lit up in shock at the sight before her.....it was him
"You!" Quartz shouted as she ignited herself.
Vinyl looked at the figure who apparently was attacking them, an orange Pegasus stallion. "That was fast." She remarked.
Flash Sentry slowly stood up and looked at Quartz. "Always the hothead I see." He stated In a cool manner.
Quartz growled. "Says the man who kidnapped my daughter." She hissed.
Flash slowly advanced towards the burning Pegasus. "Let's just get this over with, I need to be at full strength when I fight the wolf." He replied coldly.
In the blink of an eye Flash disappeared and he soon reappeared behind Quartz and performed a fierce double kick which sent her flying.
Quartz grunted and recovered, she growled and soon a dozen fireballs appeared around her and flew towards Flash.
Flash dodged the first few fireballs and flew away from the rest, when he was hit from behind, he turned around to see the fireballs flying straight for him.
Vinyl and Pinkamena simply watched as the fireballs followed Flash around like bees to a flower.
Flash grumbled. "That's enough of this game." He stated as his eyes flashed orange for a split second.
Quartz watched in horror as her fireballs suddenly disappeared and her fire extinguished itself. "Wha? how?" She asked in disbelief.
Flash flew directly at Quartz while she was distracted only to get stopped by a rock that hit him in the face, he looked around. "Who did that!" He shouted.
Quartz suddenly remembered the fight and flew at Flash at great speed.
Flash refocused and flew at Quartz and the two Pegasi clashed.
Quartz punched Flash in the face but got hit in the stomach which caused her to fall to the ground.
Flash lunged at her and hit Quartz directly in the face, he then proceeded to punch her furiously until another rock stopped him, Flash growled and looked around again.
"Show yourself!"
A moderately sized metal disk jammed itself into the ground not far from Flash, the orange Pegasus examined it and noticed a very familiar pentagram pattern on it.
"Oh no...."
A brief flash of light and soon an earth pony mare with metal hoof blades stood in front of the disk with a grin on her face. "Miss me fuckers?" She asked mockingly.
Flash kicked Quartz away and faced the mare. "I thought you died." He said.
Warp grinned. "You know, so did I, until I remembered something..... your an idiot." She stated.
Flash gave her a cold glare and slowly advanced. "You cannot defeat me alone, none of your team could or can." He warned.
Warp chuckled. "Who said I was alone?" She asked in a disappointed tone.
Flash looked around. "You actually believe that these.....peasants, will help you?" He questioned.
Scootaloo walked around the corner and up to Warp and stood next to her. "I am." She said.
Quartz shakily stood up and walked up to Warp. "If we survive this, we are going to have a talk." She stated.
Warp grinned. "Fine by me." She replied.
Pinkamena moved to join the three but Vinyl stopped her. "What are you doing?" She asked.
Vinyl sighed. "Watch."
Flash looked at Scootaloo. "Ah yes, the freak, I was expecting to have to fight you and the wolf, but this will do just fine." He taunted.
Scootaloo put on a neutral face and got into a battle stance. "Just fight." She said calmly.
Quartz chuckled and ignited herself again. "Agreed." She added.
Warp shook her head. "Since when am I the voice of reason?" She asked.
Flash looked between the three and instantly came up with a plan. 'first, eliminate the tiger, then Quartz, and finally Warp, if the others join in I will adapt.'
Flash took flight and charged at Scootaloo at blinding speed, he performed an uppercut then punched her in the chest.
Scootaloo took a chance and grabbed his hoof and pulled, she threw a punch at his face and did a sweeping kick at his torso.
Flash's eyes glowed blue and a magic shield formed in front of his face blocking the punch, he quickly kicked away from Scootaloo and soon found himself at odds against Quartz once again.
Quartz' flames roared and she threw a punch that released a wave of flames behind it.
Flash recognized the threat and his eyes glowed blue, forming a magic shield in front of Quartz' hoof and then his eyes glowed orange and a magic spear formed and launched at Quartz.
Quartz flared her flames and used them as a shield that absorbed the spear, she then flew back and flung a dozen fireballs.
Flash formed another magic shield and was soon fighting Warp who threw a punch and a roadhouse kick right after, he dodged the punch but was hit by the kick.
Warp watched as the fireballs that Quartz formed barraged Flash in a never ending dance of flame.
Flash's eyes glowed orange and the fireballs disappeared, but before he could charge he was attacked by Scootaloo.
Scootaloo headbutted the Pegasus the threw a punch to his chest.
Flash managed to dodge the punch but was still a bit dazed from the headbutt and so was unprepared for when Scootaloo uppercut him into the air.
Scootaloo decided to end her barrage by shifting to her Pegasus form amd elbowing Flash in the stomach.
Flash plummeted to the ground but before he hit the ground his wings snapped open and he glided down to the ground.
Scootaloo landed nearby in her tiger form.
Flash sighed and his eyes glowed green and, to everyone's horror, Flash's wounds healed quickly.
Quartz fell to the ground and she breathed heavily. "What is he?" She asked herself.
Flash looked at Quartz with a cold glare. "The one who kills you." He replied simply.
Warp laughed obnoxiously. "Don't make me laugh!" She taunted.
Flash looked at her. "What do you mean?" He asked.
