The Dark Storm's Fallout, (See OOC!)

Noedig · September 22, 2015

QUESTIONS? WANT TO JOIN? GO TO THE OOC SECTION HERE!

Introducing Gale Storm.

This is a long background story in spoilers, read at your own pleasure and time. The more you know, the less confused you would be in the future of this RP. For those that have already read this, no need to read again. As long as you know who he is, that is all you need to know.

Gale Storm, a pegasus, grew up in the Everfree forest with another earth pony simply named Moss, an old pony who dedicated his life to research of the many, wonderful mysteries of the Everfree Forest. Until he found Gale Storm, who was only a small filly, left out in the woods. Moss saved him from the timber wolves, and took him under his care. Gale grew up well under his care until he was a teenager, Moss passed away a few years after he turned into a young stallion.
Gale, during his teenage life, was an intelligent, cheerful, and adventurous pony. Curious of the world, he only knew of Canterlot from the books. He never attended school, though he had already passed an advance test for a college.
Strangest thing is... His mark had never shown up for anything he seemed to be good at... He tried many things with no avail, and then tried to follow his instincts. But it never worked out. A lot of ponies made fun of him. He was frustrated and irritated, not because of the rude ponies, but because he cannot find his talent. He could race faster than the Wonderbolts ever could up to this day, he could study ancient languages fluently, he could even understand arguing by politics or science.
Athlete? No... Scientist? No... Nothing came up for him.

When he became a fully grown stallion, he gave up his attempt of finding his talent and joined Canterlot's military. 2 years in, this blank flank made Special Ops recognize him. Fast, smart, and efficient.
Tally McGruff, leader of the Special Ops, invited him in for a special mission. That special mission helped him gain the trust of the civilians under Luna's kingdom. They used to live in a chaotic order under some steward. Gale literally banished him from their territory, whose security was pretty uptight in order to get to him in the first place. The civilians were grateful to know that this pony saved them from a close call of falling out of the economy. This mission alone had him allured to the people. They weren't cruel or terrifying as the books he read before. He requested Tally McGruff to transfer him to the Lunar agents. Tally hesitated, because the Lunar agents are a very covert group that operate against the most deadly enemies of Equestria. Gale pleaded him, Tally eventually accepted it. Gale was now transferred once again, to the Lunar agents.

For 12 years, he protected the people while Princess Luna was still banished on the moon. Until one day... his supposed grandfather appeared before him. His name was Flacon de Maladie, a seemingly old unicorn who studied magic and science. This old pony had a little chat with him. Gale didn't understand why he was here... Flacon did not care about that. He simply told Gale that he wanted to kill him. Gale was briefly shocked that he openly said that and prepared to take him down... but it was too late. Flacon got to him before he tried. Gale was knocked out... and had been taken to an unknown location in a lab.
When he woke up, he wondered why he wasn't dead yet and asked him, then realized how younger this unicorn was... Flacon didn't answer that... he only said, "You're coming of age, my grandson... I'll make sure you don't get in my way!" He had prepared something to inject some kind of liquid in him... Gale was never, EVER more terrified in his entire life than this moment. Once it was injected, he felt pain worse than anything he ever felt. His body felt like it was burning, stinging, hammering of nails, and searing irons... all of which were ten times more painful than it sounded. Unknowingly, Gale sent a blast of electricity around him. Knocking back Flacon, the remaining stuff in the syringe was splattered, Flacon could no longer inject any more in him. Flacon fled the scene and wasn't seen again for a long time. Gale was out of control. His mind was in pieces. Insane thoughts only thought of in pain were flashing by... the laboratory was destroyed by the energy and electricity coming out of his body.
Screaming out with agony, he couldn't control himself anymore. His body went on its own. He flew in the air as fast as he could.
Lightnings clashed, thunders rolled, the earth shook in terror as it went all out, destroying any trees and rocks it touched. Gale was in the dark clouds. Still screaming. His left eye started glowing brightly white. All the lightnings struck him. It couldn't hurt him for some reason. The pain was suddenly, seemingly gone after the lightning struck him... Thunder and lightning stopped, then he fell unconscious from high in the air... he would surely fall to his death. Suddenly, rays of light dissipated the dark clouds. Princess Celestia did this... She caught him by her magic powers from his fall and put him on the ground. She still had her magic on him. Gale Storm woke up sooner than she thought he would. She asked him if he's responsible for what happened in the area. He said nothing until he recalled his grandfather, kidnapping Gale and injecting something horribly painful in him. He told her that. Celestia wasn't sure, but she was prepared to let him go, just not yet.
She asked for his name, he then told her his name. Her eyes widen, she knew who this pony was. She put him down, recognizing that this is her sister's kingdom hero.
Gale tried to stand, but failed. It only resulted in agony and electricity sparking out of his skin. He could not stand for the time being. Celestia asked him what this unicorn's name was, just to be sure. To make sure she heard him clearly, he said his name "Flacon de Maladie."
Celestia also knew who that was... and despised at the words he spoke. She decided to bring him with her to be taken care of.
For a week, he was hospitalized until he could stand. Celestia came in to greet him once more to her castle. Gale thanked her for her kindness. Princess Celestia noticed that this pony is very special, like Twilight Sparkle, whom she'll know in the far future. Princess Celestia had asked him if he knew who Flacon de Maladie was. He did not, only that Flacon claimed to be Gale's grandfather. Celestia agreed that it's possible. His existence in Equestria is a threat to everyone who lived peacefully. She told Gale a lot about Flacon. Who he was and what he did, and what he planned to do. Gale Storm was more disappointed than he was curious about this unicorn. Flacon de Maladie is evil. Gale only shakes his head even today knowing that unicorn... Celestia also explained to Gale of his current situation. Apparently, he had developed the ability to generate energy and electricity... Gale asked if it was because of what was injected in him. Celestia said her scientists are convinced that it has been like that long before he had it in his system. Gale was curiouser and curiouser about his past than he ever used to... what is he?
With that aside, Princess Celestia really appreciated that he helped her sister's people greatly in their dark time, she offered him the title as Steward of Princess Luna's kingdom. He was stunned... he had never thought he could be given such an honor. He gladly accepted her offer...

10 years passed, Luna's kingdom had been peaceful since he's been Steward. He had shown great diplomacy with Canterlot's kingdom. Everything he came up with had been truly fair for both kingdoms. 10 good years... until Flacon de Maladie came back to finish what he started.

One night, out of nowhere, Flacon invaded Canterlot, crashing the main hall like a cannonball. Everyone from anywhere within 100 miles could have heard it. Gale was in Canterlot at the time... Flacon knew he was here and also looked to get two birds with one stone... Gale Storm and the Princess. Gale encountered Flacon once again, armed to the teeth... Gale's eyes were threatening enough to scare the mightiest dragon alive... Flacon never saw that look before... Flacon only smiled and said Gale would make the best heir to his ideal world. Gale Storm could care less... Flacon didn't care.. and went at him at fast velocity. Gale was prepared this time and countered Flacon's speed with his own wings. All of Canterlot's citizens were already awake and confused by what's been going on. Only flashling lines of two differently-colored lights were at it against each other at incredible speed.

Lightning against fire, Gale drew him away from Canterlot so that he could fight him without causing too many casualties. It worked. Gale had been practicing his new-found powers Celestia told him about for those ten years, and he learned a lot about himself and his past during that time... but Flacon knew more about the family tree, Gale missed a few branches from his parents. Flacon de Maladie was beating him, he had more experience with his powers than Gale did... Flacon was absolutely vicious, so Gale couldn't fight him back enough with the resolve he had... In fact, aside from the people of Luna's kingdom and Princess Celestia's, he never had anything more personal to fight for... no loved one, no parents... no siblings... Flacon was enjoying this beating... and told him in his face... "Once I'm done with you... I'm going after your baby brother and sister... your parents had been missing until I found them out yesterday, though the babies weren't with them, I got rid of those two... but right now, I'm having a very, VERY good time tonight!"

In Gale Storm's mind, he was happy to know he had two more siblings... He wanted to know them. He wanted to protect them... That resolve had increased tenfold.
"No..." Gale Storm said to Flacon de Maladie. "Not tonight. Not EVER!"
Power surged within him... he felt more rage than he did when he saw him... he blasted him out of his grasp. Flacon wavered... he scoffed, thinking that was a fluke... until he looked at Gale's face in shock.
Gale's face was now flooded, with what used to be dormant of, with rage, his brows furrowed in a cruel way you'd be scared of forever, and his mouth was gritted, baring his teeth like it was Flacon's last breath before he dies.
"You're going to regret everything you ever did... right... now." Gale rumbled the sentence. The second he said "now," he was already at top speed towards him. Flacon faltered in reacting after seeing Gale's resolve. Gale had him by the throat and headbutted him hard three times to disorientate the unicorn's magic casting. Gale flew up immediately, summoning the dark clouds.
"Lightning will clash..." Gale said to Flacon. Lightning clashed. Flacon shook his head. Unable to think of escaping. "Thunder will roll... Everything you have done will be judged here."
Thunder was felt from the air to the grounds near Canterlot.
"Lightning is clashing..." Gale said to Flacon. Lightning surrounded them nearly touching them many times. "No! What do you think you're doing?!" Flacon said out of confusion. Still unable to cast any spell.
"Thunder is rolling around you..." Gale said to Flacon, Gale closed his eyes... thunder growing louder and louder. Flacon screamed. "NO! STOP IT!"
"What you will see..." Thunder and lightning immediately stopped in unnatural timing in the dark clouds as Gale said the final line, opening his left eye that was flashing brightly in Flacom de Maladie's face... "... Will be the only thing to fear."
It was too late for Flacon to scream for mercy... Thousands of lightnings struck them both. Endless thunders vibrated ferociously around them. Celestia and her citizens were witnessing this dark cloud clashing within itself from a great distance... in awe of what's happening. Gale felt no pain from the lightning he's caused...

