Prince of Storms

Chapters

The Oncoming Storm
The Tale of Two Sisters
Memories From Another
The Mind Made Whole
Something Amiss
Political Disinterest
The Nightmare's Plan

The Oncoming Storm

Thomas woke to blaring alarms. He shook the fog from his mind. He jumped to his feet, his room was small it onky had room for his cot and a locker. The sterile white walls were currently bathed in red as the emergency lights. He turned to his locker and threw the door open. Inside was a white under armor suit which he donned quickly. Next came his armor module the three piece armor suit slid over his head like a linebackers shoulder guards. The other two pieces magnetically adhered to his thighs. The moment all three pieces were in place they began to grow into a suit of armor reminiscent of a knight's his v-shaped visor came to life with a fiery orange glow. He reached in and drew out his last piece of equipment his biofeedback pistol.

"Good morning Thomas." The a.i. in his suit said her voice and image that of a 12 year old girl. She hsd long hsir and wore a hoody with jeans. Her blue shimmering smile helped ease his tension. The image and voice was chosen from his mind for that purpose. "Come on brother let's see what's wrong." She said smiling. Thomas nodded.

He got into the hallway and saw that it was empty all other guards we gone and so were the scientists and other employees. He looked st his heads up display in confusion. According to the data it was displaying the alarm had sounded over a day before. He walked the halls that were empty and devoid of all life. The alarm code showed nothing as its cause it was simply sounding. Thomas lifted his left arm and a holo display and keyboard appeared floating ever so slightly above his forearm. He punched in a few commands changing the lighting back to normal. Thomas stepped back as static shot over the stations intercoms. A voice picked up afterwards.

"I see your finally awake unfortunately I couldn't turn off the alarm or get to you when they sounded." A female voice said over the intercom. "Before you say anything there aren't any escape ships or pods left so we are stuck here untill we are rescued." She said sounding sad. "Oh but we should get together since the lock down my codes don't work. I'm getting a little hungry, you'll find me in the core maintenance bay its where I got locked in." The message terminated after that. His a.i. Sarah inpt the way point. It displayed as a red triangle down the hall on a door to the left.

"Sarah you sure this is wise." Thomas said following his waypoints. He wasn't allowed to interact with other employees aside from other guards.

"Thomas your duty is to protect her just make sure she can get to the cafeteria." Sarah said happily. She knew Thomas's isolation was permanently ingrained after all he had been a guard here since childhood. She pitied him. The corporation he worked for had bought him and his sister. They then had seperated them one being trained as a guard the other given the posh life of a scientist.

Thomas stood outside the doors to the mantainince bay. With a quick punch of some buttons on his wrist computer. The door opened revealing a young woman her long brunette hair falling over her shoulder. She look at him with brown eyes twinkling above a large smile.

"About time though you can remove your helmet." The scientist said walkng past Thomas. He didn't reply it was against the rules. As far as she was concerned he might as well be a robot. "Come on it's just us you can talk." She said concer spreading over her face. "Please talk, please I... I'm alone and scared just say something." She begged tears coming to her eyes.

"Sorry but protocol 7651 is still in effect." Sarah said blossoming to life as he moved his arm up so the scientist could see. "However as his personal a.i. I can talk for him." She said bowing.

The scientist gave her a dirty look. She hated Sarah the program had stolen every thing thanks to the company. With a cynical snear she made her final decision. She walked back into the core room. Standing before a larg computer.

"Before I can go eat I have to make certain that the core is still stable and I could really use your help." She said punching in some commands. 'I must get him out of here only then will I get my brother back.' The real Sarah thought as she activated her last failsafe. Sarah was a partical physicist and had figured out a way to use the stations reactor to cause a wormhole effect. She sighed doing this not only placed them in a random location it could also be dimensional repercussions. "Oh, part of the procedure requires me to drain the atmosphere from the room foreign compounds and all. So can you bring me that E.V. unit?" Sarah said indicating a small pack similar to his armor module.

Thomas did as he was asked and placed the the unit on her back. It microscoped out into a similar armor. She looked at him through her pink glowing visor. She turned from him tapped her chest piece causing an energy tether to attach to him.

"I'm sorry brother but it's time we were freed." And with that she hit the enter key.

Celestia looked out her window in Canterlot. She housed herself in the tallest tower of her castle. She saw everything and what she saw disturbed her. Dragons from the south encroached along with diamond dogs to the west Gryphons marched and to the east changlings constantly tried to test her borders. No her kingdom was introuble and all because she had allowed her student to return the elements to the tree. Now it was her people who suffered. She watched as her guards died. 'If only we hadn't dethroned the king.' She thought looking back at where his former seat of power was. Cloudsdale still the weather capital of the world but back when the city had a king none could stand against her. He could cause a hurricane with a thought, and rain devastating lightning strikes. 'I was a fool for trying to control him or his power and now its lost for ever.' She thought looking out over the everfree forest.

To her surprise over the forest a larg storm had formed. It was unlike anything she had seen the clouds roiled sideways as the funnel formed. A hideous black maw with lightning and other energy discharging within. She watched in amazement as two objects were flung from the storm. Each going a different direction as a glowing thread between them snapped. The objects crashed leveling the forest where they did and the storm snapped shut with thunder.

"Hey!" Celestia yelled down at two pegasie guards. "Follow me we have something to envestigate." She took off heading for the forest, and the nearest object which had landed just out side Ponyville. "Let us hope that what ever it is that it will help." She said as the world whipped by below her.

"Wake up stormrider." A voice that sounded like thunder said to Thomas. He stirred and found that his hud was off. He rubbed his head sitting up. "You may be worthy." The voice said quiter now. It sounded apprehensive which is why he looked at where it was coming from. To his shock he was in a forest its trees dark and secretive. "Yes, strong of body and of mind. You will fight me." It said as its voice rang loud again. Storm clouds formed out of nowhere above him. Lightning struck out from the clouds. It impacted right infront of Thomas sending him backwards. He picked himself up and before him was a alicorn made out of storm louds lightning arcing through its body. "To claim me you will defeat me." It said pawing at the ground readying a charge and lightning flashing in its eyes.

Celestia was looking at the second storm of the day. Its was over most of the forest like a dome its gale force winds keeping her and her guards out. She had found one of the objects it was a strange creature nade of metal. 'What about the other one why is the storm blocking me?' She thought fustrated by her apparent ineptitude.

"Lets head back to the castle we can check out the creature we do have." One of her guards said over the winds. Celestia looked at her guard. He was right she had one of them, but the storm was causing doubt it was acting strange. "Slash wait here until the the storm dies then bring the other creature back." The guard said looking to his princess. She nodded and left with her remaing guard and the creature.

Thomas dodged the charging storm clouds. As he tumbled to the side he drew his biofeedback pistol. The moment he touched it's grib he felt the gun begin to charge from his bioelectric field. The storm alicorn rounded on him when it did, it lowered its long horn at him and fired a long stream of blue lightening. With a smile thomas stepped into the bolt.

"Systems online and charged to 100%." Sarah said as his hud came online. "Hello Thomas." She said in her standard way. With out hesitating Thomas levelled his weapon and unloaded the clip. His stored bio energy errupted from the barrel as a bolt of blazing black plasma. It struck the cloud alicorn tearing through like it was striking paper. The beast let out a howl as it was destabilized by the shots. Lightning struck the creature making it vanish. "Ok what's going on?" Sarah said as she began to run her probability programs.

"I don't know I woke up and that thing started attacking me." Thomas said watching as the creature moved through the clouds like water. "Why do we feel sluggish?" He asked as the alicorn charged out of the cluod bank. He managed to dodge the horn but the electrical field shorted out his suit and triggered the emergency release. His armor retracted to its storage form leaving him exposed and without his hud. The creature turned back to him and waited. With out hesitating his survival training kicked in. He dropped low to the ground making himself less of a target. Rather then charge again the beast sank back into the clouds and cirled again. Thomas didn't move he waited watching the clouds in his vision. The hair on his neck stood on end. The alicorn charged from behind him just as Thomas wanted. Spinning on his heel he brought the pistol catching the alicorn on the for head. "Hey charge this!" He called pulling the trigger. The alicorn dispated in a flash of lightning.