Warp grinned. "In case you haven't noticed, we've been kicking your ass!" She stated.
Flash gave shook his head. "Tsk tsk tsk, poor Warp, such arrogance, let me show you what I mean." He offered.
Warp gasped as Flash disappeared and reappeared in front of her, she felt a hoof collide with her face then another in her stomach as she went flying.
Flash then charged Quartz and kicked her far away then he turned to face Scootaloo. "And then there was one." He said calmly.
Scootaloo maintained a neutral expression and got into a battle stance. "Bring it." She taunted.
Flash chuckled and charged at unnatural speed towards Scootaloo, he threw a punch at her chest.
Scootaloo blocked the punch and launched a kick at the Pegasus.
Flash dodged the strike and rammed Scootaloo head first, he quickly recovered and hit Scootaloo with a fierce double kick.
Scootaloo could feel the air leave her lungs as she was launched into the ground.
Flash flew back to where he was before and looked around, he stood in a triangle made of the three opponents he fought. "Time to finish this." He said as he moved towards Warp.
Pinkamena screamed angrily and rushed out to face Flash.
Flash stopped moving as Pinkamena stood between him and Warp. "I advise you to leave this matter alone." He warned.
Pinkamena gave Flash an angry stare as she stood defiantly in his path. "No way." She countered.
Vinyl bit her tongue and walked towards Pinkamena. "No avoiding it now I suppose." She grumbled.
Flash watched as the unicorn walked up to Pinkamena and stand next to her. "As you wish." He said before charging at great speeds against Pinkamena.
Pinkamena predicted a punch that was thrown at her side then threw a punch at Flash's shoulder.
Vinyl's horn lit up and she charged a spell as the two fought.
Flash blocked the next punch and his eyes glowed orange, a magic spear formed and launched itself and Pinkamena only to be blocked by a magical barrier that Vinyl conjured, Flash adapted and headbutted Pinkamena then rammed her head on.
Pinkamena was launched away by the attack, she shakily got up.
Flash continued his assault by conjuring a few magic spears and throwing them at Vinyl who made a magic barrier that blocked them.
Vinyl fired a volley of magical blasts at Flash only to find him missing. "Where did he....."
She was unable to complete her sentence when Flash uppercut her then rammed her into the ground.
Vinyl growled as she quickly got back up much to Flash's surprise, a black mist soon formed around her and her eyes glowed bright red.
Flash was completely caught off guard as the unicorn charged him at a speed equal to his own and proceeded to beat him down.
Vinyl released a large burst of shadow energy into her hoof and threw it all at Flash with a single punch causing a large cloud of dust to form.
Flash wheezed as he was hit, he grumbled and his eyes glowed green and his wounds started to heal themselves.
Vinyl stood up and limped away towards Pinkamena, unaware that Flash was already standing up.
Pinkamena looked over at Vinyl and her eyes widened, Vinyl was confused until she looked around and saw that Flash was now standing back up.
Flash looked at Vinyl and in the blink of an eye, slammed her into the ground, he then looked at Pinkamena and did the same to her. "Stay down." He ordered.
Pinkamena and Vinyl could only watch as Flash moved towards the helpless Warp.
Flash walked up to Warp who looked him straight in the eye. "Piss off!" She snapped.
In response, Flash took Warp's left hoof blade and strapped it to himself. "Any last words?" He asked.
Warp looked over at the unconscious Quartz and smiled. "I never got the chance to tell her that I love her.....sucks to be me." She said sadly.
Flash put the hoof blade above Warp's throat and sighed. "I shall do what must be done." He said quietly.
Warp smiled as she closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable.
"NOOOOO!" Came a familiar voice, Warp's eyes shot open and she looked to see what the source was.
Flash stopped his hoof right before the blade reached Warp's throat, he stood up and turned around to see someone he did not recognize.
"Who are you?" He asked coldly.
Standing fifty feet away from Flash was a Pegasus colt with a dull gray coat and a mane that went from white to black, the colt had eyes that were a discolored blood red, forest green, black and white all at the same time.
The worst part of it all, this colt looked pissed off and Flash had a moment of realization. "Wait now, I remember you, Storm, the werewolf" He said calmly.
Storm had a look of death on his face as he glared at Flash. "You have two seconds to leave." He warned.
Flash shook his head. "No actually, you see this works out perfectly for me." He replied.
Storm sighed. "Two seconds up." He said before disappearing.
Flash looked around and noticed that Scootaloo and Vinyl were now next to Pinkamena, the next thing he knew he was punched with unimaginable force which sent him flying.
Storm reappeared when he moved Warp and Quartz to the others. "If I were you, i would let me handle this." He said to Warp.
Warp chuckled. "Sounds good to me." She said.
Storm watched as Flash stood up shakily. "Your time is up.....assassin." He stated calmly.
Flash stood up and his eyes glowed green faintly, he then charged Storm at max speed with the intent to kill.
Storm stood motionless as Flash charged him, he chuckled and soon a ring of black flame enveloped a large area around him, then a black fireball flung itself in a random direction.
Flash gasped as the fireball hit him right in the chest, he screamed in agony and his eyes glowed blue, but to his horror the flame did not dissipate.