After a full minute, Gale slowly stopped... lightning and thunder died out. The dark clouds have dissipated... Gale flew down with his grandfather's unconscious body. It seems he's under a paralytic shock. He's also gone blind...
Flacon de Maladie had been defeated... Gale fell and laid on his back on the ground, tired from what had happened...
Princess Celestia had appeared before him eventually, seeing Flacon laying near him, still unconscious.
"You've had more resolve than you did before..." Princess Celestia said to him. "What has caused you more resolve, Gale Storm?"
Gale smiled weakly and softly spoke to her. "Siblings."
Finally, after 42 years of his life... he had developed his mark.
His mark portrays a gray cloud with lightning and energy crossed together, with a gale wind over and round the clouds.
Some days later, he had found out his parent had already passed away... however, he found his baby siblings.
One named Hail Storm, aged 2 years, an earth pony. And Snow Storm, aged 3 years, a unicorn.
He took them under his care in Luna's kingdom.
Flacon de Maladie's arrest was unknown to many ponies, because they never encountered him before. But Gale's heroism was displayed to all, all shown by Princess Celestia.
3 years afterwards, Twilight was already born. 2 years afterwards, Gale had already made a great reputation and dedication to the protection of her Majesty and her sister's people. He had been greatly honored the title as Duke of Canterlot. This was given to no one out of the royal tree until Gale Storm was given the title.
This has been Gale Storm's background story. From his beginning to the middle his of life. He's far from old, for he's no ordinary pony.

And now, to Gale Storm-- the Dark Storm... his fallout.

This Roleplay will be following Gale Storm, the protagonist of this story that we will create along the way, as he is going to experience a sudden, excessive amount of depression and fatigue from over the many, many years he had developed unknowingly.

In this story, the following characters, so far, will be introduced... Gale Storm, Snow Storm, Hail Storm, and Snow Storm's daughter, Silver Line.

Through the land of Equestria, lies a castle built on the side of the Mountains. This castle, this kingdom... is Canterlot.

This time takes place seventeen years after Princess Twilight had become Princess of Friendship...

Gale Storm was still Duke of Canterlot, aged 92.

Though he is not immortal, he is far from old, as he still looks as young as 30. Of all his youthful features, his eyes tell a different, older story, just so you know he's no simple fool.

Right now, he is waking up on a Sunday morning... he is as tired as a flower waking up from the sunlight. Rejuvenated... lighter than last night. He had been working endlessly on the diplomacy between the Changelings and Equestrians. Finding ways to make peace last longer and friendlier between two very different races. Though he wasn't just writing and compensating in this diplomacy. He had been taking real action into helping the two kinds, by helping the Changelings adapt to the environment, giving clarity to the ponies by visiting town to town, and holding competitions for sports that the two races can absolutely agree on.

It had taken him years to develop the peace he finally created for this society...

"At... long last." He sighed, relieved for the most part, "The day I create the bond between two races together... for a better future."

He got up, stretching, he was in the bedroom chamber where he's been settled for years since he became Duke.

He put on his very decorated, formal uniform. It showed his military honors, political influence, and ponies' respect.

This day, he's going to show off how much he truly cares by wearing this uniform he hasn't worn since the day after he became Duke...

He never liked wearing it, because he didn't feel like he deserved to wear it until he had done something more than significant for Equestria.

Right now, he felt it appropriate to wear it.

He had put on his uniform and coat. And walked out to breakfast at the dining hall.

He was treading down the hall with sincere joy.

He was at the dining hall, where Princess Celestia, Prince Solar Flare, Princess Luna, Princess Lullaby and Darkness Knight, were dining.

"Good morning!" He said with a chipper attitude. A very unusual tone of voice he hadn't used in... well, decades. "I'm looking forward to signing off that treaty and shaking hooves with Queen Chrysalis. We're getting close. So close."

He took a seat down provided by the servants assistance, he thanked him and asked for whatever they'd like to give him.

"How are you all, anyway?" He asked.

PrinceoftheNight · September 23, 2015

Luna and Darky were sitting together as always as they ate. They were having a small salad each other, having a happy and lovingly moment, even if the rest of the family was there. Darky grabbed his fork with his magic and booped Luna with it.

Luna giggled at that and nuzzled him in his cheek with her dirty nose. Darky giggled at that. All this just looked quite adorable.

Lullaby giggled a bit at what their parents did. She was sitting next to Solar since he was her cousin and one of her closest friends. She was eating hay sandwich, as well as some fries with it.

As Gale walked in, Lullaby turned to him. "Morning! You look rather happy today." Lullaby said smiling

Luna and Darky kept playing with each other happily, even as they talked. They were a bit focused on each other right now.

AlextheAngel · September 23, 2015

Solar had been sitting somewhat quietly next to Lullaby, every once in a while laughing and taking part in a conversation with her and Celestia, who was sitting on the other side of Lullaby. However, whenever the Alicorn prince was pulled into a conversation, he seemed a little.... distant. This did not escape Celestia's gaze, though she did not see it fit to question it. As Gale walked in, Solar looked up from his plate and waved. "Hey Gale!"

Celestia also looked up and smiled. "Why, hello Gale! You really do look rather happy." She said, gesturing to a seat near them.

A few seconds later, Alex emerged from his room and made his way to the dining room. He was nicely dressed, but he looked rather tired. The young child rubbed his eyes a bit and yawned. "Daddy's off delivering something in Ponyville." He said, not yet noticing Gale in his rather groggy state.

BraveShield · September 23, 2015

thunder was still asleep in her and zeds room

brave walked into the dining hall, his greying mane nicly combed as he sat in his usual spot

he had been asked to join the royal family in the castle once he had retired and he had happily agreed

"morning everypony" he said

Noedig · September 24, 2015

"I'm happier than I anticipated." He responded to them. He saw Alex come in, he decided to greet him.

"Good morning, Alex!" He said, face glowing steadily. "What is he delivering, I wonder?"

The waiter brought him haycon strips, salad with balsamic vinaigrette, and a fine mix of passion and cherry fruit juice.

"Thank you." Gale said, then began eating his breakfast.

As he was eating, he had a slight headache for a second... not sure what it was, but he supposed that's what would happen after a long day's work from yesterday.

Rubbing his head for a moment, he resumed eating breakfast. No problem, apparently.

Then Brave walked in.

"Good morning, Brave!" He said.

AlextheAngel · September 25, 2015

Solar said nothing more as he continued eating, which earned a confused glance from Celestia. However, when Alex walked in, Solar looked up and gave the child a little wave, but still kept silent. Celestia sighed and smiled at the winged child. "Well, hello there, little one." She said. "It's about time you woke up. I'm seeing a bit of dark under your eyes. Are you all right?" Over the past five years of knowing Alex, she had grown deeply attached to him, just as she had with Zed. However, she did not like to think of herself as a grandmother, despite how old she was. Luckily, little ten-year-old Alex had not called her that, somehow suspecting how uncomfortable she was with the title.

"I'm fine, Tia. Just a restless night is all." Alex replied, before yawning again. He turned to Gale, a smile beaming on his young face. "Hi, Gale! Daddy said he was off delivering a brand new stereo to a mare named Vynal in Ponyville. I wonder when he'll be back..." One of the waiters pulled up a chair for him at the table, bringing out a variety of different foods. The child sighed a bit. "He's always busy."

PrinceoftheNight · September 27, 2015

Lullaby smiled after seeing Alex walk in. "Hello little one." She said smiling to him as she waved to him and patted beside her so he sat there with her. She then saw that she sat in a chair for him, so she walked with him and sat with him.

Darky giggled and kissed Luna on her nose before turning around. "Hello Alex." He said smiling also.

Luna giggled at Darky'a kiss a bit and looked to Gale. "Tell us, why were you so happy when you walled in? I know there is more to what you said."

Noedig · September 27, 2015

Gale Storm finished his breakfast. He tidied himself then cleaned his lips.

He responded to Luna.

"The day I began the peace diplomacy for the changelings was ten years ago." He said. "Slowly, but surely, it progressed better. It was a very difficult start, but now everything is smoother than milk. The dedication I put into this has been worth it."

He sighed a bit then.

" I'm also happy about this... family." He said. "It's always a pleasure to be a part of this family. I only just realized that a few days ago."

He got up, he was about to go off to attend the meeting event for changelings and ponies.

"It's been a good breakfast, I will see you all at the event!" He said, bowed, and left for the event.

The event was located in the Canterlot courtyard. On his way there, he was in a long hallway, no pony else but him was walking through this way.

Suddenly, the headache he felt earlier felt a lot worse than it did before.

"Ah!" He winced in pained. It ringed loudly, his head also felt like it was vibrating as if it were an earthquake. The ringing and rumble was the first thing he felt ever... he never felt this pain before.

It receded momentarily. He started to feel better again... though he wasn't sure what it was. He had no time to check this out, the event was about to begin, so he couldn't be late for it. He decided to press on, hoping to deal with this after the event.

He thought to himself that he should really lay off with the all-week awake habit...

The event consisted of changeling hierarchy and commoners, and royal pony hierarchy and commoners.

Queen Chrysalis was looking forward to this meeting. Her attitude towards the greed of love has been degrading after many failed attempts. Before she gave up her evil ways, she saw so little of what love could truly do, if she wasn't so focused on stealing it. She sees now that love is earned, and given freely. She's been trying her best to do right, and lately it has been going very well. She's less feared than she was before, thank to Gale's assistance.

Both sides were enjoying conversations from each other. Strange cultures, different perspectives... it was all very interesting for the both of them.

Gale, Princess Celestia, and Queen Chrysalis eventually got together on a platform, about to sign together on this treaty that proves the peace between the changelings and ponies.

Before that, Queen Chrysalis and Gale had a little speech to give before they signed this.

Gale held a bell, ringing it to get their attention. Moments passed, everypony were silent and were focused on the three ponies on the platform.

Gale raised his hoof to thank them for their attention.

"Thank you for coming here." He said.

"As you all know, we've come a long way to get to this point. The point in where both sides are not looking at each other in fear of what the other could do...

"Now that we know what the changelings are in their true selves, they're not terrifying. They're wonderful creatures. They communicate through telepathy, they can change forms, and do many things as one. They're at their best together, they have each others backs. They understand cooperation and family. This is something we have in common. We can do many things, we have many talents abroad around the world, we also do many things as one. We're at our best together, we have each others backs. We understand cooperation and family.

"Signing this... we can all agree that we, both ponies, are at our best together... that we will have each others backs... because we understand cooperation, by being a family. A family that any and all creatures that belong in this world."

Queen Chrysalis had smiled genuinely at Gale's speech... so she replied in response.

"I appreciate the Duke's dedication. His effort was never in vain. We were difficult to deal with... Gale hadn't given up on us. He, among the very, very few ponies, truly wanted to understand us and help us become allies with all you ponies of Equestria.

"I never appreciated love for what it truly is, I took what I wanted... it never worked out well in the end. I gave that up years ago now... And earning it was hard. Gale, being a dear friend, gave his time to help me through that difficult time. I have never seen such sincerity. I thought ponies were weak, manipulative, and inferior... we thought that they couldn't possibly understand our culture. In the beginning, Gale Storm had a few companions in the diplomacy. Most of them gave up weeks later... we were so stubborn and cruel to them. Gale hadn't given up. He showed us clarity about the ponies for what they truly are. All were unique and special in their own way. And any pony that were weak, had some great strength in other things... since then, I slowly began to change our ways. We've met some challenges from the rebels, but they were taken care of.

