Tempest

The colossal being roared with laughter as Rainbow got up slowly. As the laughter died, he stood up to his full height of around 3.2 meters. Twilight gasped at the creature's stature. He was taller than Celestia. The creature sat back down in his throne and growled.

"You did not answer me, little one." it said.

"Sorry. Twilight Sparkle. Princess of Friendship. That's Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity."

"I am Skelnir the Northwind, Kell of Tempest." Skelnir said.

"The beings that captured us said they were taking us to you. Are you the leader here?" Rarity asked.

"Indeed. DId you not hear me? As I said, I am Kell of House Tempest, of the Fallen you see before you."

"Fallen?" Twilight asked,

"We were once Eliksni, but now we are Fallen, for that is what we are." Skelnir replied. "A once great race, now reduced to scavenging the ruins of worlds and battling among ourselves."

"Why?" Fluttershy asked.

"It is a tragic tale. But one that must be told. I have little memory of our homeworld. We were once visited by a Great Machine, that gave us power, Light, and life. We were prosperous and strong. Until the Great Machine departed. Then, a massive force of evil, the Whirlwind, swept over our world. Everything we had built was destroyed. We fled to the stars. During the escape, House Rain was destroyed. The Fallen now reside on other worlds, scattered to their houses, battling their enemies and the humans."

"Humans are a myth!" Twilight replied, and Skelnir laughed again.

"Humans are no myth. They now bear the responsibility of protecting the Great Machine themselves. Their "Guardians" are powerful, very powerful. But that is no matter. Their homeworld, Earth, was also visited by the Whirlwind. And we followed." Skelnir said.

"Why?"

"It is a difficult story. The Fallen once knew of a life free of scavenging, of hatred. Now? It is all we know." Skelnir said.

"How many Fallen are there?" Fluttershy asked.

"Many. There is no overarching "Fallen" term, more of the Houses that we keep." Skelnir said.

"Houses?"

"Yes. Think of them...as our last reminder of our home. Each House has one Kell, Archon, and Prime. I am Kell of Tempest. Valrik, my Archon, is leading the relief effort. And my Prime tends the wounded. But there is more than Tempest. House Devils has Earth, much to House King's chagrin. House Winter has Venus. Exiles control Earth's moon. And the Wolves...well, they claimed Mars, but we slain like the dogs they are." Skelnir said.

"Are the Wolves...important?" Applejack asked.

Skelnir bellowed in laughter.

"The Wolves are rabid dogs. They served Awoken for many years. Only recently did they rise in revolt. They were put down. Their banner torn, their Kell dead, they sought a cave to call home, on Mars. Cabal were not pleased. They, along with the Guardians, scattered them. Their Prime was slain. With no god, no Kell, house was broken once more."

"Their Kell was important, right?" Rarity asked.

Skelnir bellowed even louder in laughter.

"Skolas the Rabid, the Kell of Wolf pack, claimed to be the Kell of Kells. He was leader of Wolves during Reef Wars. He was defeated, and the late Awoken Queen declared Kell. He was given to the Nine, and...somehow, he escaped. He led a new uprising. He attempted to steal from the Vex, and attacked their Vault of Glass, where they harness their powers over time. When he attempted to pull his House through time, the Guardians defeated and captured him. He was sent to the Prison of Elders. He was later slain by the same Guardians who captured him." Skelnir said.

"Wait...these Vex? How can they just...manipulate time like that!?" Twilight said, shocked.

"To the Vex, time...is a plaything. A toy to them. The Vex have minds the size of planets. Their one mind controls millions of units. Guardians slew Atheon, Time's Conflux, at his Glass Throne in the Vault. An impressive feat, nonetheless. As for the Cabal? They are brute conquerors. But there is one race left that infests human system. I shall not deprive you of sleep by telling you of the Hive." Skelnir said. "They are demonic, evil, foul. They are spawn of the Dark, and of the Dark they rule."

The ponies flinched.

"But now? We must talk business." Skelnir said. "I give you an offering."

Skelnir drew a rod covered in the same wispy energy that Twilight noticed the Servitors were sending out earlier.

"Ether." Skelnir said. "Our life source. Take this to whomever leads your kind. Deliberate, then return to my Ketch with tidings of peace or war. You have three days and three nights to decide."

"Alright." Twilight said, taking the Ether rod.

"Kravsis!" Skelnir bellowed suddenly, and a large Fallen Captain stepped forward and bowed.

"Take them back to their village. Have the Kellsguard provide overwatch."

"By your will, my Kell." Kravsis replied, and he walked over to the Equestrians and escorted them out. As the door shut, Skelnir slumped back in his throne in exhaustion.

"My Kell..."

Skelnir turned to see Rarnsis, the Lorekeeper, his House of Judgement Scribe walk in. Leaning on a staff, his scribe's garb was ancient and old.

"Rarnsis...What brings you here?"

"I have news for you...O Kell." Rarnsis replied.

"Then speak."

"I have received word from House Devils. They have discovered a new technology, known to the humans as SIVA. Their Splicers have much to learn about it, but it is powerful, from what I hear. They have begun "perfecting" their forces with it, fusing it to their bodies in an attempt to become gods. But, I'll news as well. Their Archon has been killed at the foor of his throne."

Skelnir put his hand to his mouth in thought.

"Aksis is dead?" he asked. "Truly?"

"Yes. Slain by the Guardians who led the raid against Skolas. Vosik, the Archpriest was killed as well.  They are broken and angry. The Iron Lord Saladin has lead a new war in the Plaguelands. Their Archon's Challenge has become a toy of the Guardians. They steal SIVA offerings and desecrate their rittuals, provoking a trial by fire, that they often complete." Rarnsis said. "The Devils are in uproar over this. I have recieved word their Kell has not become Perfected yet, but he intends to punish the Splicers for their transgressions. Aksis had planned to usurp him using SIVA's power."

Skelnir nodded.

"Thank you for your message, Rarnsis."

"By your will. Also, Prysis the Dreg has applied to become my student." Rarnsis replied. "But he seeks your approval and a promotion of Ether before he starts. He wishes to be as able to work as quickly as possible."

"Then I consent. Send him to Skreviks Prime. Allow him to become a Vandal, but nothing more."

"I shall take my leave, then. Goodbye."

As Rarnsis walked back to the Lore Chamber, Skelnir looked out the shattered window of the Throne Room.

"Pray...Peace." he said, before turning around and walking out.