Storm smirked and he stomped his hoof on the ground sending a wave of white snow, the snow enveloped Flash and he began resisting.
Flash struggled against the snow as the black flames burned him alive, in a last ditch effort to save himself, his eyes glowed blue faintly and he teleported a short distance.
Storm sighed and drew Demise from its sheath, he closed his eyes and searched for Flash, to his amusement he found Flash trying to fly away, he grinned and threw Demise at Flash.
Flash flew towards a nearby tree line to escape when he felt a great pain through his spine, he began plummeting to the ground because of the pain.
Storm walked over to where Flash was falling and a small wave of white snow flew towards Flash and forced his to the ground.
When Flash crashed on the ground, Storm watched as the snow formed around Demise and pulled it out of Flash's spine.
Flash screamed as Demise was removed from him and he was forced to flip over, he looked at Storm in horror. "What are you!?"
Storm said nothing as he took Demise from the snow and walked towards Flash. "I'm the person that kills you." He replied simply.
Flash's eyes widened as Storm plunged Demise deep into his heart, he gasped out in pain.
Storm pulled Demise out and closed his eyes. "May your soul find peace." He whispered.
Warp over at Storm and chuckled. "That freak dead yet?" She asked.
Storm looked at Warp and nodded, he sighed and closed his eyes. "Yes he his." He replied.
Warp grinned. "Looks like it." She said.
Storm opened his eyes to reveal them as forest green, he flew over to Warp and the others.
Warp groaned in pain as Storm landed nearby. "Hey Storm, got any of those miracle remedies?" She asked hopefully.
Storm shook his head and kneeled down to Warp. "Don't have any left, but the good news is that you don't need it." He replied calmly.
Warp sighed in relief. "That's good news."
Storm nodded and moved on to the others. "Maybe next time.....you could NOT disappear?" He suggested.
Warp chuckled. "Yea, sounds good." She replied.
Storm examined Pinkamena's wounds and sighed. "Alright, she'll be fine in some time." He murmured.
Warp slowly stood up and limped over to Quartz. "Might as well help out." She whispered.
______*the next day, Lightbark forest, 11:21 AM*______
Storm laid back on a hill with his eyes closed, he was busy contemplating his next move.
'I've already killed the assassin.....now what?' He pondered.
A set of footsteps came from behind Storm and he smirked. "I was wondering when you would come talk to me." He said without opening his eyes.
"We need to talk Wolf boy." Vinyl said.
Storm sighed and patted the ground next to him. "What about?" He asked.
Vinyl sat down and looked at the sky. "Where did you go?" She asked.
Storm opened his eyes and looked at Vinyl. "I was at the temple when I got this feeling in my gut telling me to go back, glad to see that I was right to do so." He replied.
Vinyl sighed and laid back on the grass. "I haven't seen Quartz or Warp anywhere, any ideas?" She asked.
Storm shook his head and chuckled. "I got a few, but it ain't my place to say." He replied.
Vinyl went silent and the two remained like that, simply staring at the clouds.
Not long after, footsteps came from behind them and Storm chuckled. "How did it go?" He asked.
"Went well.....I guess." Warp replied.
Vinyl looked at Warp. "You got a thing against me too, or are we neutral?" She asked sarcastically.
Warp chuckled. "Neutral, you haven't screwed me over so that's a plus." She replied while sitting down.
Storm looked at Warp. "Is she pissed?" He asked.
Warp nodded. "Yea, but I don't blame her." She replied.
Vinyl grinned. "Nothing worse then a woman scorned." She added.
Warp laughed. "Tell me about it." She said.
Storm rolled his eyes and looked at the sky. "So Warp, what are you going to do now?" He asked.
Warp shrugged. "Who knows? maybe I'll settle down, I hear Ponyville is a peaceful place this year." She said.
Storm smirked. "Alright but I hope you can handle extreme boredom." He warned.
"I've had my fill of excitement for the rest of my life, I can handle boredom." Warp replied.
Vinyl looked at Storm. "Hey Storm, when we get to Manehatten, I have something for you." She said.
Storm look at her with curiosity. "What is it?" He asked calmly.
Vinyl grinned. "An upgrade for your launcher....assuming you didn't get rid of it." She replied.
Storm mimicked the gesture and chuckled. "That'll be interesting." He remarked.
Warp sighed and leaned back on the ground. "Look at us, talking about the future, we sound like old people." She said jokingly.
Storm laughed. "I hope not, I plan on being dead before THAT ever happens." He said sarcastically.
The three laughed quietly as they watched the clouds, time slowly drifting by all the while.
_____*The temple of Trakor, the next day, 6:31 AM*_____
Vinyl yawned as the group of six entered the temple, she looked at Storm with an annoyed expression. "Why did you wake us up so early Storm?" She asked.
Storm chuckled and looked around the room in wonder. "Because I wanted to get into the temple before everyone else." He replied simply.
The room they were in was ancient, the walls were a dark black with carvings along the walls, four doors were in separate corners of the room, one was the entrance while another was blocked off by rocks, the other two doors seemed to be intact.
Storm changed to his scanning eyes and searched the paths, he was not interested in wasting time so he soon started walking towards one of the doors with and sighed as the others followed him in silence.