"We, the Changelings, have never felt more alive than we do today... we're all so happy to be here, because now we don't have to view each other as enemies, but as friends and family... with this treaty, we hereby agree to honor and cherish the peace between both of us. And hope for the best in the future."

Now, it was Princess Celestia's turn to respond...

AlextheAngel · September 28, 2015

Celestia stood in between the two, listening intently to their speeches. As soon as they were finished, a smile was almost plastered upon her face. This was indeed a happy time for everyone. She looked out among all the others that had decided to attend, including Solar and Alex, the latter of whom giving curious glances at Queen Chrysalis. No doubt that the boy had never seen a Changeling before, much less a Changeling Queen.

"Mares and gentlecolts of Canterlot..." Celestia began. "I cannot begin to explain how ecstatic I am to finally put an end to this meaningless conflict, and finally join together as the family we all should be. Of course, the scars from old wounds will remain. But over time, those scars will eventually fade, and we will all be able to start anew. I do realize that some out there will refuse to accept this new change, and who still cling on to the old memories of our past relationship with the Changelings. But eventually, I hope we will see a change in heart, and everypony will be able to accept them for who they are now, rather than who they used to be. I for one, have forgiven Queen Chrysalis for everything she has done in the past, and hope that we can work towards a brighter future. For if we do not learn to accept our differences, then however can we have peace?" She continued glancing out toward the attendees, still smiling. "I would like to give Gale Storm, The Duke of Canterlot, a very special thanks for all of his hard work and dedication that played a large roll in discovering this new era of peace." With a levitation spell, she held up a white quill. "Let us decide that by signing this treaty, we can all join forces as one, and never fear each other's differences again." With that, she signed her name.

Zed arrived during the middle of Celestia's speech. But rather than taking his stand up front like usual, he stood at the back of the crowd with his arms crossed, staring at the ground. Every once in a while he would glance up toward his son, then shoot a few venomous glares at Chrysalis, but other than that, he refused to make eye contact with anypony. Of course, he had silently forgiven Chrysalis for what she did all those years ago, but those old wounds still remained. He still could not help but feel uneasy with the fact that the Changelings would now be living amongst the same ponies that they used to despise so much. Of course, he wanted nothing more than for Alex to grow up in a peaceful world. But at the same time, it worried him.

My son is going to be growing up with the same ponies that tried to kill me...

BraveShield · September 28, 2015

A pony nudged zeds side

Once he looked he saw it was thunder "I had a feeling you would be back here" she whispered as she hugged him before she sat next to him

"Speaking of feelings, what's wrong?" She asked noticing his bad mood towards the stage

Brave walked out onto the balcony that the lunar family were sitting on

"How much did I miss lullaby?" He asked as his old bones poped from him moving to her

PrinceoftheNight · September 28, 2015

Lullaby turned to Brave. "Just the whole speech, not that much." She said giggling to Brave, trying to sound a bit sarcastic but silly.

Luna was sitting between Lullaby and Darky. She smiled and clapped her hooves after the speeches were over. She was happy that finally the relationships between the changelings and Equestria were getting better. She turne around and noticed how Zed was. She didn't blamed him for feeling like that, but he should get past what happened. All this was for the best.

Noedig · September 28, 2015

Queen Chrysalis signed her name after Princess Celestia, and Gale Storm after her.

The treaty has become official.

How glad Gale was, to finally sign it. Queen Chrysalis put her right hoof on Gale's shoulder to thank him once again, then showed her right hoof once again to shake Celestia's hoof.

The crowd applauded, cheering for the peace, Changelings and ponies alike.

Gale decided to come down the platform. If anypony had any questions or anything to say to him, he was there.

He couldn't see Zed, as he was far back behind the crowd. He assumed he wasn't here. He knew that Zed still had mistrust towards her and her ponies... he couldn't blame him, it wasn't his fault. However, Chrysalis gave it up, and was ready to accept the consequences if it ever came to her...

A few royal and common ponies gathered around Gale and Queen Chrysalis to congratulate on their effort.

Among the crowd, somewhere in the middle... this young mare tried to get through to meet up with the Duke. She had a fine, silver mane and tail, some curly and silky, with other parts curved in some directions in spikes. Her pelt was light grey, with some generous hints of grey dotted marks on her legs and flank. her eyes were brazen gold, quite much like Gale Storm's eyes, except they're softer for the ponies to look at.

She was a subtle young pegasus, aged 16... who this is, we'll find out soon enough.

She made her way through the crowd, finally to find Gale Storm standing next to Queen Chrysalis.

Gale hadn't noticed her yet, as she was behind him. She placed her hoof on him, to surprise him for some reason... Gale turned to see who it was, concerned to know who'd get so close without some warning.

He made a concerned glare at the perpetrator... he looked at her, she looked a bit worried that she shouldn't have done that... he looked at her for 4 seconds... then he softened his glare with a welcoming look.

"Silver!" He said.

She was relieved. "Hello, uncle! Missed me?" She said.

This is Silver Line, Gale's niece, Snow Storm's daughter. She had been out of Canterlot to find her talent... and she found it already.

8 years ago, She had her very own quest to find her cutie mark. Her parents had no intention in this, for this was Silver Line's idea. Silver Line was tired of living the luxurious life, and wanted to go out and find something to do. As for what, she didn't know... and that was the point.

Brave Shield and Snow Storm didn't like this very much, she was a filly back then.

She much appreciated what they had in mind to say, but her mind was made up, no adult could force her... so, she left one day... without their consent. Leaving her younger brother as well, who was 6 at the time,

Gale Storm was surprised to see her. he hugged her. "What happened to you? How have you been? Do your parents know you're here?" He asked.

"Great things happened... I'm well! No, but I intend to meet them soon, I don't know where they are at the moment... but I saw you first." She said. "Did... did you just make peace with the Changelings?"

"Yes I did." Gale said with a smile, he showed her Queen Chrysalis. "This is Queen Chrysalis. Queen Chrysalis, this is my niece."

Chrysalis gave a friendly wave. "What is your name, young mare?"

Silver Line didn't notice her... she intended to meet her uncle... what a surprise.

She bowed for a moment. "My name is Silver Line, your highness... pleased to meet you!"

"Lovely name!" She said with a friendly face. A royal guard came by to Chrysalis to give her a message. He told her some other ponies would like to have an audience with her. She complied.

"It was nice meeting you, Silver Line." She said. "Excuse me, Gale. I have some curious ponies to discuss with."

"By all means. See you another time." He said. She left them and went to meet them.

"So..." Silver said... trying to think of what to say. "How have you been doing?"

"Pretty well, actually. I'm happy." He replied.

She seemed a little surprised he was happy... last time she saw him he never looked cheerful, as if he was struggling, from what she saw.

"That's a relief..." She said.

"Why?" He asked.

"I mean, no offense, uncle, but last time I saw you, you always looked like you were... struggling. You never showed it, but one time, when no pony else except me was looking... you looked like you were struggling really hard." She said carefully.

He didn't know she saw him showing his true expression at the time. "Yes, that's true. That was years ago... I've been feeling better lately, though." He said, trying to assure her. She seemed a bit convinced, but not entirely sure. For some reason...

He put his right foreleg around her, and his left to gesture a direction. "Why don't we find your parents? They'll be so overjoyed to find you here. Shall we?"

"Sure, uncle Gale." She said, thankful for his help.

They walked around the crowd to find Snow Storm and Brave Shield... somewhere, they should be together... Gale spotted them... on the balcony.

"This way." He said, guiding her upstairs to meet them on the balcony.

_______________________

Snow Storm was behind Brave Shield, following him. to the balcony.

"I'm happy for my dear brother, he found the way to make peace with the Changelings!" She said. "10 years may not have affected his age, but it surely must've taken some energy out of his life to make it happen."

Her longevity was longer than Brave Shield's own, but not as long as Gale's... She looked like she was 3, as her real age is 56.

They didn't notice who Gale was guiding into the building, the vision of the pony was obscured, but it was definitely a young mare.

"Well, I wonder who that could be?" She wondered to herself.

_______________________

Gale Storm and Silver Line finally reached the balcony door.

Gale looked at her. "You ready for whatever comes from them? Be it good or bad... perhaps both?"

"I can handle myself, thank you." She said, chuckling.

"Well, I have to go, my part in the event we're holding is done. See you again, I hope?" He said.

"Yes, I'll see you again later. Have a good day!" She said.

Gale left her to herself and went on his own way...

She held the doors and pulled it open.

Snow Storm looked behind her to find a young mare standing by the open door... she gasped.

"Silver!" She exclaimed.

"Mother!" She said, happy to see her.

Snow Storm hurriedly trotted towards her and hugged her, crying. "You're alright! We've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too." She cried, but not as much as her poor mother was.

_______________________

Since that headache, Gale Storm wanted to see if drinking some tea and some daytime rest would help.

So, he did... He undressed his uniform, ready to just take a break. He prepared himself some chamomile tea. and went to the gardens to find his personal cloud to sleep on.

He found a nice cloud to sleep on, so, before he went to it, he finished his tea, set it aside, and went to take the nap he feel is necessary...

The sunlight was bright and warm... a comfort for him to sleep under.... he settled in the cloud, and fell asleep immediately...

Everything is going well in the meeting, as Gale had hoped for.

But, something wrong was about to happen... to him.

AlextheAngel · September 30, 2015

Celestia smiled as the crowd erupted in a chorus of thunderous applause after they all signed the treaty. This was indeed a very happy day for them, and it was all thanks to Gale. She gladly answered any questions that were directed toward her, but it seemed that most of the attendees were more interested in having Gale answer their questions. Without much else to do, she smiled and stood where she was, watching out over the crowd and smiling to anypony that greeted her. As she scanned through the crowd though, she caught sight of Zed, who seemed to be staying in the back just barely out of sight, refusing to interact with any of the ponies aside from Thunder. Celestia let out a sigh. She would have to speak to him later about this...

She glanced up curiously when a rather young and peculiar-looking pony approached Gale from behind, attempting to surprise the Duke. Gale seemed rather surprised to see the pony and after an exchanging of words, he lead her towards the balcony. The princess sighed, guessing that the young mare was some sort of friend or family member. Shaking off the thought, she turned to Queen Chrysalis. "I'm so glad all of this conflict has come to an end. Wouldn't you agree? Look at how happy everypony is!"