As Slash watched the storm collapsed in on itself. Before his very eyes he watched as it converged on a single point. After the storm had fully disapated the guard walked toward where the epicentre of the storm. What he saw there shocked him like nothing else could. Laying there infront of him was a creature a lot like the first but this one wasn't metal. The creature before him was wearing cloths and was primarily without a coat. The thing had a brown mane and was unconscious. But more than that it had wings made of storm clouds and black lightning. It aslo had a horn of the same make shifting in and out of existence.

"Uh how can I get you home." Slash said as he watched black lightening arc over the body infront of him.

The Tale of Two Sisters

Sarah awoke to pure pain. The electrical forces in the vortex were much greater then she had anticipated. Her hud was dark letting her know her battery had discharged. 'Guess I won't be getting any data from that.' She thought as she sat up. Looking around her room she found that it was vibrant pastel in color and very fancy. It was large and decorated in a victorian fashion. The bed itself looked like it was meant for a princess. She got out of bed and hit the emergency release on her E.V. suit causing it to recede back int its backpack form.

Moving to her door she opened it just a crack. Peeking through she saw a long polished hallway along jts edge stood ponies. They didn't move when she eased the door a little more. She slipped out of her room with no resistance from any one or thing. She continued down the hall unimpeded. 'I should have grabbed a bio pistol.' She thought feeling scared and alone completely and utterly alone.

Thomas dreamed it had been a long time since he had. The corporation had drugged all their guards. The snuck the drugs into th food supplements they issued. Even now as he slept he could feel the withdrawal setting in. As lay there a prisoner of his bodies need for sleep and his brains need to think, his memories bbegan to flood back. All those years under the corporations thumb. He remembered missions days away from the compound that he "guarded." Some where he assassinated officials or any one that asked tomany questions. Others were far worse he was one of the capture units. These dreams were filled with faces each filled with fear and most younger than ten.

"Can I help you ma'am?" The question came as a surprise causing Sarah to spin in place. Looking at the speaker she saw a dark coated winged pony with a bright blue mane and tail. The pony which by its voice was female had a comb and scissors on her flank.

"I, I'm looking for something." She replied trying to act like she belonged. 'Talking ponies yeah I don't think I belong.' She thought slightly concerned she obviously didn't belong.

"Oh well the princesses know everything about the castle. I'm about to meet Celestia for a appointment she'll help." The pony said all smiles. Sarah indicated that the little pony should lead the way with a smile. 'Meeting a princess for the first time and she has talking ponies.' Sarah thought following the pony who had started chatting away about the castle. 'At least she speaks english.'

His brain was finally catching up with his body. His blood boiled like fire and his memories were still coming like a flood. He was back in his childhood hiding with his sister as men in armor break down his door. He felt the fear threatening to choke him once more as his sister screamed in terror. He finally woke up yelling as rage and adrenaline overriding his pain and need for sleep. His yell sounded like thunder and lightening flashed leaving a smoldering holes in the wall. Thomas collapsed back in his bed breathing hard his body aching and burning. He let his heart slow as his adrenaline drained. His body begged to sleep again and he was more then happy to oblige. The pain was nearly unbearable but his training kept him from letting it show. He groaned as he rolled over to let his back breathe it was sweaty and felt like he was lying on blankets wrong. This time as he slept his memories were not his own.

Sarah checked her reserve power. 'Systems at less then 20%.' The A.I. read as she continued her diagnostic tests. 'Why is it like this? I can't help brother.' She thought carefully running as few processes as possible while still maintaining conscienceness. 'Systems show that he's in withdrawal of chemical 4536.' She saw reading his vitals. 'Also his biometrics are all over the place. Whats going on with you.' She whispered letting the screen go dark. Her world was a dark nexus. 'Batteries show constant energy spikes.' She said as her diagnostics finished. 'Brother I need you.' Sarah sobbed into her ethereal hands and sat gripping her knees. She broughtbup his bio monitoring system again and let it just hover infront of her. Knowing if he flat lined so did she.

The real Sarah followed the strange creature. As near as she could tell. The beauticion was a living creature which if true meant that her current pastel world was not only real but might be the key to her and her brotheers freedom. The pony stopped at a massive door with a massive sun motif.

"My appointment is on the other side we can ask her what ever you want to know." The pony said with a happy tone. "Oh by the way my name is Fancy Cuts. My friends call me cuts though they say its cooler." She said as she opened the door and thunder sounded high above them.

The castle workers in Celestia's chamber were a buzz with activity. All of them receiving orders to check different areas and see what was going on. Sarah was quite surprised she saw winged ponies flying around and ones with horns levitating objects and in the midst of it all was one that not only towerd above the others it had both wings and a horn with ethereal light rainbow mane that flowed on invisible breeze. The white alicorn turned to the now opened door. Her expression went from worried to shocked at the earth pony and her friend.

"Your highness is this a bad time?" Cuts asked trotting in Sarah stayed by the door. "You can come in she doesn't bite." Cuts said humorously. Celestia shook her head no infact she was happy to see her friend.

"No, you know I always like our visits Cuts." Celestia said trotting forward as well. "Besides I need to ask our new friend a couple of questions." Celestia looked around at her workers. "Alright we are fine it was just some rogue thunder lets clear out of my room." She said calming her attendees and ushering them out of the room. Once they were gone she kicked off her shoes and levitated her crown over to her dresser. Then with a yawn she hopped onto a floor chair that looked like a giant cushion. "Sweet me that feels better. Now my child why not tell me how you and the other one fell out of that storm." She said pulling out some plates she had hidden in a secret compartment in her dresser.

"My brother's here, where is he, can I see him, is he alright?" Sarah asked worry evident on her face.

"Near as we can tell he's fine, just resting we found him pretty banged up but nothing serious." Celestia said as she moved a picture from a wall revealing a small safe. "I have no problem with you seeing him but I would prefer you answering questions firsts. You know safety of my kingdom first and all." Celestia said opening the vault and revealing it to be full of cakes. "Though, I supposed I should first ask if you would like a slice?" Celestia said with a smile. Cuts giggled knowing that her friend always did have a sweet tooth.

"I guess I could stay for a slice of chocolate." Sarah said with a light smile. 'Looks like we might finally be free here.' She thought looking at the princess as she served up cake slices. "Well you see it starts about 15 years ago I was 5 Thomas was 6 and a man from a corporation came." She began.

'Another spike in his electrical field.' The A.I. said looking at Thomas's biometric readout. She checked his heart and brain ensuring that they were normal aside from his pain. 'That fracking witch how dare she do this to us.' Sarah said pacing in her void. 'This pain is her fault set us free, what does she know we were happy we had each other that's all we need.' She said throwing up her hands. 'Wait she called him brother, that's means she is his sister.' She stopped as she pulled up the video of when they first met of the doctors giving her someone else's name. 'I don't want to be her any more.' She said sadly. Thats when it occurred to her. 'I can be anyone.' She said pulling up her subroutines.

"I commend you on your bravery." Thomas said in a voice not his own. "Not many are foolish enough to stand before me and make threats princesses." He said voice sounding like building thunder. He was addressing two alicorns one white one blue each with an ethereal mane and tail. "Out of respect for you and your sister. I will forgive your youthfull digressions. You may leave now but my storms and my pegasai are my own." He said turning and looking fondly at his floating city.

"I'm sorry uncle." The white one yelled as something struck his back. "But I need your storms." Hefelt the world going dark. 'Foolish girl.' He thought with pity as he with the last ounce of his power made it so sg e could never have his power. As the last of his conscienceness he heard the blue one yelling at her sister.

Luna woke up from her dream it was one she should have never seen let alone the ones before. She had seen horrors from another world. 'Why would he have uncles memories?' She thought knowing one thing for certain she needed to see the man with her uncle's memories. Especially since they were his last.