"I leave the squad and this is what I get?....silence?" Storm commented.
Quartz shook her head and looked around the room. "It's not something that we should discuss with outsiders." She said while dodging the hidden accusation.
Storm rolled his eyes as the group continued their silent walk through the temple, he did notice however that Pinkamena was unusually quiet, he decided to talk to her about it and walked over to the mare.
"You ok?" He asked.
Pinkamena sighed and looked at Storm. "I don't know, I feel like I shouldn't be here but at the same time something tells me that I was meant to be here.....it's very confusing." She replied.
The ex-commando nodded and took a moment to reflect as he walked along the massive hallway they entered.
'If I had acted sooner Sift would be alive, but then.....I wouldn't have met Vinyl, or the doc, or Daring, heck I wouldn't have met Scootaloo.....but still, because of me Surprise' parents are dead.....but then again, now that I think about it, think about all the lives I saved or helped, I helped stop the cybermen and destroyed that hellhole of a lab, I stopped Insanity from hurting more people, and i saved the others from Flash Sentry....and many others.'
A groan came from the back of Storm's mind. "Oh my god.....stop thinking about all of these people!....almost everyone you've met has either died or has been changed for life, so stop thinking about it damnit!" Vengeance snapped.
Storm rolled his eyes and opened another door which led to a massive rectangular room with statues all around the room and one large altar in the center.
"Well doesn't that scream trap?" He commented as he walked into the room.
Scootaloo sighed and walked up to the altar. "Why do I feel like this is what we were searching for?" She wondered.
The group soon spread out across the room, Vinyl activated her scanning eyes and looked around the room, she noticed that there was a blocked off pathway that led to the altar, she searched further and saw that there was a lever in a far off room, she sighed and began looking for a way to free the pathway without going the distance.....no such luck. "We have got to have the worst luck in the world." She said quietly.
Storm however was busy putting his grenade launcher on, he then aimed at a wall. "DUCK!" He shouted before firing a grenade at the wall.
The entire group dove down as the grenade impacted on the wall, and then exploded a few moments later.
Vinyl looked at Storm in anger. "What the fuck Storm!?" She shouted.
Storm looked at Vinyl with a grin. "Oops, must have slipped." He joked in response.
Vinyl grumbled and looked at the broken wall, her eyes widened at the size of the hole.....it was at least seven feet wide. 'What did he do to those grenades?' She wondered.
Storm walked to the hole in the wall and headed inside. "Come on!" He shouted eagerly.
Scootaloo looked at Warp who simply shrugged. "I can't explain him." Warp said simply.
"I don't think it's possible." Scootaloo replied.
The group then started to search the new pathway, Storm was currently in the lead, searching for anything that would be of use, eventually however, he came across a room.
____*the next room.*____
Storm walked into the room and looked around, it was far too dark for normal eyes to see, but for Storm it was clear as day, the room had a collapsed entrance and was mostly bare, exept for the few crates and the chest in the corner, he walked over to the chest and looked at it.
The chest was a smooth black with green runes dancing over it, he knelt down and opened it, the contents was only some old stone carvings, to anyone else, they would be obsolete paperweights, or to archeologists they would be junky finds, but to Storm they spoke in an endless tide of power and meaning, he grabbed the carvings and put them in his bags, he then stood up and activated his scanning eyes and searched the crates, they were all empty so he walked out of the room.
"Careful boy, you are treading in ancient ground, there may be traps......and as much as I hate you, I do need you alive." Vengeance reminded.
Storm nodded and continued walking. 'Sure thing.' He replied simply.
____*ten minutes later, back at the altar.*____
The group returned to the room with the altar and looked around again, Vinyl had pulled the lever and Pinkamena found a small statue in the shape of a Minotaur, Warp and Scootaloo only found dust and rocks, while Quartz found a stone carving which Storm took, Storm himself however seemed to be In a rush for reasons unknown, he seemed to be fiddling with the carvings and the altar, Scootaloo raised an eyebrow at this and walked over.
"Storm, what are you doing?" Scootaloo asked curiously.
Storm chuckled and set up the middle carving. "I'm getting things ready......unless you want to back out now?" He asked in a teasing tone.
Scootaloo sighed and leaned in the altar. "Why are we here Storm?.....really?" She questioned.
Storm seemed to flinch for a split second but continued. "Well, three reasons." He replied.
Scootaloo blinked and looked at Storm with a curious stare. "Such as?" She asked.
Storm rolled his eyes and pointed at Pinkamena. "Reason one, to make it so Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie can coexist, unless she changes her mind I'm not stopping, reason two is complete, which is was to reunite the remnants of the Ritual team, reason three is a more recent one......survive against the maniacs that are entering the temple." He replied simply.
Scootaloo nodded and closed her eyes......her eyes then shot open in realization. "Shit...." She said quietly.
"Just keep them from reaching the altar until I'm done ok?" He requested.
Scootaloo ran towards the group and noticed that they were already getting into position. 'Vinyl must have warned them.' She thought as she got ready to fight.