Zed glanced to the side, a little surprised at the sudden nudge. He let loose a defeated sigh, placing an arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer to him. "It's nothing..." He said, knowing that he would probably put Thunder in a sour mood if he told her what was on his mind right now. He did not want to ruin the boisterous atmosphere with his passive aura, so he let Thunder go and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to head back to the castle for a bit. I... need to think." He said, before walking toward where Alex was.

The child's eyes lit up upon seeing him, and he waved frantically. "Hi, daddy!" He called over the laughter and mingling of the other ponies.

"Hey there, kid." Zed replied, ruffling the boy's hair. "I'm going to head to the castle for a bit, all right? Stay here with Uncle Solar, and later on I'll take you out for some ice cream. How does that sound?"

"Cool!" Alex squeaked, waving a bit as his father walked off.

Solar trotted up next to the boy, giving Zed a curious glance, before the young man disappeared into the crowd. He turned back to Alex with a smile. "So, what would you like to do until your father gets back?" He asked.

Alex looked around for a bit, before his eyes fell upon the stand, staring curiously at Chrysalis. He turned back to Solar. "Can I meet the Changeling Queen?"

Solar's smile faded, and he glanced nervously from the boy back to Chrysalis. "Um... I don't know..." He said. He remembered full and well what Chrysalis has done in the past. While he was not as passive as Zed was, he was still a little nervous around her... Not to mention whether or not Zed would approve of his son being anywhere near the same queen that had tried to manipulate him into taking over Equestria. Solar knew Zed very well, but his reactions to some things could be quite unpredictable. "Maybe in a little while. She seems a little busy..."

But Alex being too curious and innocent, was already making his way toward the stand.

"Hey, wait a second!" Solar called, trotting after him.

However, Alex was already on the stand, smiling politely at the Changeling Queen. He suddenly felt a little shy, given how much taller Chrysalis was than him, and how much more intimidating she looked, despite her peaceful demeanor. "H-hello..." He said.

BraveShield · October 1, 2015

Thunders expression sadden as he watched zed walk off

She then gave a heavy sigh and spread her wing to start flying to his and her room in the castle

Figuring she could meet him there or go to sleep

Brave turned

His expression a bit shocked as he saw they're daughter

His face started to turn red with anger but before he could start yelling he gave a heavy sigh an hugged both snow storm and silver line as a few tears rolled down his face "why did you have to go" he asked

PrinceoftheNight · October 1, 2015

Luna couldn't help but notice that Alex was with Chrysalis. She stood up and decided to go and make sure he didn0t screwed up anything.Relationships with the changelings had been quite hard and this was a grat advance, so if he did something wrong... also, she had to take care of him if he got lost. "Isn't he just adorable?" Luna said smiling as she approached Chrysalis and Alex. "Is good to see you Chrysalis." Luna said smiling to her as she stood beside Alex, then carried him and put him on her back so she could be at an aproxiate high to Chrysali's face. "This is Alex, Zed's son." She said as she looked to him.

Lullaby stood up and went with Solar. "Don't worry, mom will take good care of him." She said smiling as she walked to his side and smiled to him innocently. "Anyways, shall we go and say hi to her once they are done?" She asked solar smiling.

Darky, curiosity getting over him, decided to walk out and see what Zed was going to do. He knew all this was hard for him all this, so he had to help him. Once he found him, he trotted towards him. "Hey..." he said calmly as he walked behind him. "Are... you alright?" he asked him.

Noedig · October 1, 2015

"I still regret hurting this kingdom..." Chrysalis said in response. "But, I'm glad as well. Yes, I do agree, thank you, Princ--."

She interrupted herself as a small creature walked up to her. He looked like Zed, but without wings... She didn't know what to say... if it said anything.

It said hello. Seems like a boy... who is this?

"Uh. Hello, little one." She said, smiling, nice to know this little boy could talk.. Luna came up, mentioned this boy, Alex, is Zed's son.

"S-son?" She said, surprised. "You're his son? Well... it's good to meet you, Alex."

She didn't want to look threatening as she is taller than him.. so she lowered herself, bending her knees.

"It's a pleasure to meet you... but, I really must attend to some ponies... they have some important questions for me." She stood up, waved at Alex, about to head in a different direction for the inquirers. "Good day, Alex."

She turned, and walked away... her face was a bit shocked... and she felt a strong awkward feeling by meeting him...

Alex... the son of the angel, who she kidnapped.. and nearly killed out of greed. She's sure Zed wouldn't want him to meet her... she can feel it. So, to respect his hidden wish, she tried to keep distance from him.

Celestia followed, as it was the Queen and Princess summoned for the inquiry meters away from that group.

"I... I'm sorry, I can't talk to him." She said to her. "That's his son, my instincts tell me Zed wouldn't want me near his own son... I definitely understand and agree with that. For Zed's sake."

Suddenly, the some dark clouds have covered the sun... suddenly slightly colder, gustier, and raining.

"This... is unpredictably strange." She remarked.

All ponies were moving inside, for the upcoming thunder and rain made sure it's not safe to be outdoors.

_________________________

Silver Line shook her head a bit.

"I had to go, my guts told me that I needed to go somewhere... and look!" She said, revealing her cutie mark that she earned two years ago. "I've earned my cutie mark. I specialize in actualizing the good things out of the bad. Like... right now."

Having been missing for 8 years, they were really glad to see her. She was relieved that they weren't any different after she left.

Not realizing until now... she felt a few raindrops fall on her. She looked out towards the sky, now noticing dark clouds... it was getting intimidating for some reason.

"The weather forecast was wrong today?" She wondered.

_________________________

Gale Storm , now subconscious, was experiencing the same headache from the hallway... now tenfold. In his mind, he was dreaming. Or more precisely, a nightmare. Of what, we will soon find out...

Gale was wandering around some unknown ruins... these ruins were burning, recently extinguished by some rain. He doesn't know what this dream is about... all he knows is his head hurts. His head pulsed violently... the ruins are crumbling, as if it is being caused by a powerful tremor. Now his head was ringing, ringing in a heartbeat's pace. The outlines of everything is glowing and the sky darkens. He sees nothing but a strange, broken building, of unknown structure.. he couldn't piece together what the buildings would've looked like. He's in pain, clearly. He doesn't know why... it's definitely not because of some restlessness. This has been developing for years, hidden from himself. Just recently today, it shows itself... like a damned tumor. No, this is no tumor. It's not even natural... the headache faded, but the scenery is still the same.

"What is this?!" He cries out. He knows nothing of this place. He has no suppressed memories, so he doesn't understand what he's dreaming this for...

Suddenly, a ghostly voice, which was hoarse and... familiar? ... The voice whispered something inaudible at first.

"What's that?" Gale asked. "Who's whispering? Speak up!"

"... What... do..." The voice said.

"I can't hear you!" He said more sternly.

"... Is what... will do..." it spoke...

"I CAN'T HEAR--" He said, suddenly interrupted by a spitting image of himself... but different aspects of this creature has a darker, crueler feature, plus his pelt was differently colored, moss green pelt, and dark gray hair.

"THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL DO!" The dark pony spoke.

"Wh... who are you?" He asked, bewildered.

"What can speak as you speak, move as you move, feel as you feel, and always looks back?" It asked.

"... A mirror?" He answered. "Correct! No, I'm not a mirror." He spoke "I'm an evil entity..."

"You're not real." Gale said. The darker one shrugged. "Like I care what you'd say! You're dying, so what else isn't real?" Gale is confused... "Dying? Why?"

"Well..." he said, chuckling sickly. "I'm not dying... but, I do know what is." Even more confused, Gale was getting angry... "What is?"

"No! I don't need to tell you! That would just encourage your horrible salvation... because you don't deserve to live like this anymore!" He said. "Why?" Gale Storm demanded.

"No! Again, I said I don't need to tell you!" He growled. Gale scoffed. "Then why appear before me? In this.... place I've no idea of."

"Hah... yet." He chuckled sickly again.

"... Yet? For a secretive, evil entity, you sure are generous enough to give some foreshadowing." He countered. The entity chuckle turned into hysterical laughter. "It's so good to be consistent!"

Gale said nothing further... he examined his surroundings. All he still sees is some ruins... recently burned and dampened from rain... the smoke is unfamiliar as well. It's a strange smell... this could be useful for Gale. "Tisk, tisk..." The dark character mocked. He clapped his hoofs firmly, creating a vicious aura around the scenery.

Gale's head is pulsing even worse now. "ACK!" he cried in pain.

"It's so good to be consistent! Consistency makes you a better character!"

Gale's not sure what's with this evil entity. He makes no sense.

"Consistency is not your best forte... AH!" He said, still feeling the beating.

"It's so good to be honest!" He said. "It's so good! Give me more!" It cackled.

"Do you... feed on positive... ungh!... things?" Gale asked the dark monster.

"If I lived on it, wouldn't it be better if I were good too?" He asked back.

That made complete sense... what in Celestia is wrong with this monster? "Why... don't you?" Gale asked back at him.

"Aww... you really want to know?" He mockingly pitied him, approaching closer to Gale... Gale smelled something more realistically than the environment... Gale felt very disturbed. It smelled... wrong. The smell was coming from the entity... this smell wasn't pleasant or disgusting... it was pure frightening and evil.

"I... am worse than the worst opponent you have met before... eviler than the evilest monster you've known before. Death is under my hoof... because I'm the worst, evilest creature. Known by no one but you... I am not the origin of evil, that one was just a brat... actually, I'm the most evolved form of evil yet."

He chuckled. "In fact, I'm the worst, evilest monster. I don't exist without purpose! I exist for those like you!"

This monster is cryptic... "What...?" Gale said, in confusion.

"Ever wondered why your grandfather was..." He paused... chuckled sickly. "No, I have no idea!" He cackled.

"WHO ARE YOU?!" Gale said furiously, still in pain.

The darker creature instantly turned his head at him, no longer cackling...

"... Me? Well... consider me a message from the future... for you are about to be inevitably changed... thanks to me!" He said.

Gale just stared at him... a time traveler? His future self? All this confusing train of thoughts were rushing by him as his head ringed in pain, and tremors becoming more violent...

His vision had been shaky. He can't see properly anymore... it's all blurry and jittery.

The dark pony spoke for the last time, before Gale was about to wake up.

"What you'll do! Will be because of me! YOU!" He screamed.

Vision still shaking, the darker creature seemed to start growing in size... he was engorging Gale Storm... Gale screamed in pain.. in his dream no one could feel his true pain...