Thomas finally woke up again his body still ached his mind felt fracture. He had memories thousands of years worth that weren't his he knew that but he also knew they were his now as was something else. He stood and looked at his hands. They surprised him as he still felt clouds under his hooves. He remembered his dear alicorn sister. 'Galaxia I miss you.' He thought looking back on his fond childhood. 'Wonder how my nieces are last I saw them.' The memory of his death flashed in his mind. No his sister was small and blue she stayed on his arm. It was then that he remembered every thing. 'I was drugged.' This realization congealed the conflicting personalities. 'I died and I was drugged.' He thought laughing. 'They sent me through the mirror because I wouldn't cooperate.' He smiled.

Sarah finished her story and her slice of cake knowing that everything would be ok. She and her brother was safe from the corperation. The princess was more than friendly and as promised was about to take her to meet her brother. Celestia stood up from her chair with a smile. She trotted over to her door opening it she stood there mouth agape as Thomas stood there hands opened wide for hug.

"Celestia you nit filly get over here and give your uncle a hug!" Thomas said smiling his largest grin. Spying his sister his grin shifted to her. "Sarah! Long time no see hey thanks for figuring out a way back. Celestia look how big you got." He said to them both putting down his hands.

"This might be a problem." The girls said at the same time.

Memories From Another

Luna:
Luna had hurried to her sister's castle in canterlot. She was confused and nervous. It was the dreams that weighted down her mind. She had felt the clash of two minds. It really didn't help thst one of those minds was her long dead uncle. One whom she loved dearly.

Thomas/Tempest:
"So niece do you still hide cakes in your room cause I would love a slice." He said a large grin on his face. Thomas or Tempest he could quite decide which one he liked more. Watch as Celestia nodded her head yes. One of the guards behind him laughed. "You know this is a nice castle. Though it is also kinda confusing I nearly got lost twice luckily one of your staff sent me in the right direction." He walked into the room and took a seat.

Luna:
"Sister what's going on?" Luna asked landing on her sister's balcony. The fact that it had something to do with her long dead uncle disturbed her greatly. When she didn't get a reply she invited herself inside. Two her surprise she saw two things she never dreamed to see. "Dearest sister, why are there two of these pink creatures in your room?" She said looking from sarah to Thomas. "And how does this one know where thou hidest thy cakes?" Luna had noticed that Thomas had gotten to Celestia's secret cake vault.

"Well my word if it isn't little lulu I haven't seen you for while look at you and your sis growing up while I was away." The male pink creature said turning towards her. "As for the cakes she always hides them behind this painting. Now come here and give me a hug." It said holding out his arms and wings.

"I am curious as to whom thou art first." Luna said flatly the strange creature was entirely too friendly. She notice Celestia giving her the signal not to ask followed by a hoof palm when she did any ways.

"Come now you don't recognize old uncle Tempest you wound me." Thomas said feigning a hurt expression.

"Sister?" Luna said both alarmed and concerned.

"Oh I can prove it remember when Celestia first got her cutiemark and was being a insufferable filly." He said remembering one of his favorite memories.

"Yeah she wouldn't lower the sun for a week." Luna said tone getting soft. She still doubted his authenticity.

"That's right and you were depressed about not being able to see the stars and moon. So I the grand idea to raid little miss sunflanks cake stash." Thomas said laughing heartily. Luna rembered how angry Celestia had been after all, she loved her cakes.

Luna looked Thomas over again. She knew it couldn't be possible she had been at his wake. Yet the thing before her was acting and talking like her uncle. Her uncle who had tucked her in, lifted her spirits when she was sad. Despite herself she began to cry. Memories came back centuries of loving care from the old stallion who had taken them in when thier parents had to leave. He had been the one to teach them both to fly. She wanted him back.

"How sister she... she..." Luna couldn't finish. Her uncle had been the first in the unfortunate events that had created Nightmare Moon inside her heart.

"There there little filly." Thomas said walking over to hug her and pet her mane comfortingly.

"Oh uncle I missed you so much." Luna said crying into his shoulder.

Celestia:
Celestia watched the display not knowing what to say. She knew that Tempest's death had torn Luna apart and paved the way for Her dark transformation. However the human was mistaken he was not their uncle only a vessel for Tempest's memories. This truth more then anything else tore at heart since it meant killing their uncle once more.
"I'm sorry Luna but he's not our uncle." Celestia said as Luna continued to cry. 'Don't do this to me Luna.' Celestia thought as Luna shook her head not wanting to believe. "Its true he has all our uncle's power and memories but that's all he's not Tempest." She said feeling her heart break as Luna broke down in earnest.

"What do you mean I just have his memories I know who I am." Thomas said giving Celestia a confused look. Luma squeezed him tighter to herself. "It's alright Celestias confused too many cakes I think." He said trying to comfort Luna.

"I'm not confused I had to bury you and banish Luna for ten thousand years. I didn't know that my out burst would cause all this all I wanted to do was protect my kingdom." Celestia was nearly crying. Thomas looked at her connfused.

"I may have been drugged but ten thousand years did not pass while I was human." He stated flatly then winced.

Thomas:
The pain that had started in Thomas's skull as a dull ach was beginning to grow. He looked around the room taking in the foreign yet familiar sights around him. As the fragile peace his mind had found began to break once one. He looked down at the sobbing pony in hid arms. Her long ethereal mane floating on its own he knew her. Knew almost everthing about her but how. He was only 21 how did he have so many memories. Thomas tried to think but the pain, it had grown to much for him to bear. It was now as he slumped to his knees that he knew what was wrong. His mind was falling apart.

"What's happening to me?" He asked grabbing his shoulders and wrapping his wings around himself. Every one even the pony he had been holding looked at him with concern. He was beginning to shiver as if he was cold the pain causing him to convulse.

"We don't know." Celestia answered truthfully. "But is has something to do with a very old mistake." She said sadly. "Are you going to be alright?"

"Nope." He growled out as his body locked up and his mind started to go blank.

Sarah:
Sarah watched with as her brother's mind began to go again. She regretted taking him away. While the company had kept him a mindless prisoner they also ensured that his mind was intact. She had known that the detoxification process was a grueling mess of nightmares and physical pain. Thomas's however was compounded by his apparent absorption of another's psych. She watched with concern as her brother collapsed again his mind being torn apart and reconstituted. Inside his head, where things she could only imagine where being rearranged, a dangerous game of Russian roulette was going on. The process had any number of outcomes. But Sarah was ready wether he became a vegetable or a monster she would care for her brother. For her the problem was the other psych that had entered the equation. While it had left her brother warm and welcoming, it had also made him someone else who had been warm toward people other then her. It had angered her more then ever.

"So can we get those other memories out of him?" Sarah asked approaching thomas who had curled up into the fetal position. She wanted her brother back.

"I can attempt to lock them away. I cannot unfortunately remove them as I honestly don't know how he got them." Princess Celestia answered looking down at the suffering thing befor her.

"That might work if its all we can do." Sarah said disappointed. "So how do we do this?" She asked ready to get to work.

"Well I'll block out the past day or so with my magic. It won't be permanent but it should allow his mind to cope, especially if I set it on a delay so that only portions of his new memories can be accessed at a time." Celestia stated as she began to pace back and forth.

"Wait you can't just seal them off." Sarah said angry that he would still eventually remember every thing.

"I don't know how strong the memories are or how deeply the are imbedded in his mind. If I'm not careful they could resurface anytime and fry his brain like they are doing now. If I set them up to release at certain intervals it may spare his mind." Celestia said with sigh.

"If it will help then do what ever you can." Sarah said, it hurt that once again she was helpless to aid him.

Celestia:
Celestia prepared her spell. It was no simple task reversing her students memory spell. She felt no small amount of pride Twilight had grown so much. Celestia broke her revelry now was not the time. She had someone who needed her. Her horn glowed a soft yellow as she summoned her magic into her spell. The real trick was setting the delay. She felt the strain of her magic as she weaved her spell. She touched her horn to Thomas's brow. Thomas finally calmed down his psych no longer straining to keep itself together.

"He should recover soon." Celestia said her breathing was a little labored. "He needs to rest for now it can't be easy having your mind torn apart." She said leaning against Luna. Magic always made her tired. Luna helped her to the floor chair. "Luckily we have plenty of rooms you guys can have the two down the hall." Celestia wanted them close. Incase he needed more care or became well enough to be interviewed. She loked over at Cut. "Can you go get a unicorn to help Thomas to his room. Oh and a nurse to ensure that he's physically well." She asked the little pony.