Vinyl activated her eyes and slowed her breathing, she could see that multiple assailants entered the temple at once, she saw that there were at least seven Griffins and ten pegasi in the first group, there were also multiple earth ponies and some unicorns, there might have been changelings but they would be disguised, she sighed and pulled out Bullet Bill. 'The second they get in, all hell will break loose, so we need to get them somewhere confined, it would mean a lot if Storm could help, but his attention is on that dumb altar and those carvings.'
Warp took a deep breath and set up a teleportation circle, she then looked up at Quartz and nodded, Quartz then ignited herself and flew up higher to keep the smoke from revealing her location.
_____*a few moments later.*_____
Vinyl had begun the fight by shooting a Pegasus thug right between the eyes, this resulted in basically every single bad guy charging towards the fighting, Vinyl sidestepped a magic blast and shot one right back at the attacker, which seemed to end his life, or just knock him out.
Quartz unleashed a flurry of fireballs at a group of magic casters, all but one of the fireballs either missed or were deflected, she glanced over at Warp who slammed two heads together and rammed another henchman.
Scootaloo and Pinkamena fought back to back against a group of henchman, Scootaloo punched one in the side and kicked another in the face, Pinkamena dodged a strike with a strange speed and punched him in the gut, she then engaged another henchman and threw a flurry of punches at him.
Storm grumbled as he worked on the altar, he noticed that a griffin was flying up to attack him, he grinned and quickly back flipped before lodging a dagger in his spine, he then rushed back to the altar after retrieving Demise.
Vinyl dodged a kick from a Pegasus and killed him with her hidden blade, she then engaged a pair of changelings and a griffin.
Quartz and Warp had gone back to back, with Warp continuously phasing back and forth and punching them, while Quartz burned whoever got close.
Scootaloo punched one of the assailants in the face but was forced to back off when several more showed up.
Storm slowly rotated the statue and soon enough he heard a click, he smirked and quickly spun around and uppercut a changeling right in the jaw, he then looked back at the altar and saw that energy began to form around it, he chuckled and continued his work by examining the markings. 'So, these markings house raw energies and convert them into more focused magic, fascinating!' He muttered.
Pinkamena however, was not doing as well as the others, she braced herself as an earth pony assaulted her with multiple punches and kicks, at the end of the barrage, the earth pony gripped her arm and pulled away to break her defense, Pinkamena was then introduced to a direct punch to the face and was knocked back and landed on the floor was a hard crash, she felt the world haze as she attempted to look around, but her daze made everything a blur, she could hardly make out any colors in it all, her head then dropped and she passed out.
Storm paused for a moment but soon continued working, he then funneled some flames into the markings before standing up, with a sigh he turned around and opened his eyes. "I'm getting tired of being the one to save you guys." He said as he looked around.
Pinkamena was unconscious, Quartz and Warp were backed into a corner by several of their attackers, Scootaloo was surrounded by several others, and Vinyl was on the ground, beaten and bruised.
As Storm looked around, he noticed a unicorn walk up and look at him directly. "Enough of this, surrender now and your friends will be spared, only you will die." He stated calmly.
Storm chuckled and walked down the steps slowly. "And why would I do that?.....I don't see the reason, how exactly do you plan to kill me?" He wondered curiously.
The unicorn blinked and channeled his magic for a brief period, he then pointed up at the ceiling.
Storm used his magic and looked at the ceiling, seeing that there was several magical bombs tied to the roof, he sighed and looked at the unicorn. "Bored now." He said in a monotone voice.
The unicorn went to activate the bombs as Storm moved rapidly to him.
Storm's eyes glowed red, he then pulled out Demise and threw it at the unicorn's head, he had tried to throw a shield up, but the dagger broke right through it and lodged itself in the unicorn's skull, killing him instantly.
All of the attackers moved at once, most charged at Storm, but the rest attacked the others, intent on keeping them from assisting the colt.
At that moment, Storm's eyes went completely black, he ignited himself in a cloak of black flames, the flames then shot out, attacking the thugs and incinerating them quickly.
Storm then focused his attention on the rest, the flames moving to them and setting them on fire, their skin burnt off instantly, the bones and the rest, soon followed.
Storm then focused his attention on the last thug, he was holding a knife to the unconscious Pinkamena's throat. "You really think that will help?" He wondered.
The thug grinned. "Then I guess it wouldn't matter if I mentioned that should any of you move, I kill her?" He countered.
Storm didn't move, he changed his eyes to green but that was all.
The thug made sure to keep an eye on everyone as he backed towards the exit, once he made sure that everyone was in the room, he quickly flared his horn, he waited a few moments before smirking and slicing Pinkamena's throat.
Everyone moved at once as the thug ran off, Storm quickly flew up to Pinkamena's body along with the others.
Storm was speechless, not to say he wasn't expecting it, but it was still shocking, he tried to pick the mare up but just then, the bombs exploded, he looked up along with everyone else, but he couldn't act, he just sat there in shock as the pieces of the ceiling fell down on them.
Vinyl quickly threw up a magical barrier to protect everyone, she threw all of her power into it as the rubble fell down on the shield, blocking all light.
____*unknown time, The ruins of Trakor.*____
Vinyl coughed as the dust filled her lungs, she tried to illuminate the area with her magic, but it only shot a jolt of pain to her head, her shadow magic couldn't help and she already burned out her eye powers, she looked around the area but only saw darkness.