The pain was like no pain he felt before. No torture was this cruel... the pain... it wouldn't stop. He couldn't wake up.

'tHepAIn.iTfeedSOnmYgoOdBEinG.ITnEeDsnEGaTIVeFOrce.GiVeUP.NO.giVeuP.nOIwoN't.iNEedtO.IdoN'T.IdO.IDoN'TKNoWwHAtTodO.GIvEUP.WHyMuSTi.TOLIVE.ATWhATCoST.TOLIVE.BUT--TOLIVE.LIVEFORWHaT.LIVE.I'DRaTherDi--LIVE.LIVE.LIVE.LIVE.No.LIVE.nO.LIVE.LIVE.NO.LIVE.YES.LIVE.YES.YESIWILLLIVE.IGIVEUP.'

His mind broke...

Gale Storm, at this very moment, is no longer himself anymore... he's changed drastically. Whatever his instincts had forced upon him, his mental balance of good and evil had favored evil.

Why? He doesn't know for sure.

_________________________

Gale woke up calmly, under what was a violent storm... he had been asleep for a long while... no one knew where he was. But, he noticed some servants rushing to and fro, not noticing him for reasons he doesn't know.

But really... "I don't care." He said to himself. He thought about leaving a trail of lightning... sounds wickedly satisfying for Gale.

Just how did this happen to him? What sort of fast, cruel pain broke his mind and mended him back together as... as a wicked pony?

A hero no more. A true villain was born. A villain Gale Storm before his change would have have seen coming.

Gale Storm slowly got up... now noticing multiple lightning strikes which was around and upon him during his nightmare. He wanted to look at himself, for personal reasons...

He knew where a mirror was closest... the fountain in the garden... He saw himself.

He was silent for a good while. Lightning constantly flashed... giving instant vision of himself by the water's reflection.

Moss green pelt... dark gray hair... just like in his dream. His dream wasn't truly a dream... it was real.

his silence turned into a cold chuckle... just thought of a stupid little joke...

Talking to himself... "Today's weather forecast: Bad news, the Brilliant Storm has cleared out today..." He gracefully made liftoff and flew into the clouds, now manipulating the storm by making it worse... "Worse news... the Dark Storm is about to come your way."

He charged up, glowing intensely... "Not sorry, this bit of news was sudden!" He cackled away, now done with jokes. "Who shall I hurt first?" He monologues. "Oh... why hurt? Make them suffer. They didn't do anything, and that just makes it all the more enjoyable..."

He flew out of the clouds, however, the clouds were following him... the courtyard was his target. Assuming no pony would be comfortable being out in this violent storm... he would use it as a stage. Just as he thought, they were no longer outside, they went under shelter in the great hall...

He doesn't care how threatening obvious he looks... he charged up for a lightning strike... his hoof was holding a ball of lightning that's growing larger, glowing brighter, and humming and buzzing louder. It was now 4 feet in diameter... this was big enough to break all the glass. He threw it like a baseball, this fastball was too quick for the natural eyes to catch. The blast of lightning shattered all the glass from the great hall's windows...

All were panicking... he smirked. The crowd looked out the broken windows, they see a dark pegasus... with dark clouds looming around him, like a fog.

Royal guards flew out to attack him. Some sort of recognized him, but were confused by his color. They weren't sure if this was Gale Storm... but he had powers like his.

Gale made use of their confusion, he held both hooves up in the air, lightning struck multiple times at his hooves, biting at the lightning rods. It never hurt him, since it never could in the first place.

His body was charged up again... the royal guards tried to intercept him from attacking. He was too fast for them, so, alas, they were struck, burnt badly, but still alive, yet for now they're unconscious.

The guards never could have stood a chance... he laughed thinking about it.

"So heroic." He said quietly.

Queen Chrysalis, at this time, was confused... is this Gale Storm? He looks different... his color is different... he looks like him... but... it doesn't feel like him.

"That's... not Gale Storm... is it?" She quivered slightly, unsure of this.

Silver Line was upstairs with her parents, indoors, since the unexpected storm came by. The glass broke around them as well... Silver panicked like everypony else... when she stopped, she looked out.. and saw... Gale Storm?

"No... that can't be him." She said. "What's going on?"

"I..." Snow Storm said, stuttered. "I don't know... He'd never do this!"

Gale Storm heard a commotion from the ponies... confused, angry, afraid, or altogether...

Still some charge left, he struck immediately in front of them to silence them.

They were silent afterwards, just as he wanted.

"Just who the hell am I?" He spoke, speaking their mind. "The pony you knew... that duke? He's dead. He's been instantly seduced to evil under great mental pain... no one could've saved him from what was coming."

He crossed his forelegs. "I pity him..." For a moment he was quiet looking quite sad, then he made a single quick laugh, faking the expression earlier. "Who am I kidding? I'm Gale Storm, but I've changed for the worse! No one's to blame but himself! He did this to himself, he bottled up too much pain! And now that he's dead, his new form awakes."

His wickedly joyed attitude turned dark, serious, and furious for evil reasons. "I don't need to introduce myself further... so..." The clouds rumbled some powerful tremors that the stone floors started to crack a bit. "Come at me. I desire a warm-up."

Chrysalis felt dread. Snow Storm and Silver Line felt more dread... for he was family. Was family. No pony understands what happened to him... some hidden, premeditated plan for terrorism? Some perpetrator that put him under a mind-control spell? Or what he just said? No one knows... he's trying to make them suffer for no good reason, or rather, the worst reasons.

AlextheAngel · October 2, 2015

Celestia stepped back a little when Alex climbed up to the stand in front of Chrysalis, blinking a little in surprise. Normally, she would have scolded anyone who interrupted the conversation going on, but after seeing the child look up shyly and say hello to the Changeling Queen, she could not help but smile. "Oh, sweetie.." She said softly. Again she stepped aside as Luna stepped forward, lifting the child onto her back. But as soon as Luna mentioned that Alex was the son of Zed, Chrysalis seemed a bit shocked. She quickly excused herself. Seeing this, Celestia quickly followed after Chrysalis, frowning when she heard what she had to say. "Well... I can't exactly say you're wrong." She replied with a sigh. "Zed has been rather uneasy with the fact that we are allowing Changelings to live among us. I have never seen him as the type to hold a grudge..." She paused for a moment. "Give him some time, and I'm sure he will see the light."

Before she could say anymore, she noticed the dark clouds rolling over the sun, and it began raining very soon after. Oh no... She was about to order everypony inside, But sudden cracks of thunder, followed by bright flashes of lightning blinding her vision for a moment. By the time her vision recovered, she spotted multiple of her guards falling from the sky... and an ominous figure hovering just below the clouds. "That... That can't be Gale..." She said. She then noticed the bolts of lightening striking dangerously close to some of the ponies. "Everyone! Inside! Now!" She demanded. Celestia quickly ran to where Luna was, a look of worry on her face. "Luna! Take Alex inside and keep him safe! I need to find Zed." She said, before quickly running off into a sprint. It was not long before she found him speaking with Darky. "Zed! Something's wrong! I think... I think it might be Gale, but I'm not sure... It sure looks like him."

---

"Oh... Okay..." Alex said, seeming rather hurt as Chrysalis walked away. However, he did not question it. It was a bit of a busy day for all of them. He let out a melancholic sigh and slumped a little where he sat upon Luna's back. "Maybe some other time, then... Is she all right?" He realized that she seemed to get edgy when Luna mentioned that he was Zed's son. "Does she not like my dad?" He added in a hushed tone. Suddenly, everything happened at once. The storm, the strange Pegasus hovering in the air... then the bolts of lightning striking all around them... one of them being so close that it caused the child to yelp and cling tightly to Luna's neck in fear. He saw Celestia run up to them and order them to go inside. "What's going on?!" He cried, shaking violently.

---

Zed stopped when Darky caught up to him, and the young man rubbed the back of his head, searching for the right response. "It's just..." He started, letting out a heavy sigh. "I want nothing more than this land to be peaceful, and able to avoid meaningless conflict. It's an uplifting thought. But... The fact that my son is going to be living casually around the same enemies that were once dead set on killing me... It's a little unsettling." He shook his head and began pacing back and forth. "I'm trying to let go of the past and forgive what Chrysalis has done but... it's difficult." Before he could go on any further, he flinched when he suddenly heard the windows of the Great Hall shatter, followed by bolts of lighting quickly striking the ground. As soon as he was about to look for Celestia, she ended up finding him instead. He listened to what she said, glancing up at the figure in the sky. "Where is Alex?" He asked.

"He's with Luna. She'll keep him safe." Tia replied, not taking her eyes off of the Pegasus in the air. She glanced at the broken windows of the Hall. "I'm going to make sure nopony's hurt. I need you to see who that is, what he wants, and if possible, get rid of him." She gestured to the stranger.

"Already on it." Zed replied, focusing as much energy as he could on the air around him. "Darky, see if you can find Luna and help protect Alex. Thunder is in the castle, so she should be safe there. But whatever you do, don't let anyone set hoof or foot outside. That includes my wife and son."

By the time he finished talking, there was a large cloud floating in front of him, solid enough to support his weight. He jumped onto the cloud, wobbling since his legs and feet were very unused to the soft, cushiony feeling beneath him. Without another word, he focused once again, and the cloud began to levitate, quickly flying its way toward the Pegasus. Zed shielded his face as the heavy rain battered his entire body, the wind shredding at his skin. He clenched his fists and stood solidly upon the cloud, glaring at the Pegasus... and realized to his utter dismay that it was his uncle.

"Gale!" He called, his chin-length hair blowing across his face. "What the hell got into you?!"

PrinceoftheNight · October 2, 2015

Luna turned to Solar and before she could answer, he had left. She grabbed both Alex and Lullaby and closed the doors with her magic, locking them. "Alright Everypony! No one exits this room, for your own safty!" She said to all the ponies in the room. "Come, you two, let get you somewhere safe. " SHe said to ALex an dlUllaby.

"Mom, what is going on?" Lullaby asked.

"I don't know, but we better get you safe." Luna said as she carried Alex in her back and took her to the back of the room where they could be safe.

-----

Darky walked into the room before Luna locked it. He noticed she did that and looked around, then locked any window or place that they culd exit. He will make sure that nopony would be hurt from Gale. He gathered some guards to help, then looked around for Chrysalis. He had to protect her in order to preserve this treaty!