Cut:
Cut left the princesses room slightly confused she had never heard the story of King Tempest's death. She died. She found it fascinating to learn history from those that lived it. Though she reckoned that there was some mistake she couldn't fathom Celestia killing someone. Still she was being asked for help so why not. Beside she found the visitor kinda cute. She giggled a little at the thought of it. She trotted down the counting the pegasie she saw untill a white unicorn turned down the hall in front of her.

"Hey Princess Celestia needs someone to help do some heavy lifting." She laughed as the guard acknowledged the request. She then went to go find a nurse. Though Cut couldn't help but think of how to style his hair.

Thomas:
Thomas found himself asleep again. He found himself asleep a lot in the last day or so. He found himself in a dreaming of his childhood. He was at play with his sister in their families front yard. Thier play was interrupted when a black car rolled up the suburban driveway. Anger welled up as the corporate representative. It was this bastard that had ruined his life. This was the man who lied telling their parents he was from the school and was impressed with one of thier grades. Thomas was impressed at how clearly he remembered this meeting. Then he realised that it was his last memory before the kidnapping. Hhi mind fast forwarded to that night when he woke up to shattered glass on his floor and a man in dark armor standing at the foot of his bed. His father burst through his door as the man reached for him. Armed with only a baseball bat his father swung to incapacitate the dark figure. The figure shrugged off the impact and turned drawing his bio pistol and pulled the trigger. The shot of compact bio energy tore threw Thomas's father cauterizing the wound to ensure no blood trail. As his father fell Thomas jumped from his bed and slammed the man in his midriff knocking him off balance. The armored man fell to the ground and Thomas ran for his door. Throwing it open he headed down the hall. He found his sister's door shut so he threw it open her room was dark his heart skipped a beat when he heard glass shatter followed by the sound of another bolt of energy being loosed whith a electronic plink. The room was a typical five year old girls room. Stuffed animals every where dolls various knick knacks. He found Sarah in a corner hugging her teddy bear. Her door slammed open the man in dark armor looked down at him as he stepped between the figure and his sister. The figure looked at him for a moment then reached out its hand.

Author's Note

The Mind Made Whole

Thomas:
Thomas awoke with a throbbing headache. He rubbed his temples as he got out of a bed that wasn't his own. The room was fairly clean making it obvious that no one lived in it. He noticed that the only light was coming from a large window with balcony. He briefly looked out of it and found that it was early evening. He scanned the room once more and saw his equipment. With a few brisk steps he was infront of the desk it was sitting on. Thomas distinctly noticed a lack of chairs. Thomas picked up his chest piece and checked it for damages. There were several scorch marks over its surface but overall the armor modules were in working condition. The batteries however were bloated and looked as though they could start leaking at any moment. He gently removed the two batteries, electricity arched between the them causing Thomas to drop them.

"Well that was strange." Thomas muttered as he carefully stepped around the batteries. "Gotta dispose of those later." He said as he opened a several panels on his armor. Checking through his suit's electronics he found that several of his systems including the emergency release were fried. "Luckily enough its just some of the computer boards shouldn't be too hard to fix." He said moving on to his A.I. unit. "Don't worry I'll get you up and running." He affectionately promised.

A.I.
"Emergency power levels dropping." She read as the alert sounded in her system. "Panels two three and four are open?" A smile danced across her new more mature face. "I see he's working on restoring functionality." She felt her system being removed from the armor module. She couldn't wait to show off her new form. She had spent hours browsing downloaded magazines looking for the perfect "data" to base her new avatar and she hoped he liked it. She also changed her name to one she had heard him mention liking. Her void like world suddenly sprung to life as her system showed full power. "Good morning Thomas." She said exploding to life from her module and striking a pose.

"What the..? How... Wait who are you?" Was all Thomas could say as the new sexier version of his A.I. appeared.

"I know right, since we ended up meeting the real Sarah I thought some changes were in order." She twirled once showing off her new proportions and her new attire. She had based her new outfit off a movie about ninjas. "I also changed my name since it might get confusing having two Sarahs around. So from now on call me Tracy, k."

Thomas:
Thomas stood dumbfounded, he was holding the A.I. module in his hand and she was acting as though she was on full batteries. Not to mention that she had the looks of a supermodel dressed in a skimpy ninja outfit.

"We can talk about your changes later how are you at full power?" Thomas asked concerned.

"What do you mean?" She asked looking around for her batteries. She saw them laying on the floor. "Uhmm, it seems that your bioelectric field is still supercharged." Tracy stated bringing up her moniter screens. "Infact I'm reading excessively high voltage." She found it fascinating it was like she was reading the electrical current of a lightning storm. "How's your armor it felt like you were fighting a storm earlier." She asked indicating that the conversation should stop there for now.
"That would explain why my circuit boards are fried." He said trying to remember. "I can't really remember. In fact I don't even know how long I've been out." He stated flatly.

"By my count you've been asleep for a day and a half give or take I lost your vitals when I was removed." Tracy said with a hint of anger. Thomas chuckled a little at her attitude. He recalled when she chewed out his doctor for turning her off during a checkup.

"Well at least I don't need to worry about your power supply for now." Thomas said placing her in his other hand. "One thing's for sure we need to fix my armor I feel exposed." He turned back to his armor module. He opened another compartment that contained a belt with holsters for both his pistol and her A.I. module. Tracy powered down so Thomas could hook her into the belt. He firstly removed the velts battery which arched in his hands as the electricity in his body overcharged it. He flipped the belt over and opened the back side of the panel. With some slight modifications he juryrigged the belt to feed off his bioelectric field. He snapped the thin computer device onto the belt. He grabbed his pistol next and it instantly read that it's ammo compacitor was full. "Thats useful but hopefully the compacitor won't overload." He whispered as he secured the belt around his waist and thigh.

Luna:
Luna stood on the deck of her sister's tallest tower. It was here that Celestia watched her kingdom for trouble. Tonight she had been asked to keep a special eye out for trouble. She scoured the night with both her eyes and magic. She looked through the dreams of her charges always ensuring that her charges could sleep. Luna looked left and down. To the room where her interest truly layed.

"I wonder what he's up too." She thought spotting a brown unicorn in golden armor walking past his door. "I should really visit him." Luna said aloud as she continued scanning Equestria for trouble. She recalled the events of the day and felt both sorrow and curiosity. Her uncle had returned only to be exposed as a confused individual who only had his memories. Then Celestia had shattered both his minds first attempt at repair and her emotional reunion. She felt a little dark voice in her head begin to speak. 'She did it again, she took what was important what you love.' It hissed trying to get a foothold in her heart again. "Celestia didn't mean to she was just trying to fix things." She defended. 'She caused it in the first place, was it not her who slew your uncle, did she not steal your people's love and make you a villain for a thousands of years?' It whispered venomously. "I will not give into you again, never will we rise as the Nightmare." Luna said the last of her statement as a whisper. Few knew that she had something else in her which is why she often refered to herself as we. 'Fine princess but your weakness will cost you everything you hold dear.' Nightmare said receding into her subconscious. Luna shook her head she disliked Nightmare yet knew that she now permanently inside her. Sighing she returned to her duties hoping that Nightmare wil stay silent.

She again looked over to Thomas's room she really did feel like visiting now. Luna spotted movement behind the heavy burgundy curtains. She thought about calling out to him but decided against it. Instead she sent word to one of her hand maidens, a cheerful mare whith a dark brown coat and white mane and tail with a midnight blue streak in them, magically asking her to find out how the human was feeling. She didn't want him to have another episode.

Starlight Lotus:
Starlight or as her friends called her star was surprised when her princess contacted her. Luna let Star know that a friend of hers had just woken up from a really bad time and needed to be checked on. When the message that had been simple floating green words in the air. Since she was in the kitchen Star had decided to grab some coffee for them both. She rounded a corner balancing the tray on her head. When a guard and politician nearly ran into her. Starlight back peddled and thankfully didn't spill any of her drinks.

"See what I mean its disgraceful how the princesses keep these commoners around." The politician an unicorn with a light cream mane and red coat.