She heard more coughing, it was coming from a few feet away, Vinyl attempted to move, but she only felt pain and the telltale sign of grinding stone. 'Crap.' She thought. "Hey, who is it?" She asked weakly.
"Quartz." Replied a shaky voice.
Vinyl coughed and gritted her teeth as her head rang with pain. "Can you move?" She asked.
There was no reply at first, just some coughing, and then. ".....No, I can't......w-what about you?" She wondered.
"Nope, I can't even use my magic......can you see anyone?" She asked.
Quartz coughed. "Pinkamena......she's right next to me, but she doesn't seem to be moving." She answered.
Vinyl then heard more coughing, but this time it was getting closer to her, she saw a faint magical aura surround whatever it was on top of her.
A dim light entered the area next, and then she saw an unfamiliar pony. "Trixie has found more of them!" A prominent voice declared.
Vinyl couldn't shield her eyes right away, but the slim stature, blurry light blue fur and mane, glowing horn, all indicated that it was a unicorn mare. "Who are you?" She asked quietly, unable to fully hear yet.
An orange figure then showed up next to Vinyl, the figure then proceeded to pick Vinyl up and pull her out.
Vinyl coughed again as she was pulled out of the rubble, she then felt herself get set down on the ground, she grunted and her eyes started to adjust to the new light, she was in a clear area around an enormous pile of rubble, she slowly sat up, still feeling weak from before, she shivered and gritted her teeth again.
Soon enough, Vinyl watched as the two pulled both Pinkamena and Quartz out of the rubble, Vinyl identified the Orange one as Scootaloo, but she couldn't make out the other mare's name.
"Are you alright?" Asked a familiar voice.
Vinyl looked over her shoulder and saw Warp walk over. "I'll live, if that's what you mean." She answered.
Warp knelt down and examined Vinyl's wounds, she sighed at this. "All I can do right now is help you to hold yourself together, other than that, not much I can do, I'm no medic." She said before standing up again.
Vinyl shivered from an oddly cold breeze. "Where's Storm?" She asked.
Scootaloo sighed. "We don't know, we need to find him yet, if it wasn't for Trixie here." She pointed at the mare. "We wouldn't have been so lucky as to get free." She answered.
Vinyl stood up and took deep breaths. "Ok, we need to find Storm, any ideas?" She asked.
Just then, a loud crash was heard nearby, everyone except Pinkamena blinked. "Found him." They said in sync.
As everyone headed headed to the source of the crash, they found Storm beaten, bleeding and with one severed wing, and one broken wing. "A little help here?" He asked weakly before falling to the ground.
Vinyl watched as Warp ran over and knelt down, she watched as the mare checked Storm's wounds. "Good news, he'll be fine in a few hours." She stated.
Storm chuckled and looked up at everyone. "Sure.....I'll be just fine, but Pinkamena....not much chance for her is there?" He wondered.
Quartz looked at Pinkamena, and she immediately knew that Storm was right, the mare was going pale, and her heart rate was decreasing steadily. "We need to get her some medical attention." She said.
"Won't work." Storm quickly pointed out. "By the time you find something or someone to patch her up, it will be too late." He said.
Scootaloo looked at Storm. "Then what?.....your talking like you have an idea." She asked.
Storm nodded. "The altar, if we can get Pinkamena to the altar, we have a shot at bringing her back, however......" He went silent.
Vinyl held her chest as another shot of pain coursed through it. "What's the catch?" She asked.
Storm looked at his mother with a small smirk. "We have to sacrifice someone......we do that, we can revive her." He then looked over his shoulder and saw rubble moving. "And I think I found our sacrifice." He mentioned quietly.
Everyone looked at where Storm was looking, and they saw the exact same thug who collapsed them in, and who slit Pinkamena's throat, Warp quickly teleported over and knocked the guy out.
Storm chuckled and fell back unconscious, exhausted from the whole ordeal. 'Maybe a little sleep will help.' He thought to himself.
_____*later.*_____
Storm opened his eyes and sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. "How long was I out?" He asked, not that he was totally fine, he still had an enormous headache, but it was bearable now.
Vinyl knelt down next to him. "We found the altar, but it's smashed up, we need you to get back up and help, seeing as you know how to use the damn thing.....somehow." She said before walking off.
Storm stood up and looked around, apparently, everyone except Pinkamena had been hard at work clearing the area around the altar, the entire area was in ruins, and some of the trees were inside the ruins now.
Storm noticed that the altar was missing a statue, but he eventually sighed and walked over.
After a while of working on the altar and such, Storm began to chant at the altar with Demise on it along with Pinkamena and the thug behind him.
Storm felt extreme pain course through him, but he continued to chant through it, after a few moments of chanting, two streams of magic flowed out of the altar, they flickered for a moment, but Storm forced them to hold together, the magic streams enveloped the thug and Pinkamena and they rose into the air.
Demise then rose up as well, soon enough, it aimed directly at the thug, it then flew it him and pierced his heart, it then pulled out and impaled him in the head.
Storm continued to chant, and as he did, the streams of magic strengthened, the one then began to work its magic.....literally, it drained all remaining life from the thug and then channeled it to Pinkamena, Storm continued to chant, soon, Pinkamena lowered to the ground and landed on the broken altar, completely healed.