BraveShield · October 2, 2015

Thunder looked across the castle from her ad zeds room

Worry on her face as the storm clouds clustered around the area

"Please let Alex be ok" she whispered knowing she would only get in the way if she looked for him

------

Brave looked up as the glass showered everywhere

"Quick get inside!" He hollerd to his family as they entered the castle right before darky and before luna locks the door

He looked at snow "keep her safe" he said before kissing both her and silver

He then turns to luna "where's that new lunar captain?" He asked

He didn't know the pony but he knew he had been replaced once he had retired

Noedig · October 3, 2015

Gale looked at Zed, approaching him on a cloud... he sounded mad, demanding to know what got into him.

"Ugh." He grunted in disgust. "You didn't listen to me. Let me be clear--" He dashes past Zed, turns round to choke him from behind... all literally as fast as lightning. Unlike anything he's ever done before. He couldn't kill him, for it would've taken a while...

No, he held him in place. Naturally, Zed was struggling for air, and Gale wanted to explain, once again, in person.

"His mind... broke-- overloaded. He was dying." He said, as he still held him, choking him. "Unlike you from many years ago, he changed literally. And this change had nothing to do with any of you. He transformed himself, though unknowingly, into the monster everyone will hate. Because unlike most changes that undergo..."

He placed his mouth next to his ears... and whispered a terrible fact. "I still know everything about him... you... our family... Equestria."

He held him tighter, sending hot surge of lightning around his neck. "The uncle you knew died this day! That pony is NEVER coming back, for this tranformation is the reason I still live!"

After that, Gale Storm pushed Zed away from him. "I LIVE, TO MAKE YOU ALL SUFFER IN THE WORST!" He struck him with lightning. "WAY!" He struck again. "FOREVER!" He struck the last time, but more powerfully.

Gale never broke a sweat... he looks at himself... at his hooves. He chuckled sickly...

"To think that, when he used to be good, he held back so much power." He smacked his hooves together. "Why the hell did he ever have to be born that way?"

Furious of himself for some reason. He gave out a vicious tantrum with lightning and thunder. "He was SO WEAK! So PATHETICALLY WEAK! IT'S SO DISGUSTING TO BE ALIVE TO STILL KNOW THIS PONY WAS LIKE THIS!"

The dark clouds were still overwhelming and dangerous. Gale was silent in the fury of the storm... random leaves flying around him, glass cutting at him ever so barely. he could care less.

Zed may have something back to say or do... but nothing like that was going to change him. His sudden change of character is a mystery to everypony. If there were a cure for this, he wouldn't have known.

Fortunately, there was a way, but through no means of medicine, alchemy, or mental manipulation. This can only be affected by time and space. Just like how Gale Storm experienced in his dream... he met himself in a dream, though not sure how, where, or why that... monster came to him for. That creature came from an alternate reality... the only reality that has him being evil, instead of good. In fact, there were only two Gale Storms in all possible realities known to the infinity. This evil one assimilated the good Gale Storm-- Or... so it seems. But, for what reasons? As we all should know... for the worst reasons.

Anyway, back to the story.

Gale Storm peered at the crowd... looking here and there... no pony was significant to him anymore. It didn't matter if you were a tramp or a princess, a stranger of family, everypony had no value to him.

He muttered to himself. "Kidnapping... stealing... it only proves that I care a bit! The only way evil is as its worst... is by making them suffer and die... slowly." He chuckled sickly once again... "This will be a pleasure to destroy this world. No use conquering it... that failed last time... this time, I care for no one."

...... It failed last time?

Oh, dear. It appears... even I, the narrator of this story, was greatly mistaken. Gale Storm didn't change. He was swapped with this one! But where?

_________________

We're now in a different scene... or rather... something briefly familiar.

Gale Storm groaned... his head was throbbing in pain. The heartbeat-paced pulses still go on, it irritated this living being out of this pony.

"STOP THROBBING ALREADY!" He shouted. Coincidentally, the headache receded... slowly but surely. It seemed to have gone away... though he isn't going to hope it won't come back. it might come back.

He got up slowly... and looked around. His heart froze. The dream he thought was a dream... was real.

Everything for miles was burnt. Rain had already passed, already smothered the fire that used to be here.

He was wet and cold. Unsure of himself.

"The last moment... when I gave in..." He muttered to himself, now crying a bit. "Did I... do this?"

He's sobbing to himself, he believed he did this. Whatever his dream warned him about, it couldn't help him to prevent himself from doing this.

But, not sure if this is fortunate or not, he actually didn't do this. The other one did this.

Gale was sobbing for a few minutes... until he heard a splash from some many meters away.

he stopped sobbing and looked out. He hoped somepony was still alive.

"Anyone there? Please, come out!" He said. "I... I didn't mean to do this! I wasn't myself!"

No response... could be afraid or could be nothing. Somepony was definitely out there.

It was somepony, named Chrysalis... though not like the one from the world we know. Chrysalis, in this reality, is an endangered creature seeking revenge against somepony.

Gale couldn't tell if somepony was there... but, the sound came from behind those burnt down structures.

He went there by hovering, making no noise. he was getting close. He almost had vision of what was there. By the time he saw the corner. What-- or Who he saw surprised him. He saw Chrysalis, but.. she looked different. Scared and furious.

"Chrysalis?" He said. "What happened here?"

She gasped. No pony but the changelings knew her name... how did he know her name? From what she heard when she first met the monster, he clearly stated he cares for no one, especially anypony's identity... Even more, this pony doesn't look like the one she recognized. The one she knew was green... this one is cyan, but he looks the exact same. Is this some sort of trickery?

"Chrysalis, what's wrong? Did I do this?" He asked her, worried about her and himself.

Chrysalis made up her mind... it's some sort of trickery, is what she believed.

"Hss!" She hissed. Now ready to fight back.

"Hey!" He said, backing up. "Calm down, you're not yourself."

She could care less what he said now. She decided to attack him, physically and magically. It's fight or die to her now.

"Stop! I don't want to fight you!" He said, dodging her magic projectiles, illusions, and martial attacks. "Stop!"

She was still scared and furious. If she could at least leave a mark on him before he will kill her, it would be the least for her kind.

"Chrysalis, please!" He pleaded her to calm down, but she still went at him. Finally, an opening from a dodge he made... She went for his right leg, stabbing him with her own horn, and burned it with whatever fire magic she could think of.

"Argh!" He yelled in pain. He backed up even further, avoiding her now. "I can't believe this!"

Chrysalis heard him say that... assuming she made him mad... she could only imagine what he could do now when he's mad, though he's already mad. There's no magic or illusions that could save her now. Whatever he was about to do, she was ready for it...

"You..." He said. Chrysalis closed her eyes, head held high, now prepared to die.

Gale Storm descended... he didn't care what she was going to do now. He felt he needed to hug her, as an apology. So he did.

Chrsyalis was startled. "Wh.. what?" She said, confused.

"You must've been terrified. I'm so sorry." He said, calmly as he usually is. "I don't recall doing such destruction... I'm so sorry."

Chrysalis was so confused now. Is he trying to apologize about this or something? She had no clue why he's doing this. Perhaps this is some random joke to him which he came up before he decides to kill her...

"You... killed so many of my kind... for decades." She said, felt she deserved the dignity to speak up. "So you want to apologize... for that? I say...."

Gale let go of her and backed up to face her. His expression was filled with utter confusion.

"Go to hell, Dark Storm!" She said, believing it was her true final words before her death.

"Stop!" He shouted. "Stop talking like you're going to die! No one's going to die!"

Chrsyalis was even more confused. "Why not?! That's what you do, ever since you destroyed everything for 75 years!"

"75 years?" He said, bewildered. "Was I not myself for that lon--" He stopped himself... recalling the dream.

"What?" She said. "Had enough lies to spew out?"

He looked at her... but not really at her... he's still recalling the dream. "No..." He said. "No, this isn't... it can't be."

"WHAT?!" She screamed.

"Chrysalis... yes? That's your name?" He asked, making sure.

"Yes, that's my name! So... WHAT?!" She said, mad at this ridiculous pony.

Gale remembered seeing himself, but with mossy green pelt... and dark gray hair he checked himself... he's pelt is cyan, he assumed his hair's the same.

"What color did you recognize... me... from before?" He asked.

"If it will make me die quicker, then I'll tell you!" She yelled. "Green pelt, gray hair!"

Gale's recent suspicion was correct. "Then this..." He said to her. "This... I'm afraid you've got me for the wrong pony."

Chrysalis wasn't mad anymore... she was back to being confused. "... What do you mean?"

"I mean," He said, "... I've been duped by that green lookalike. He made me think I did this, but he just traded places with me! But how?!"

He trotted off, now going in circles. Paying no attention to Chrysalis anymore. Meanwhile, she's just... stumped. She felt like leaving right now, but she still fears this as some sort of sick joke he's trying to pull off.

"Whoever he is... he's at my world... probably doing something wrong... like this place..." He muttered. "How did he put me here? What sort of power brought me here? I need answers..."

he thought about asking Chrysalis.

"Chrysalis?" He said, wanting to ask her.

Chrysalis was silent, she didn't want to take any more of this. She felt it could only satisfy him by cooperating with him. Either way, he would kill her. At least by doing this, he would kill her because she didn't cooperate the way he wanted her to... better than helping a sick monster.

"Chrysalis, I'm not going to kill you!" He said. "What will it take to prove I'm not that pony?"

She thought for a moment... she came up with an idea.

"Prove you're not him by doing this..." she said. "... Kill yourself."

He rolled his eyes. "If I did that, wouldn't you feel bad that you made an innocent pony kill himself?"

"Well..." She said, to counter. "I would care less either way, I'm no pony's friend."

"Alright..." He said. Now he pondered to think of what to prove to her. "Ah, I know..."

Chrysalis looked at him... trying to analyze his actions... why doesn't he kill her now? He's been looking for her for weeks, he swore he'd kill her when he sees her... that's what she remembers.

Gale decided to gamble on personal knowledge about her kind. "Alright... I'm going to tell you a few things I personally know two things about your society, and one really personal fact about you. Because you trusted me more than any other ponies that weren't changelings."

Chrysalis was worried about that... but, how would he know?

"First off..." He said. "Changelings, only on a specific day for special occasion, would give away secret stashes or prizes to another another. It's a holiday of giving for Changelings. Plus, the Queen can never give or receive anything, because she already does every day. It's their way of appreciating the Queen's efforts. It's called... Queen's Affinity."

Her mouth opened a bit, in surprise. "How..."

"Changelings never steal from each other," He continued, saying another fact, "They only take what is needed from others without permission because it is allowed by their society's rule to help their legacy, the next generation."

Her mouth opened a bit more. This is a more personal fact only law-serving changelings know.