"Yes sir truly disgraceful." The gaurd said shifting uncomfortably he obviously didn't like the topic of this conversation.

"Yeah but atleast we are well mannered commoners." Star said looking the politician in the eye. "You ought to learn some manners." She stood enjoying the look of shock on the stallions face. She walked through the indignant stallion and his guard. She spotted a grin on the guards face, he was loving watching his boss squirming. As she continued on she heard the conversation pick back up. She sigh many of the aristocracy was getting to the same point some even went so far as saying the tribal class system should be reimplemened. She shook off the feelings that the meeting had left with her. She stopped infront of a large set of stylised doors with a moon motif. She heard some voices from inside the room. "Welp guess I wasn't the first one here." She said knocking.

Thomas:
Thomas was chatting with Tracy, mostly about what had happened since he was a few days, the sudden knocking on his door. He and Tracy stopped and looked at the door. Thomas's training kicked in a stopped him from answering. Tracy looked over to the door with a quizzical look.

"Come in." Tracy called wanting to see who it was.

"Sorry to intrude..." The pony paused mouth agape. Both Thomas and Tracy were staring in shock. Thomas recovered first. Strangly enough it didn't bother him that much after the initial shock.

"H... hello ma... ma'am." Thomas managed to say his years of isolation showing in his voice. 'Dam why is this hard.' He thought with a sigh.

"Oh, ah hi, uhm... I heard you were up so I brought some coffee." She said uncomfortably the thing infront of her throwing her off. "Can you drink coffee? I've never dealt with whatever you are before." She apologized. "Will we need another cup I only brought enough for us?" She said looking at tracy.

"Oh, no worries I'm a artificial intelligence designed to aid assist Thomas." Tracy proclaimed proudly. She truly loved her job.

"Oh your like his hand maiden." Star said happily as she moved over to his desk. She slid the tray onto the desk. She spotted the armor modules sitting next to her tray. "What's that?" She asked indicating the armor.

"That's Thomas's armor but it needs repairs." Tracy explained, she was happy to finally be doing what her programming was designed to do.

"Armor huh, wait your a knight aren't you?!" She exclaimed turning to him in surprise. She hadn't expected to be serving a foreign knight. "You must tell me about your kingdom." She simply loved anything foreign.

"He really can't Thomas was kept separate from everything else so he could do his job better." Tracy said she still couldn't quite understand what prompted Thomas's earlier outburst.

"That makes no sense how can he protect his realm when he doesn't know about it." Star asked confused she had never heard of a guard kept isolated.

"They kept me separate so they could use me for evil." Thomas said hanging his head. "They stole most of my life just so they could make me do whatever they wanted. I've done things horrible things." Thomas let it hang in the air. He didn't know why he had said all that he had but it felt some what good that he had. Tracy looked at him in surprise. She had known that he was going to be regretting what he had been forced to do but she hadn't expected him to be so outspoken and honest about it. Thomas stayed silent for a bit not knowing what else to say or even if he should should be speaking. He was at a strange place for him, he was free but all he had known was violence. His future was undefined and his past was a bleak waste land devoid of even the most basic of human rights.

"That sounds horrible why didn't anyone stop them?" Star whispered confused.

"Because no one could the victims had no rights and anyone who tried to investigate was either paid off or executed." Thomas said grimly remembering some of the missions he had done.

"But people still knew right why didn't they do something." Star stated flatly to her it was a no brainer. If those in authority failed to act it was up to the people to do something.

"They would be punished by the people sworn to protect them." Thomas stated coldly. He knew the truth of his world all to well. "If you acted outside your roll, you were made to suffer." He said looking over at his armor. As he stared a thought occurred to him. 'They turned me into a weapon.' He thought looking at his hands. 'I didn't have a choice before but now... I can be the thing that protects I can do what these ponies can't. After all weapons work both ways they can harm or protect its all about who wields them. "Star I want to do it." Thomas said grinning.

"Ah do what cause, I'm not into well things." She blushingly said confused.

"What, no not that I want to be a guardian a real one I want to make lives better by doing what others can't." He said rising to his feet. "I'm free finally free, but I know I'm a weapon I was trained for combat, raised for war and those that created me used me for evil. But now I'm in my own hands and as swords can also deflect a blow as a shield so to will I protect others." He felt fire in his heart he had a purpose one he had chosen and could feel pride in.

"That good sir is quite the noble goal." Star said with a wide grin. "Though you should really talk to the princesses about it first."

Something Amiss

Thomas:
Thomas was pacing in his room. Mostly he was trying to think of what he should say to the princesses. If he was afterall he was a stranger, 'And Tia was nervous around strangers.' Thomas stopped pacing as an an image of a young filly with wings and a horn hiding behind a black coated leg. Nostalgia washed over his mind for a second, then came worry. 'What the... somethings wrong.' He thought shaking his head trying to clear it. He couldn't go around calling monarchs by made up nicknames. 'I need to make a good impression. Maybe I should bring a gift.' He was being side tracked again but atleast this time it seemed helpful. 'Tia and Lulu both like cake maybe one... with...' He stopped again mid thought. Thomas's mind giving him information that he couldn't trust. 'What is wrong with me I've never met these girls yet I'm calling them by nicknames and planning to bring them cake?' Yet still the cake sounded like a good idea.

Thomas walked over to his balcony. As he leaned against the golden rail that left the marble wall and curved in a graceful arch around his balcony and then merged into another wall. He looked out over the kingdom of Equestria as in was bathed brightly by Celestia's noon sun. He could feel a soft breeze wash over him as he stood leaning on the railing. 'Beautiful weather but the land is crying.' He thought staring to the south. He could feel the land calling for a true storm, one that would topple the trees, move stone, tear at its surface. One that would let itself renew that which was old, dead or broken. Thomas shuddered just a little as he felt something welling up in answer to the lands plea. It faded as quickly as it came. 'The withdrawal must have done more damage than I thought.' He mused turning from the vibrant world before him.

Luna:
Luna sat beside her sister during Celestia's open court. It was abnormal that both princesses attended as only one could present rulings over the petitions brought before them. Since Celestia was the overseer of the sun court it Luna was just there to lend support to her still frazzled sister. 'Stars above this is as boring as ever.' She thought listening to a farmer who was trying to get an extra hour of sunlight. 'Why do ponies dislike my beatiful night.' Luna thought dejectedly.

"I will not postpone the night simply because you're to cheap to hire help." Celestia said her features never changing. "If I leave out the sun to long your crops will wither and die anyways." She said explaining most of her reason. As the farmer bowed and was escorted out Celestia leaned over to Luna. "After this how about we go for some cake? Also how bout the moon coming out a little early today?" Luna had to laugh at the last half of the statement. She liked how her Celestia had a mischievous side. Luna nodded with a smile as the announcement of the next petitioner was called.

As the name was called a female Pegasus guard strode in her armore gleaming silver in the light. Luna couldn't recognise the Pegasus or which guard she belonged too, and that worried her. The petitioner waited to be recognized by the throne and asked why she was here. She stared at the sisters her forest green eyes looking at them expectedly. Her seafoam green mane had been done up as a pony tail and her light blue coat was immaculate. Her cutiemark was lightning striking around a sword.

"Please speak you petition." Celestia said a little worried as the Pegasus had not given her name, rank, or reason for being here to the page for announcement.

"Of coarse your Highness, I am Lightning Dancer of the storm guard and our petition is simple." The mare said not Letting the shocked gasps of the nobles bother her. Luna was herself shocked the storm guard had been disbanded when her uncle died. "We would like you to release our monarch and his holds." The Pegasus said coldly. She clearly did not like the royal sisters.

'Yet another obstacle to our uncle's recovery.' Nightmare whispered unamused. 'The gaul of these failed guards. They do not deserve our time, tell them off the night guard will handle uncle Tempest's security.' She hissed in Luna's ear. Luna stayed stoic trying not heed the voice in her mind, despite her complete agreement. She looked over at the shocked expression that Celestia had plasterd on her muzzle.