Storm stopped chanting, he opened his eyes and looked at Pinkamena, he sighed sadly as the mare changed back to how she was before, her hair went back to its normal puffed up state, and her coat reverted to its normal bright pink.
Storm looked away, he didn't see Vinyl pick the unconscious mare up with her magic, he didn't even see the altar completely colapse. 'Looks like I couldn't even do this.......how did this go so wrong?' He wondered.
He heard Vengeance speak. "The mare was dead anyway, the altar simply did what it could by bringing the other side of her back, that's all.
Storm looked up at the now darkening sky. 'I know that......but i wish I could have done better, if I hadn't been so hasty, we could have killed them all before something happened.'
"These are the consequences of your actions, you must live with them, no matter what." Vengeance reminded. "Now get up, we have to get going.....after all, I have a plan in motion, and you WILL follow it." He ordered.
Storm blinked and stood up. 'Fine, but don't even think that I'll let you kill my mom, or that I won't kill your friends.' He pointed out.
Vengeance only laughed quietly. "Go ahead and think that, after all, it will only be a matter of time before something else pops up that you need to intervene." He mocked.
For some reason, Storm didn't seem bothered by this, instead he smiled for a brief second before following the others out of the ruins.
Storm sighed as he looked at the town, they had parted ways with Trixie, and Storm's injuries hadn't healed, the headache was gone, but he couldn't use his wing or his left hoof, everyone else had mostly healed up, and had rushed into town, eager to put this behind them.
The only one that made Storm sad, was Pinkie Pie, she had absolutely no memory of anything that happened as Pinkamena, no memory of the nightmares, or even the last week before she became Pinkamena, which saddened Storm as he had grown fond of the quiet version of the party mare.
Vinyl, the only one who stayed, looked back at her son, who was riding on her back. "Will you be alright?" She asked with concern.
Storm nodded wordlessly, he would still remember this, but even Vengeance was quiet, which was bad as he was always talking to Storm.
Vinyl sighed and looked at the town and then back at her son. "Storm, I know I don't say this a lot....but I'm sorry." She said genuinely.
Storm looked at his mother silently, but he soon spoke. "You have nothing to be sorry for, it wasn't your fault, but thank you." He said before going back to his blank stare.
Vinyl started walking down to the town, but as she did, she talked to Storm. "You know how I told you I was moving here?" She asked.
"Yea." Storm replied as he blinked.
"Well, i have a place in town now, and seeing as you can't fly, i would love to have you there, if your ok with it." Vinyl continued.
"Ok." Storm answered calmly.
Vinyl watched as she saw Warp confuse a stall vendor with a vanishing act. "You have some strange friends.....if you'd like, I can offer them a place to stay?" She wondered.
"Whatever works." Storm answered blankly, clearly lost in thought.
Vinyl sighed and soon they found a park bench, she then sat him down on the bench and sat down next to him, he looked down at the ground while she looked at him. "Listen Storm.....I get it, you lost a friend, and that's horrible, but you can't let this keep you down, I know you." She got off the bench and raised his face to look her in the eye. "Your strong.....strongest person I know, and I know you had a crappy hand dealt to you, but you need to make it count." She said calmly.
Storm closes his eyes and looked back down at the ground. "I know that." He replied.
Vinyl gave Storm a gentle hug, being careful not to touch his wing or hoof. "You'll see, one day, you just might be able to start over, maybe even move on, but not today, and certainly not tomorrow." She raised his head again, and his eyes opened, purple this time. "One day, alright?" She said with a small smile.
Storm closed his eyes and Vinyl picked him up again. "M-mom?" He asked, as though he wasn't used to saying the words. "How did you handle it?.....being away from Prowler?" He asked.
Vinyl smiled and walked around town. "It's tough with us both traveling so much, but we made a pact you see." She answered.
"Pact?" Storm wondered curiously.
Vinyl chuckled. "Yep, a pact.....one that kept us both going." She replied.
Storm wanted to know more, but for now, he would let it rest. "Ok." She said quietly.
____*later, Sugarcube Corner.*____
Vinyl and Storm sat down together as they waited on their order. "You know I don't have a big sweet tooth, right?" Storm wondered.
Vinyl rolled her eyes. "Believe me, something sweet usually helps to keep your mind off things, it might not be good for you, but it's better than being depressed all of the time.....while its good to get those negative thoughts out of your system, it's better to hold off until you are more focused, at least in my experience." She explained.
Storm changed his eyes to white for a moment and quickly changed them back. "Still having difficulties?" Vinyl asked.
Storm nodded, ever since the temple, he hadn't been able to use any of his powers, and he felt much weaker than when he normally drained himself, In fact, he was drained right now, so when Rainbow Dash walked over and saw Storm grayed out, she was surprised. "What happened to you bud?" She asked.
Storm chuckled, seemingly back to his old self for a while. "Got into a bad fight, overdid it, drained myself right out, now I'm a cripple." He replied.....only to get lightly whacked by a magic.....spoon? "What the?" He wondered.
Vinyl dispelled the spoon. "Sorry about that, what he actually meant to say was.....he screwed up, and now he's lying to cover it up." She said, going with the ruse.