"You, as the Queen..." He continued, saying one final fact, "You promised yourself that when you marry your lover, you can never vocally share your personal feelings to your lover. You can only share that to a dear, dear friend. Somepony who appreciates you for what you are, who respects your position, and understands your actions. Because your lover already knows you by heart, and never has to hear you speak. For if you did, you'd prove yourself as self-doubting, causing society to fall. Knowing that you broke the promise you'd make to your lover that keeps Changelings together."

She fell in a slump. That's the most locked up secret she's kept. No pony, no changeling knew that before. She was going to give that to a dear friend if she ever had one... She looked at him, awed by his proof.

He came up closer to her, giving her a hoof to help raise her up. "Where I am from, I'm your friend, not your enemy. Please, get up."

She took his hoof, and was pulled up to stand. "Surely..." She said. "My... uh, her kingdom... in.. your reality? Is it is faring better than here?"

"As far as you've told me..." He said. "Frankly, it is. They achieved peace with Equestria, thanks to me..."

"That's good.." She said... crying a bit.

He shook his head. "That's not good."

She looked at him, a bit confused. "Why?"

"Because..." He said, now looking around at what the true perpetrator did... this place was burned to the ground... by a hateful enemy. "That peace may yet prove to be short-lived... by my new arch-enemy..."

he looks back at her. "Dark Storm."

_____________________________

Silver Line looked at what she thought used to be her uncle, this monster... he's hurting Zed. He's spoke of some self-transformation, that the uncle she knew had broken his mind because of himself... she didn't know if that was true.

She cried to tears as she watched the monster in horror... he was glaring at her. This glare meant he wants to kill her.

"No..." She said. "Uncle, please... you're scaring me!"

Dark Storm-- We'll call him that for now, to differentiate the two characters-- smiled so horrifically at her.

"You're going to die just as how beautiful you are... Silver: Very painfully." He said, simply.

Snow Storm pulled her from his view and went further into the buildings... asking for help from anypony.

"Somepony help us!" She shouted. Asking for more help, as Brave is already to busy himself...

"What in Equestria has gotten into him?!" Chrysalis said with distraught. "That's not Gale Storm! Who ever you are, you're an imposter!"

She was furious that this day, that was meant to be a good day... was ruined by some random enemy.

He looks at the Queen. As slightly familiar as she looks from before he swapped Gale's place... he's getting a rush of "fond" memories of this creature. And more "fond" memories of other ponies Gale Storm knew.

"Ugh!" Dark Storm grunted in disgust. "I can't believe he was friends with the likes of any of you, and worse yet... family!"

These memories he's received were not intentional. But rather informational, he thought it'd be a good idea copy some memories, though he wished he could just steal it so that Gale Storm could feel more convinced that he's the monster of that place from the dream... but, you gotta do with what you have... anyway, he starts to regret copying these memories. It was of uncomfortable consequences to copy these memories... but still informational.

AlextheAngel · October 3, 2015

Zed clenched his fist as he approached the Pegasus, still a bit unsteady as he stood upon the soft cloud. He shifted into a defensive stance as the Pegasus began talking. However, nothing could have prepared Zed for what happened next. Before he even had time to blink, Gale... or... what looked like Gale, dashed behind him. Without having any time to turn around, the young man suddenly felt pressure around his neck, completely cutting off his air way. He wheezed and coughed, trying to squirm out of the Pegasus's grasp, but to no avail. Normally, Zed would have been able to counter the hold, given his gift of combat. But this time, the attack had been almost instantaneous, and he did not even have time to think. His eyes widened as he heard what "Gale" had to say for himself... and at the last little detail, the young man's muscles tensed with fear. No... No! That's impossible! He shouted in his head. He continued struggling to break free, his vision beginning to blur and his mind beginning to race due to the sudden lack of oxygen. Suddenly, he felt a serge of energy jolt from his neck, sending spasms across his entire body.

Zed's mind was sent into a daze, feeling every strand of hair on his body stand on edge as the electricity coursed through him. He suddenly felt himself being tossed away, another bolt of lightning hitting him. He yelled out in pain as his mind was once again thrown into a daze. The last bolt, however, was enough to cause his heart to stop. His entire body went completely limp as he began to fall from the sky. Luckily, the nimbus he had summoned materialized beneath him before he could fall more than ten feet. He lay there on the cloud, completely motionless, his clothes and skin blackened in the spots where the bolts hit him. A few moments later, Zed's eyes snapped open and he gasped for breath, an overwhelming ache spreading throughout his chest as his heart once again began beating. As his mind began to register what had happened, he clutched at his chest and coughed heavily, splotches of blood escaping from his gullet and dripping onto the surface of the cloud. Gasping, he pushed himself up to his knees, then very slowly to his feet, stumbling a bit as he felt his knees go weak for a moment. That... was close... He thought, realizing that he had just survived three powerful jolts of electricity straight to his heart and brain. He looked around for the imposter, brushing a lock of hair out of his face. Within no time, he caught sight of the Pegasus, glaring evilly at the young grey mare he had seen earlier.

"No you don't!" He growled, the nimbus moving toward him at a speed that could easily match that of the imposter's. Zed leapt from the cloud, quickly passing his arms under the Pegasus's forelegs, before interlocking his fingers behind his neck. Full nelson.... Haven't used that in a while... He thought. Before the imposter could react, Zed's body heat began to quickly rise until it was overwhelmingly warm... and even a small flame sparked out of one of his elbows. The first time the Pegasus had attacked him, it caught Zed off guard. Now that he (partially) knew what he was up against, he would be able to face the enemy properly. He readied himself for any other bolts of electricity that would course through him. If "Gale" did try to electrocute him again, Zed would only manipulate it to where it would pass harmlessly through his body. "Well..." He began, his body temperature still quickly rising. If he kept that up, it would begin to burn the Pegasus's fur and skin. "If you know everything that Gale knew, then I guess it's no surprise to you that I'm an elemental. I can manipulate fire, water, earth, air, and energy to my whim. And since lighting is technically energy... well..." His grip tightened. "You know the rest." However, he was still in disbelief with the fact that he was fighting his own uncle, and as a result, his body stopped heating up. Even though his voice was sharp and lethal, the young man's heart ached heavily, and it was not because of the near-death experience he had less than a minute ago...

---

Alex watched through one of the shattered windows as his father flew up toward the Pegasus, riding unsteadily on a nimbus. He gasped with terror as the Pegasus dashed behind him, choking him out for a few good seconds, before watching him get struck by lightning... three times. The child squeezed his eyes shut and looked away, huddling closer to Luna. He flinched when the Pegasus approached the crowd they were in, Zed nowhere in sight. He backed up a little when the Pegasus began threatening a grey colored mare, tears welling up in the boy's eyes. But before the imposter could strike, Zed appeared behind him, immobilizing the Pegasus in a full nelson.

It was too much... He could not just stand around while his father took on this insane pony by himself. He had to do something!

Without a word, the child leapt off of Luna's back and flapped his wings as hard as he could, flying quickly toward the two. "Daddy!" He called. "Leave my daddy alone!"

"Alex! No!" Solar cried, but it was too late. Alex was already hovering in front of the two, glaring at the Pegasus.

PrinceoftheNight · October 3, 2015

Luna looked around when she noticed that Alex was no loner on her back. "ALEX, WAIT!" she yelled to him ,but it was to late, he was already at the middle of them. "We need to go back!" She said as she turned around.

"Mom! NO! Is to dangerous!" Lullaby said as she turned around and saw Luna.

"I will take care of it!" Darky said as he oppend his wings and rushed to where Alex was. He saw how Zed inmobilized the pegasus.

"Dad!" Lullaby yelled when he left running.

"There is no time, he will be fine." Luna said as she grabbed Lullaby and kept running. She helped some other ponies get out of there and then turned around. "Lullaby listen to me, take this ponies to a safe place."

"B-but mom..."

"Now! I need to find Chrysalis and make sure she is fine!" Luna said before turning around and look for Chrysalis.

Lullaby looked at her and sighed, then nodded and took the ponies out of there to a safe place.

----

Once Darky arrived to where Alex was, he stood beside him and grabbed him with his mouth. "Is too dangerous!" He said as he let it at the side of the battle. "You hear me? Is too dangerous for you! You need to stay here!" He added as he turned around, ready to protect Alex

BraveShield · October 4, 2015

Brave was about to sudjest that he should get them out of here when silver and snow were thretend by the 'gale'

He then Teleported between him and his family ready to fight to the death when Alex takled dark storm and put him in a hold he had no name for

As soon as lullaby was leading ponies out brave turned to snow

"You two need to get out of here" he said as he transformed into an Arieon

In this form he showed how old her had been getting with a fully grey muzzle and mane

"Now!" He yelled hinting he would drag them out of here if he had to

----

Thunder was getting worried and phycecly reconnected her mind with zeds

Only to feel the pain of being shocked

"Agh!!" She screamed in agany as she lost connection from her husband momentarily dieing

Seconds later she crashed thru the window and raced to the other side of the castle as fast as she could

(Nononononononononononononono...... ) she repeated in her mind as tears blurred her vision

She then got there as soon as darky brought Alex back in

But not seeing this and not immediently seeing zed she sat there like a sitting duck in the sky crying as she frat icky looked for zed

Noedig · October 4, 2015

The boy came after his father... Darkness went to stop Alex... Brave Shield was ready to fight him... And then Zed came back at him with some body lock, trying to burn him up after the little retort Zed made.

Dark Storm just chuckled... sicker and more wickedly. "How great this mighty hero has fallen... to such retaliation."

He felt the burn more... He felt the pain, but it did not make him wince. "Whatever shall I do with what he has left behind?" He said, still experiencing the burn.

"Ah..." He sighed, looking at the boy coming towards him. "I think I'll start with you!"

Dark Storm didn't need to aim, as he commanded the clouds to create a ferocious gust around them all. Lightning strikes occurred at every moment, chances are, anyone's going to get struck, especially the boy.

Gale Storm is lethal, quick, practical, and prodigious when it comes to physical and power capability, he combines martial art, power, and strategy... but, Dark Storm has focused more on power and physical strength, sticking to simple strategies that involve bombarding big blows that cost very little.

Zed doesn't know how strong this pony is... and he was going to use that to his advantage.

After Zed stopped burning him for some reason, Dark Storm, struggling but quickly, grasped his arms and focused a lot of electrical charges on his hands, forcing them to let loose involuntarily.

As much as Zed is an elemental, that much focused power could not break. Zed's hand were loose. Dark Storm kicked him back, to gain some distance.