Celestia:
'Ponyfeathers!' Celestia cursed, she wracked her brain for how the storm guard was still active let alone so well informed. 'Spies in my court again!' She lamented as her mind run several possibilities. The Pegasus infront of her stared at her expectantly.

"The Storm Court is no more. My uncle is, as unfortunate as it is, deceased." Celestia tried to reason with the mare before her. "As such his holds will stay where they can be governed and..." she was cut off by the mare holding up her hoof.

"The new Storm Lord is as you know still alive and as such is deserving a renewed kingdom or do you plan on murdering our liege again." Lightning spat vehemently. She and her forebears had waited millennia for their Lord's return. She let a small smile play across her lips as she heard the gasps from the ponies around her.

Yet again Celestia was shocked. She couldn't refute the charge of the pegasus. While she had no intention of harming Thomas. Her previous mistake had indeed ended in tragedy. Still the storm court was gone it had been since her uncle's death. Now though it was back and demanding her to hand over something she didn't understand and let him rule over ponies that belonged to her.

"I cannot comply we don't know enough about what has happened. Also the holds such as Cloudsdale have been fully integrated parts of Equestria since Tempest's death." She tried reasoning. The mare though was unamused. It was clear that she didn't like the answer. "We can however let your guards perfom their duties." Celestia tried at a compromise.

"Your Highness we will accept the return to our duties we can only do so if you promise that we will complete care over our liege and that his holds will be prepared for his return." Lightning said with a bow she knew That Celestia truly had no claims on any of her lieges lands. The representatives of the pegasie cities were chatting amongst themselves as the news of the Storm Lord's return meant that their old empire was returning.

"I concede that what you've proposed is sound we cannot in good conscience keep him from his rights." Clestia was being careful this was where it could all fall apart. "However He hasn't been prepared for the rigors of rule and as such he shall remain here and be taught all he needs before he is allowed full control. I will how ever give him Cloudsdale as both teaching aid and to see how the integration goes." She watched as the mare before her nodded in acceptance. She wasn't going to argue after she had already won most of what she wanted.

Thomas:
Thomas walked the halls of his new castle home. He was looking for a kitchen. He had gotten fairly hungry since he had been up most of the night already. He leisurely observed his surroundings. 'Where did they get all this marble.' He thought to himself as he walked the white halls he. He looked at several stain glass windows. 'How do they manage all this with hooves.' He mused as he went from one glowing piece of Equestrian history to another.

"Halt!" The resounding command pulled Thomas from his musings. He turned to face a red coated unicorn and his guard. "What business do you have in the castle creature!" The unicorn hissed coming closer his horn aglow with magic.

"Woah easy there, I'm a guest I was just trying to find the Kitchen." Thomas said bringing his hands up remembering that Starlight had mentioned that glowing horns meant danger. His training was fighting hard against his mind to simply eliminate the pony before him. The red stallion snorted in derision.

"What did I tell you first commoners now what ever this trash is." The unicorn said coldy. He hesitated a moment before letting the glow fade from his horn. " Next time have an escort or else." He sneered before leaving.

Thomas didn't say anything as the pony walked past. 'If you even tried to touch me, I'd personally turn you to glue.' He thought turning from the pony he did however take note that the unicorns cu tiemark was infact a bottle of glue. 'So whoever's incharge of that has a sense of irony.' He stifled a laughas he turned to continue looking for the kitchen. He didn't get far as a group of golden armored guards stopped him.

"Can we help you sir?" The largest asked calmly. He was a large unicorn with a white coat and golden tail.

"Yes I'm looking for the kitchen I was getting a little hungry." Thomas answered equally as calm. 'Atleast they're not threatening me yet.' He thought as the unicorn contemplated the best answer.

"Dawn Runner show this man to the mess." He said as a small brown coated pony shot to attention. "I never was good at handing out directions." He smiled to Thomas. Thomas found that overall these ponies seemed far to friendly. "Also shall we notify yoir sister that you are up?" He asked helpfully.

"Uhmm, sure I should talk to her at some point." Thomas said rather nonchalant.

"Wait I just remembered the princess needed to speak with you as well, she invited you to lunch with her." The unicorn stated evenly.

"Oh, in that case how long before Tia's ready?" Again nonchalant.

"Should be the next hour or two... Did uou just call princess Celestia Tia?" The guard was looking confused.

"Sorry I seem to keep making mistakes like that." Thomas said glummly.

"She actually might not mind." The guard shrugged. Thomas was then escorted to where he would await Celestia and was brought a light snack and tea.

Celestia:
Celestia was able to get through the rest of her court without incident. Her military commanders had opted not to keep her after what had happened with the storm guard. As she left the throne room she found Lightning waiting for her.

"Your Highness." Was all the greating she got befor the storm guard took a position behind her and began to follow.

"Lightning if you will I have business to attend to." Celeatia tried to tell her.

"I already know your having lunch with him." Lightning notified her coolly

"Just how big is my security hole." Celestia sighed desponded. Lightning didn't give her an answer. 'Why doea this always happen to me.' She sighed again.

"Sister why dost thou sigh." Luna said coming through the same double oak doors as her sister. When she saw the storm guard she gave a little bow.

"Princess." Lightning bowed back. "As always a pleasure to see you." She was being humble. Celestia couldn't believe it.

"Wait what's this about?" She asked feeling slighted.

"You betrayed her as well thus indicating that she was unsupportive of your attempted coup." Lightning Dancer coldly stated. Celestia recoiled as if the comment had physically hit her. She felt horrible about both comments. She continued on in silence as Luna and the guard pony spoke to each other.

The conversation mostly covered thoer long dead uncle. Lum a recounted what a grand old pony he was. Celestia felt each word like a blade, cutting deeper and deeper into her soul with regret. As if in answere to her unspoken prayer she saw the door to her private lunch area.

Political Disinterest

Thomas:
Thomas perked up when he heard the soft hoof falls approach the large doors to he dining room. 'Don't let this be another servant.' He thought in dismay, Thomas had been waiting long enough to have a servant lead him to the kitchen. Where he had baked a cake from scratch. ’Still can't remember where I learned that recipe, though it looked delicious.' He thought salivatingly. He really hoped they liked it. Still they had some time before it was done being decorated with the frosting he made. The head chef had insisted they finished it. 'Though Celestia lookes upset wonder what's up.' He thought waving Celestial and Luna over.. He was surprised to see a third pony following them. 'Hmm silver armor let's see, oh yes she's storm guard. Looks to be a captain if I recall correctly.' He proudly thought to himself. Until he tried to recall who told him that.

"Ah Mr. Thomas you're looking healthy." Celestial said walking over to the round table. She managed a small smile for her guest.

"Oh yes I'm fit as a horse your Highness." Thomas said smiling broadly. It then occurred to him that he may have just insulted the princess.

"That was an odd way of saying that." Celestial said with a laugh. Thomas watched amazed as her stress visibly melted away with that one action. "So I take that as a human term how strange." She mused slipping into her seat opposite Thomas. "It's good to see that our worlds are not so different." She said taking her seat. Her face went from pleasant to confused when she noted that both Luna and lightning dancer chose spots a little to close to Thomas. "Luna?!" Celestial hissed in warning.

"It's OK I'm used to this by now." Thomas said with a laugh. "By the way captain what brings to Canterlot is Cloudsdale so dull?" He laughed as Lightning blushed.

"I'm here as a envoy to see your release and reinstatement as king." Lightning announced with pride.

"OK?" Thomas replied confused. "What do you mean reinstatement as king?" The look on his face said it all namely disbelief. "I mean no disrespect but I'm not even from this world." Thomas explain easily. 'Not to mention pretty sure I'm the wrong species.' He laughed to himself.

"Oh of your not let's just say we've been expecting you. Though you're superior to your pictures." Lightning said pulling a small hoof drawn picture out of her armor. It was a decent picture of his five year old self. Lightning suddenly found the picture being levitated out of her hands. "Hey that's mine!" She cried reaching out for her picture.

"Technically this belongs to Thomas." Luna said levitating the picture over to Thomas. "Though I must say I would like one as well." She said somewhat sadly. "I wish we had more paintings of him." She mumbled trying not to cry. "I'm happy uncle found a successor." Luna smiled at Thomas.