Storm sighed and rubbed his forehead. "That'll do it." He added.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, but then her gaze turned to Vinyl. "You look familiar." She said.
Vinyl grinned. "Normally I have purple shades, and are playing music." She replied.
Rainbow Dash's eyes widened slightly, she put her arm around Storm and whispered. "How did you get to know Dj-Pon3 personally!....it's crazy!" She whispered.
Storm chuckled and lowered his voice. "Uh......I'll tell you later In a not so public place." He answered.
"Anyway, I hear you two are like siblings, that true?" Vinyl asked.
Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yep, for a pretty long time too, oh well, I got to go, see you!" She then walked out.
Soon enough, their order was done, and Vinyl was getting up. "Wait here, I'll get our order." She said as she headed to the counter.
Storm narrowed his eyes at his mischievous mother. 'As if I could leave.' He thought.
"You know, when you two talk, it makes me want to vomit!" Storm heard Vengeance say.
Storm closed his eyes. 'Shut up, it's none of your business!' He snapped back.
Vinyl soon returned with their order, a couple of muffins for them both, but as they went to leave, Storm couldn't help but wonder something. 'Where are the others?' He wondered.
____*later that day, 12:23 PM.*____
Warp laid back on a hill, simply watching the clouds go by slowly, she chuckled as she remembered the clouds back home. 'Artic clouds, impossible to control or contain, even more so to predict.'
She closed her eyes and simply dozed off, content to lay there in the grass.
Eventually, she heard footsteps approaching and she opened her eyes and sat up, she looked over at the source of the footsteps and saw Scootaloo in her Pegasus form. "You weren't kidding, you are tiny." She pointed out.
Scootaloo sighed and shifted to her tiger form, her arms now crossed. "I just talked with Quartz, she wants to meet you here later around three, that's all I have to say." She said before shifting forms and flying off.
Warp blinked and shrugged. "Why not, it'll be better than waiting around doing nothing." She muttered.
____*later that day, 3:00 PM*____
Warp looked around the hill area, it was still populated by people, but even more so now that there were kids out of school, which made her chuckled because Scootaloo technically missed a LOT of school.
She walked around more and eventually found Quartz.....and someone who had a near identical appearance, the only reason you could tell the actual difference between them was that Quartz apparently had a haircut, as her hair now barely reached her shoulder.
Warp approached and sat down. "Hey Quartz." She greeted.
Quartz smiled. "Hey Warp." She replied, she then looked at the other mare. "Fluttershy, this is my best friend Warp, Warp, this is Fluttershy......my daughter." She introduced.
Warp reached her hoof out, Fluttershy slowly shook it. "Um...hello." The mare said quietly, Warp blinked. "You know something odd, if you were just an inch taller, you would pretty much be the exact same way that Quartz was when I first met her." She said randomly.
The three then got into a long talk, with one shy one, a reckless one, and a semi-patient one, it made for an interesting talk.
____*Later that day, Vinyl's new home, 4:00 PM*____
Storm looked around the house, it was a simple one story house with three rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room, the walls were a light brown, but he didn't mind, thankfully, he was glad to be out of the clouds.
He had told Rainbow Dash what his relationship with Vinyl was, and it had taken a full four minutes just to calm her down, he had also explained he would be staying with Vinyl now, and the situation with the wing and hoof, and that he would get his stuff down to Vinyl's when he could.
Rainbow had taken it rather well, but warned them about Pinkie, that she would somehow surprise them with a 'welcome to Ponyville' party for Vinyl.
Storm couldn't move still but he was still surprised when he saw his old nemesis.......the wheelchair, his eyes twitched as Vengeance laughed. "Why the wheelchair?" He asked.
Vinyl looked back at him and picked him up in her magic. "I can't carry you everywhere, and you need a form of transportation until your hoof heals, which in case you forgot.....the Manehattan Doctor told us would not heal for, let's see, Three weeks and two days." She looked triumphantly at Storm.
Storm sighed and grumbled as he was placed in the wheelchair. "You have no idea how much grief one of these things caused me and Sift after she had our daughter." He pointed out.
Vinyl looked at Storm. "Ok look, the idea of kids being able to work and join the army at the age of ten was pretty unbelievable by itself, add the ability to marry legally at that age?....also unbelievable, but having a kid at that age?....impossible!" She countered.
Storm grinned and got settled in. "Strong words from one who's seen proof of it." He teased as he wheeled himself to one of the rooms.
Vinyl sighed, if anything was a saving grace, it was that the furniture from one of her other places was already here, so she had that, but she still needed to get a bed for two rooms, all she had was one bed and a cot, which was old and uncomfortable. 'Better if I have the cot, don't need to risk Storm's wing or hoof getting worse.'
Sadly, the Manehattan Doctor had been unable to properly examine Storm's wing, so they need to take him to the Ponyville Doctor, unless Storm had some magical cure hidden in his metaphorical pants.
Vinyl rubbed her eyes and sat down on the couch, she was just fine until now, as she realized something horrific......she was a parent, and now she would be expected to act like one. "This should be annoying." She muttered.
But even though it would be rough, Vinyl still smiled at one thing as she heard Storm complain about wheelchairs.
She had a son, she had Prowler, and now she could be there for them, when she couldn't before.