Darkness, and Brave were closing in, as well as the boy, while the dark clouds still struck and blew.

Dark gave a death-flaring glare at the boy... telling Alex that he is about to regret coming any closer.

"Come here, pup!" He said with a grim face.

"NO!" Chrysalis shouted. She started to fly towards the boy, creating some flashes at Dark Storm. Dark Storm was blinded for a moment, caught off guard from the unexpected interference.

In his mind, he forgot that this isn't the same Chrysalis as the one he knew... his memories of her were mixed, so he assumed she'd just stay back.

Chrysalis created a teleportation spell to get closer to Alex faster. So she did, and after that she placed a bubble on him.

Dark Storm was starting to get his vision back, so Chrysalis didn't have much time. She started casting a laser-like magic on Alex's bubble, causing the bubble to get thicker and stronger, more resistant to any means of force.

Dark Storm finally came to, and noticed Chrysalis and the boy in a bubble. He groaned with disgust.

"What's a dumb bug like you think you're proving?!" He shouted. "Back off, before I kill every last one of you bugs AGAIN!"

Again? Chrysalis was confused by that, but she certainly did not condone that sort of threat. "Whoever you are... you're not Gale. What have you really done with him?!"

"I don't speak insect..." He mocked her, saying his last words to her. He was done talking to her.

Before Dark Storm was about to launch towards them in a lightning blur... she had already begun casting a teleport again to get away from his sight.

He smacked the bubble hard, forcing it upon Chrysalis as she just finished her spell. She was extremely disgruntled, but she was still concentrating. She succeeded in teleporting Alex and herself away form him.

Dark Storm lost sight of them... and became furious.

"RrrrRAAAAUUUGH!" He roared in fury. He's lost his concentration... leaving himself open for any attacks unknown to him... this was a chance.

______________________________

Chrysalis, from the alternate reality, was unsure of how to help him... all she could do now was stand by him... her new ally.

"I can't help you on how to get back..." She said. "If anything comes to mind, I will tell you. For now, I'm by your side... Gale Storm, is it?"

"Correct." He said, nodding. "And thank you, your Highness... is there a place that's..." He paused as he looked in the far distance around him, a lot of burnt fields and structures. "... least destroyed, involving population?"

"A few." She said. "One, there's a place 9 miles from here where ponies take refuge from their destroyed homes. Two, a dark kingdom protected by the dark princess, Nightmare Moon... and finally, a military settlement under the rule of Princess Celestia, whose gone to war against her sister and Dark Storm..."

Gale tried to comprehend the difference with Nightmare Moon and this... War-like Princess Celestia. "Hmm... I see... things are very different here. It seems I'll have trouble dealing with either of them, since I look like him."

"But surely, just like you've convinced me!" She said. "I've never told anypony about my feelings, and you know that because of her from the other side. Which only convinces me that you are not from this place, and are not like Dark Storm."

"Yes, I proved to you that I'm trustworthy." He said. "But not everypony's the same... tell me, how did all this begin until now?"

"Can we talk as we move away from here?" She asked politely, "I can't stand being here in this... deathly wasteland."

"Of course, we'll go where you want to go." He said, complying.

So, they started to move out away from the center of the lifeless area.

"Let's see..." She pondered. "She became war-like because of Dark Storm. Ever since he encountered Canterlot, he had done nothing but attack. A simple, young stallion with so much vigor and hatred, destroyed Canterlot in within hours.

This left her completely defenseless and questioned by many... so she resorted to war against Dark Storm. Dark Storm influenced many ponies to join him in his destructive crusade. He wanted to destroy the world.

"Two sides fought each other. Until one night, Nightmare Moon returned... Celestia knew this is the night she'd return, she had hoped to persuade her in helping her, but to no avail. Nightmare Moon, furious at her sister, went her own way and reclaimed her own kingdom. Helping nopony outside the Nocturnal Mist.

"Since then, Celestia had felt furious at Dark Storm, who interfered with her plans to save her own sister. Because she couldn't find the users of the power of the elements of harmony... the prophecy was never fulfilled. Her fury turned her into a war machine. Intolerant to those that do injustice, and shun any that serve the night. After that incident, 20 years ago, he invaded my kingdom, and destroyed almost all of us within a week. So.... two godly sisters, right now, are still at war with each other."

Gale Storm frowned throughout her story since he heard Canterlot was destroyed.

"This is terrible..." He said, now unsure of what to do. "Now what are we going to do? Conversation won't help these two out..."

Out of nowhere, Gale noticed a slight shadow the flew past over them by sunlight. He turned to look around and see what was above...

He saw a human flying on a cloud.

"Zed?" He said.

"Zed?" She said, honestly surprised. "You know his name? Nobody knows him, he got here since almost over two decades ago."

She looked out at the wingless angel, still remembering how unpleasant his manners were when she first met him. "He never did anything nice to anypony... he's rude!"

"We'll see..." He said, now flying towards him.

"Wh-- HEY, wait!" She said, following him.

Gale Storm was getting closer. Since Chrysalis told him about how unpleasant he is... he's going to accept the fact that this Zed is going to be different than the man he knew.

He was just yards away now. He flew on even levels of altitude, so he can notice him.

"Hey, Zed! I need to talk to you!" He said, waving at him affably.

AlextheAngel · October 4, 2015

Zed's grip tightened a little, a confused look on his face once he heard the Pegasus begin chuckling in a... rather wicked manner. He turned his attention to a small and familiar voice calling out to him, his eyes widening with worry as he saw his ten-year-old son flying frantically toward them. "Alex! No! Stay out of this!" He cried, his muscles tensing. But before the boy could get too close, Darkness charged forward and grabbed him, bringing Alex off to the side. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw yet another Pegasus arrive at the scene, hovering in the air a bit further away. His first thought was that it might have been one of the Celestial or Lunar guards, but after turning his head slightly to get a better look, he noticed that it was not a guard... it was Thunder.

Both his wife and son were in the middle of an extremely deadly battle.

"Damn it, Darky!" Zed yelled at the Alicorn. "You had one job! One job!" At that moment, the clouds began to thicken, bolts of lightning being thrown randomly across their little group... most of them being focused around Alex. Zed's eyes widened, his heart racing with worry. No... no no no... He repeated in his mind. But before he could act, the Pegasus he held reached up and grabbed his arms. Immediately, Zed prepared himself for what was likely to come next... obviously another jolt of electricity. However even though the electric current passed harmlessly through him, he had not prepared himself for how powerful it was... or how it was directed towards his hands. Instinctively, Zed's grip loosened just enough for the imposter to break out of his grasp, before kicking him hard in the stomach. Once again, he was falling towards the ground. But luckily, the nimbus he had created once again materialized beneath him before he could fall too far. He lay there for a moment, clutching his stomach. What the hell is happening right now?! I can't lay a hand on him for more than a few moments at a time! As he looked back up, he gasped when he saw "Gale" staring at Alex with a dangerously grim expression. But before he could do anything, he heard a familiar voice cry out, before seeing Chrysalis suddenly appear next to the boy, placing a protective bubble around both her and him. As soon as the imposter was about to shoot another bolt of lightning at them, the bubble disappeared.

Chrysalis... protecting his son... That was definitely something he did not think he would ever see in his lifetime... And he did not know what to make of it.

Before he could dwell on the thought any further, he heard the imposter suddenly scream with rage. But however enraged the Pegasus was, it was impossible for it to match Zed's level of lividness. He clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug into the palms of his hands, drawing a few drops of blood. Seeing as how distracted the Pegasus was by his own anger, he decided to take this chance and strike at him without holding back. Now's as good a time as any... He thought. With speed that would match lightening... or maybe even faster than that, the cloud flew toward the Pegasus. As soon as he was within range, Zed grabbed him firmly by the collar of the uniform he was still wearing. "Stay!" He yelled, punching the Pegasus in the stomach. "Away!" He punched again, this time in the Pegasus's snout. "From!" He punched the imposter in the jaw. "My!" He grabbed him by the throat, squeezing as hard as he could. "FAMILY!!!" With that, he delivered a kick to the Pegasus's gut powerful enough to send him a few yards away. Summoning up a tremendous amount of energy, Zed aimed his palm at the imposter, before an inferno shot from his hands large enough to look like the maw of Hell itself. If anyone knew Zed at all and saw this display, they would know that he very rarely... if ever... got this angry.

---

Alex yelped when Darky suddenly flew toward him, dragging him off to the side of the fight. He struggled a bit, his wings flapping frantically. "No! I can't stay back! I have to help him!" He yelled. But before he knew it, there were large bolts of lightning striking randomly all around him, causing him to shake with fear. He watched with a horrified look as the Pegasus reached back and electrocuted his father once again, breaking out of the immobilizing hold. He cowered back as the pony that looked like Gale turned toward him, the glare he sent striking chills down the young boy's spine. Before the Pegasus could reach him, Chrysalis suddenly appeared next to him, forming a protective bubble around them both. As soon as Gale was about to attack again, the scene around them disappeared, leaving the boy in utter confusion. "No! I can't leave him out there!" He said, pounding on the bubble. "We have to go back! Gale is hurting him!" Tears streamed down the boy's face, and he continued punching the hard surface of the barrier.

---

Typical day... Zed thought as he sat lazily upon the nimbus, flying over the abandoned wreckage that was Dark Storm's doing. He let out a sigh and stretched, the scent of burnt rubble still thick in the air. In all honesty, he could have helped save a city or two from the Pegasus's grasp, but then again... why did it matter? None of these ponies have ever done anything for him, other than give him strange looks or try to chase him away. He remembered the day he first crash landed in this place... how the first thing the princess did was question him, only to kick him back out onto the streets because of the war going on. The only way he could make a living was traveling the land, finding whatever food or water he could. He had witnessed Dark Storm's destruction first hand, but had done nothing to help. Not after the way everypony had treated him. Of course, he didn't like what Dark Storm was doing at all.

He just refused to care.

Suddenly, he heard someone call out his name... which was strange. No one here knew his name... not even Celestia! As he heard the flapping of wings drawing closer, the young man clenched his fists in frustration. Without even a word in response, he turned around and aimed his palm at the Pegasus flying toward him, getting ready to shoot a few flames at him... Before a searing pain spread throughout his back. Every single one of his muscles tensed up, and he gritted his teeth, wincing in obvious pain. It was then that he remembered he could not use his powers without his... secret injury sending these random attacks on him. He stood frozen for a food few seconds until the intense pain subsided, before glaring at the Pegasus. "What the hell do you want?!" He demanded, clenching his fists once again.

The Dark Storm's Fallout, (See OOC!)

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