"Successor, no I'm not interested." Thomas declared holding his hands up defensively. "I mean my race no longer has monarchs." He explained hoping to dissuade the eager little pony. She simply looked at him with large pleading puppy dog eyes. "Sorry captain my race has a high cute tolerance, especially the males." Thomas said dismissively trying not to laugh at Lightning,s disappointed expression.

"A most dangerous ability in Equestrian politics." Celestia remarked laughingly. "So my dear captain what's your plan now?" She asked snidely innocent.

"Actually before we continue in such a strange direction I wanted to request something." Thomas said interrupting the increasingly bizzar conversation.

"Oh and what is it that yo would have of me?" Celestia asked her muzzle betraying her curiosity.

"Well I was kinda hoping that you would let me join your guards." Thomas asked feeling a little uncomfortable with stares he was receiving. 'Maybe turning down the the offer to be king wasn't the best way to ask for the a job.' He thought looking around the room for inspiration. "I get it, weird request seeing what I just turned down but..." He paused looking for exactly the right words. "I was raised for guard duty or more accurately to be a private military guard. I don't know any other kind of life and at least this time I would be in control of my own mind." Thomas finished staring up at the sky.

"You really are his successor." Celestia replied looking ashamed. "Tempest said something closed when our mother asked him to take over her job." She shook her main causing it to flutter more. "He kept insisting that he was a soldier first not some political pony. He kept adamant that war and the monarchy should stay separate, I should have listened more." Celestia said looking more and more dejected.

Thomas didn't know how to feel on one hand he felt like the princesses were family, on the other he knew something was off ever since he arrived. Still deep inside he also knew he didn't want to see either princess cry. Again he scanned the room and this time he spotted his escape in the form of a small waiter poking her head through a side door.

"Ah, looks like my surprise for you gals is ready." He said motioning the servant to bring in his cake. "I know its not much but as a thankyou for taking my sister and I in, I baked a cake."

Luna:
Several hours had passed since the conversation with Thomas in the small lunch area and Luna was back in her room stuffed with a delicious cake. 'He hasn't lost his touch chocolate cake withe vanilla custard filling and whipped cloud frosting.' Nightmare said as Luna rubbed her belly in satisfaction.

"For once we can agree on something." Luna replied groggily. "Still to think he doesn't want his throne back!" She sad flipping onto her side.'Would you he was slain for it last time.' Nightmare hissed she then sighed. 'Listen I'm not the badmare here even before I only cared about making us happy.' Luna was surprised Nightmare was being reasonable. "Well I guess we are stuck with each other." Luna said tentative wondering what Nightmare was getting at. 'I want to protect him this time. He's our uncle and we should be able to protect him.' She whispered to Luna's mind. "But he's not. Thomas is not Tempest!" Luna exclaimed back louder then she intended. 'Right... Riiight, that's perfect he's not our uncle only a king.' Nightmare laughed an idea forming in her semi deranged mind. "What are you getting at Nightmare?" Luna asked concerned. 'He's a king and we are a princess what do kings do with princesses?' Night made asked victoriously. "No that's... Just no." Luna said slightly disturbed by Nightmares proposal. 'And why not is he's practically alone and a stunning specimen of his species.' Nightmare argued happily. "Point one wrong species. Point two has ourour uncle's memories. Point three... Point three... Uhmm." Luna couldn't think of a good point three. 'Listen I admit there may be complications. But its us or some pony else like star maybe.' Nightmare said calling the image to Luna's mind. Luna found that she couldn't stand the site. "Alright you win how do we do this."

'Step one my girl give him what he wants but keep him close.' Nightmare said almost sagely. "So how do we do that?" Luna asked confused. 'Simple we make him a lunar guard.' Nightmare stated proudly. "Won't that be dangerous?" Luna queried concerned. 'I don't think he cares child his people live in space. Believe me it is unpleasant.' Nightmare said remembering a thousand years. "OK what's next?" Luna brushed off the comment. 'Easy show him we can meet his needs.' She proclaimed happily ignorant of human norms. "Oh I can get what's on his list for armor repair Twilight might have some of it." Luna said excitedly finally able to contribute to the plan. 'And the final piece of the puzzle is to show him our appeal.' Nightmare finished trying her hardest time sound lustful. "Oh, how would we... Rarity! Rarity would know how to do that she's got spike going after her." Luna said clapping her hooves together. 'Oh I had forgotten that... Uhm is there a nice way to say tramp?' Nightmare asked coldy. "Uhmm I think you say madam." Luna finished smiling ignorant of what Nightmare meant. 'So back to Ponytown?' She said not touching Luna's last comment. "Yep I can't wait to see my friends again." Luna said enthusiastically. 'Fine but no bringing Thomas Twilight wouldn't let us leave if we did.' Nightmare said already dreading such an encounter.

Celestia:
Celestia paced her office area. She had long ago chosen the room to get work done and knew nopony would disturb her here. Still the day's events kept her from working. 'I'm tryed so hard to ensure he wasn't being influenced by Tempest's memories, yet he goes and uses my uncle's recipe for cloud cake.' She thought in fustration. 'The infusion must be more prevalent than in anticipated. In which case I can't remove his new memories without a totsaidind wipe.' Celestia thought sadly. She stopped pacing she still had documents to sign and peruse. 'Right Equestria first.' She though buckling down to work.

Before she could begin however she heard some pony knock at her door. 'Really, what pony in their right mind...' She thought ripping the doors open. Her anger melted as soon as she saw who was standing at her door.

"Twilight! What brings you here?" Celestia exclaimed pleasantly surprised.

"The girls wanted me to check on the creatures you pulled from the Everfree." Twilight said meekly.

"Well they're well." Celestia moaned dejectedly.

"Oh and Rainbow mentioned that your uncle Tempest is back?" Twilight asked confused.

"Should have known, so what does she know about him?" Celestia asked exasperated.

"Said her mother was captain of his personal guard?" Twilight replied almost proudly.

"So Lightning Dancer is her mother of coarse." Celestia was half torn between laughing and sobbing in frustration. 'Why do all my pegasai seem to be secret servants of my long dead uncle?' She thought marching back to her small writing area. "So what else did you here is Fluttershy a secret agent?" Celestia moaned.

"Oh no, but her father is a general in his army." Twilight replied worried. "Also did you issue armor change for the guards?" Twilight asked confused.

"What!" Celestia shouted yanking her door open again. Looking outside she spotted her normal appointment of guards save every Pegasus was wearing storm guard armor. "Well I guess I found my security leak!" She called angrily. 'This was supposed to stay under wraps till I figured things out!' She thought turning back to Twilight. "Sorry it's been an extremely trying week." Celestia said bringing her hoof to the bridge of her muzzle.

"Is your uncle one of those ponies like Blue blood." Twilight asked shuddering.

"Heavens no he's actually quite nice and he is not my uncle." Celestia said sadness returning. "Twilight I need to tell you about what happened between my uncle and I." She said turning solemn.

Author's Note

As promised another chapter hope you guys enjoy.

The Nightmare's Plan

Luna:
The dark blue alicorn woke the next night and decided that her plan should proceed quickly. After luna performed her duty of raising the moon. She looked over the list Thomas had given to her. Luna looked it over trying to make sense of it.

"Nighty, we might have a problem." Luna said aloud as she walked down a castle hall, list floating next to her. 'What could possibly be an issue? We haven't even begun to initiate our plan.' Nightmare saod nonchalantly. "I don't recognize half the items on this list." Luna admitted confused. 'What do you mean you don't recognize the parts? Foolish girl!' Nightmare yelled angrily. "Well miss tech savvy, do you what the buck a flux capacitor is? Let alone where to get one." Luna shot back bitterly. She continued for a couple moments in silence. "Well?" She finally asked fustrated. 'Silence, I'm trying to think of a way to get Twilight to help us.' Nightmare said loathsome of the concept. "Why are you so against her helping us?" Luna s
Asked confused, after all Twilight was her best friend. 'You seem to have forgotten that she blasted a kilead year plan to smithereens along with my manifest form.' Nightmare retorted coldly. "Ah, but she has only tried to help since then." Luna replied sagely.

Finally they arrived at their destination. And stood before the door that guarded Twilight's temporary room. She took a deep breath. Luna admitted to herself that she was feeling nervous. Mostly she was concerned with Nightmare's reaction to Twilight. Luna never had explained to Twilight or even Celestia why she had turned, atleast not fully. Infact she never told Celestia when Nightmare had first shown up. Luna knocked on the door while hundreds of plans and excuses ran through her fractured mind.

"Just a minute!" Twilight's muffled voice came back. Luna could tell that the young alicorn was upset, and more then a little tired, from her voice. Luna opted to wait patiently for Twilight. "Yes, who is... oh Princess Luna what are you doing here?" Twilight asked rubbing tiredness from her eyes.

"Twilight while I understand staying up to see the moonrise you shouldn't neglect sleep entirely." Luna chided friendily.

"Oh actually I was up doing research I often stay up late doing so." Twilight revealed giving Luna a sheepish grin.

"I see, well I would that you sleep early so we could talk before my other duties begin. But enough of that I need your help with this list." Luna said levitating the component list over to Twilight.

"Oh, what do we have here?" Twilight said grabbing the list with her magic. Twilight's face went from happy to increasing confusion very quickly. "Princess what's a flux compacitor?" She finally asked.

"I was hoping you would know." Luna said defeatedly. 'Well so much for the genius of Twilight.' Nightmare joked. "I don't think this stuff exist." Twilight said handing back the list. "At least I don't think it exists in Equestria. What were youing to build?" She asked quizzically arching an eyebrow.

"My uncle's armor is broken I was hoping to fix it for him." Luna said saddly, this put a hitch in her plan. 'You fool now she's going to want to meet him.' Nightmare admonished Luna.

"Wait I thought Thomas wasn't your real uncle." Twilight even more confused.

"You've been talking to Celestia." Luna noted sarcastically. "She just doesn't want to accept him because of what happened." She reasoned solemnly.

"I think there's more to it than that princess." Twilight said caringly. 'I think Twilight needs a stallion in her life.' Nightmare intoned disturbed. 'Wonder if she likes Lunar pegasie?' She began noting some of her finer guards. "But as fore the list if you can't find the components perhaps Thomas will know how to build them from scratch." Twilight said brightening. "Oh I would love to see that some of that list seems fascinating." She mused eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Well Tempest will need a some where to put it all together. " Luna mused before catching her mistake. 'Stupid girl you just called him Tempest infront of her!' Nightmare hissed at Luna. Luna shot a concerned look at Twilight.

"Celestia mentioned you liked calling him that." Twilight shrugged with an understanding smile. 'Ok I will now insert our hoof in my mouth.' Nightmare said in shock to Twilight's indifference. "If you want we can go and ask him together." Twilight offered still smiling. 'I still say neigh to that.' Nightmare said cringing.

"Oh I couldn't bother you with that Twilight." Luna said nervously.

"It wouldn't be a bother besides Celestia wants me to try and get him to visit his sister, he seems to be avoiding her." Twilight said confidently. 'Oh joy she's on a mission for sunbutt.' Nightmare snarked. 'By the way girl do you think she would like Midnight Chaser or Galaxy Sentinel.' She added still trying to be matchmaker.

"Twilight I would love for you to meet uncle." Luna said happily. "How about we do lunch we can discuss this then." Luna smiled broadly. 'Ask her about the guard we could ,ugh, double date.' Nightmare mentally winced at her last statement. Luna's smile broadened enough to make Pinkie Pie proud. "Twilight I have two guards with 'friendship' problems mind if one of them tags along?" Luna asked innocently. 'Friendship prob... oh I get it girlfriend. You devious little mare.' Nighgmare praised happily.

"I don't see why not but why only one?" Twilight looked at Luna concerned.

"The other is on duty tomorrow and won't have time." Luna said with a shrug.

"Alright then I look forward to it." Twilight happily grinned back at Luna.

"Good now get some sleep Twilight." Luna said freindly as she turned to leave.

As she walked down the hall again heading back to her room, Luna decided to a have a little chat with her passenger. After all the interruptions while minor still caused problems.

"Nighty we need to talk." Luna began only to be interrupted. 'Indeed do not think I have not noticed.' Nightmare said tersly. "Noticed what?." Luna asked confused. 'You've been saying I more it is uncomfortable to be left out.' Nightmare said a little squirmy in her voice. Luna picked up on it right away. "I'm sorry Nighty but ponies just don't use the royal 'we' anymore." Luna said wearily. 'I know but its nice to be apart of life I am stuck here and I do have input.' Nightmare said sadly. "Yeah about your input could you tone it down you've been interrupting a lot recently." Luna admonished her other personality. 'I apologise its hard to tell when noone else can hear.' Nightmare's apology came as a surprise to Luna. "That was easy." She mused. 'I know when I'm wrong. As is the mark of a good leader.' Nightmare said smugly.

Thomas/Tempest:
Thomas found himself holding a young Luna in one hoof while trying to change Celestia's diaper with his magic baby Luna cooed and wrapped her hooves around his neck trying to get his attention so they could play. It was then that Thomas woke with a start. 'What the? Why do I keep having those dreams?' Thomas thought shaking his groggyness away.

"Tracy what time is it?" He asked getting out of his bed.

"02:30 I was just about to wake you." Tracy said as she shimmered to life from her module. Thomas let out a yawn and began his normal routine. Now for most 2 am would be early but Thomas normally began duty at 4 am.

"Good." Was all he said as he fell forward. He caught himself with his hands and began doing pushups.

"Running medical diagnostics. Physiology seems optimal." Tracy said checking Thomas's vitals. She had been doing so repeatedly since they had found themselves in the alien environment of Equestria. "Still elevated bioelectrics though." She said somewhat concerned. She continued her scans and upon finding no other concerns began her self diagnostics.

Thomas moved from pushups to situps but was soon interupted by a soft knock on his door. Tracy gave the ok for entrance. Starlight opened the door with a shy smile she came bearing Thomas's breakfast.

"I see your already up." Starlight said placing the covered tray on his table next to his broken armor. She stared at the blackened pieces. "I see your armor still needs repair." She stated wistfully. Starlight had wanted to see the him don his armor since Thomas had told her about it.

"Yeah I asked the princesses if they could try to find the parts I need to repair it." Thomas stated between hus steady movements.

"What happens if they can't find them?" She asked with pure curiosity.

"Well if that happens we get the raw materials and fabricate the parts ourselves. Tracy has the schematics in her data base." He answered still not missing a beat. "I asked the princesses to look because it would be easier." He stated finishing his sit ups.

"You know if asked, I'm sure the guards would let you use thier facilities." She said watching as he walked over to grab the tray she had brought for him.

"I would but Celestia is trying to keep me under wraps." Thomas stated removing the cover of his meal. His eyes widened a bit when he saw a whole cooked fish. "You eat fish?" He asked confused, his education may have been lacking but he knew the ponies should have been herbivores.

"Actually we sometimes need the oils for medical treatments but aside from that fish is kept for dignitaries." Starlight said wrinkling her muzzle to the now much stronger smell.

"I see." Thomas stated, for some reason he felt like he should have known that.

"Oh, I just remembered Luna wants to know what's a flux capacitor?" Starlight asked wanting to know as well.

"Oh its a component designed to hold both a positive and negetive charge. We use it to quick change our suits shields polarity." He stated between bites.

"Oh, I don't know if that's cool or not." Starlight said confused.

"Trust me when you watch a plasma round burst one foot away from your face its very cool." Thomas said confidently. "How ever the best part is that the flux capacitor was first referenced as a joke in the science fiction genra of pre corporate earth." He explained further.

"I see so what was earth like?" Starlight asked wideyed in curiosity.

"Well there's a lot of history to cover over 100, 000 years in just the digital years." He said with a laugh. "Though in all that time we never did get rid of conflict. But then again that's what makes humanity interesting, we constantly struggle against all odds to improve and adapt." Thomas said smiling. "Lets take a look at an early example. In the year 1942 a place called Germany was experiencing a depression and a evil man rose to power."

Author's Note

Sorry release was so late work picked up in the last few weeks.