Chapter 3 - Breaking Boundaries

Krious stood on top a tall oak tree. The dark-purple unicorn looked around as the lightning continued to strike nearby. His powerful magic throbbed with energy as it attempted to break free, but remained in check. The black clouds expanded across the horizon, and threatened the simple town at the other edge of the forest.

“Good, excellent!” The voice spoke in his head again, praising him for the beautiful creation. “I couldn’t be more proud of a storm like this! You have learned very well, and with my help you can save so many lives!”

The voice had been there for a long time. It was probably about 3 years by this point. It first arrived after Krious destroyed his home with his magic on accident.

He had a different name then. It was Neman, but he was given a different name later when the voice arrived to help him. Ever since he had been known as Krious.

Krious’s magic was incredibly powerful, and according to the voice even more powerful then Celestia herself. The problem was that Krious had no true personal control over it. Whenever he was in situations of extreme stress or emotional trauma, his magic would burst in a blue fiery explosion. This often ravaged the surrounding area, and put many people’s lives in danger.

Krious knew deep down that he would not be alive if it weren’t for the voice’s arrival though. The voice had some strange power. It was able to keep Krious’s magic under control when he was emotional. However, there was price to this. Krious had to give the voice complete access to his magic. Originally he thought this would be a bad idea, but he was proved wrong later.

Then he began to look up to the voice. The voice was smart, intelligent and cunning. It knew so much more about everything then he did. Because of that, Krious would do just about anything the voice told him to, such as creating this storm.

The voice never seemed to use Krious’s magic against him in anyway, and had proved quite trustworthy. Krious owed everything to the voice, and would rather die then let it go. He couldn’t risk killing innocent ponies with his magic. Not again, not in this lifetime.

Now the voice had created a plan, a plan to rid the powerful energy within Krious’s body. A way to permanently control it without the voices help. By using it on the storm, he would attract the attention of other powerful magicians. Maybe even the alicorn princesses.

If this happened, they would attempt to put a stop to it, and while doing so, Krious would pour his magical energy into the storm, deplete it, and lose the ability to disperse it in such massive numbers. If the alicorn princesses found him, they would likely put a seal on the magic and keep it contained forever.

At least, that’s what the voice explained. Since Krious was never a strategist, he figured it was the best possible way. The voice said it would be risky, but Krious agreed to it quite willingly. Any way to negate his magic’s strength would be accepted by Krious after all he had done.

“It won’t be long now. Soon the two princesses will arrive, and put an end to your power. Remember, when they begin to try and destroy the storm, put all of your energy into the storm and try to counter them! If you can unleash enough power they will be forced to come to you, and then they will seal your magic away forever. They ignored you for far too long, and now you will make them help you!” The voice explained.

Krious gulped nervously. “Alright… You sure this will work?” The voice laughed. “Ha! Work? It’s fool proof! There’s no way this could go wrong at all. Have my plans failed you before my dear Krious?” Krious sighed. “No… I guess you’re right. If this is the only way to permanently remove my magic’s power, so be it.”

The lightning struck a tree off in the distance. Krious watched as the tree came crashing down into the forest. “Is this safe? I mean, what if there are ponies in there?” Krious fretted. “Worry not Krious, I took the liberty to ensure nopony would be harmed! I made sure they all left before you started the storm.”

Krious thought about that for a moment. “But how could you do that if you’re just a voice? I mean, if you are currently trapped somewhere how could you have done that?” The voice sighed. “I always have to explain everything to you don’t I? You see, my magic has a very long reach, and so long as I have a little window of opportunity, it can do just about anything I want. You are that window Krious, and through you I can help protect other ponies.”

Krious sighed as well. It made sense of course, at least to him. Krious trusted the voice with his life and his magic. Who knows how many ponies would be harmed, or even killed if the voice hadn’t helped?

Lightning continued to strike around the forest, and the wind howled past his ears. If it wasn’t for his magic, he would surely have been blown right off the top of the tree.

Krious had so many questions still unanswered by the voice, but the voice told him that he would explain after Krious’s magic had been sealed.

Krious looked out towards the direction of Canterlot expectantly. The princesses would surely arrive soon. As the storm expanded towards the great kingdom, there was no way they would miss this spectacular thunder storm. After all, how many natural storms strike with lightning more than five times within one minute?

“Don’t you worry one bit Krious. Soon, you will never have to worry about hurting anyone ever again.” The voice said reassuringly. “You should be proud of yourself for remaining this strong, and creating such a magnificent storm!” The voice continued to praise Krious.

The constant praise reminded him of his brother. Krious’s brother was intelligent, and very caring towards Krious. His brother praised him for even the little things Krious had done, such as catching a Frisbee in the air.

His brother was the first person he truly looked up to, and found inspiring. It was one of the reasons he was so accepting of the voice. But, his brother was dead; the voice was alive and still helping.

Now the voice was about to make the biggest change in his life ever, for the better. To prevent losing any more loved ones like those three years ago.

A faint smile crossed Krious’s face as he thought of being able to live a normal life again, without the constant danger of death and destruction.

However the dark past still haunted him. His classmates bullying, his father’s beatings, his mother’s ignorance, and then his family’s death. These are the things he would never forget. Maybe Krious would get lucky and hit his head after the plan was complete.

Now until then, Krious had to keep the storm going. The lightning was slowing down, and the princesses hadn’t shown up yet. “Looks like it’s time for another boost, Krious. Unleash your energy, your emotions of anger and hatred into the storm!”

Krious did exactly as the voice said. He struggled at the strain of using his magic, then his emotions kicked in, and the storm surged forth, causing several lightning bolts to strike in quick succession.

“Excellent. It won’t be long now.” The voice said. Krious panted and regained his energy, as the storms strength returned.

The sky lit up from the attack the storm was leading on the forest. The sun’s light had faded in the city of Canterlot, and Celestia was beginning to fear for her kingdoms safety.

She turned away from her balcony and approached a table littered with books. She had been searching for an answer to the unusual storm ever since she discovered its strange qualities.

It continued to show evidence for her old enemy and rival, Discord, but when she checked Discord’s statue, it was still completely intact, not showing any signs of Discord escaping again.

Then again, it had only been around 157 years since he was last sealed. The stone imprisonment of Discord should last at least another 700 years. The monarch thought to herself.

As the storm drew closer to the city, a purple beam shot into the sky that formed a barrier around the city. Celestia sighed with relief as the Sparkle families trademark protection spell kicked in.

The storm pushed up against the purple barrier. The shield seemed to be doing its job. Suddenly a bright blue lightning bolt struck the shield with such force, that Celestia felt the entire palace tremble. The shield shattered into pieces, and disintegrated.

Celestia turned from her room and ran out into the main area of the palace. “Luna! Quick, we must find out the source of this storm!” She called out. Luna was already in the central hall. “What kind of magic is this, my sister? It is not anything from one of our students.” She said.

“Certainly not. This kind of magic can only be the work of Discord.” Celestia explained. “But how can that be? Discord has been sealed away in stone, and his prison is intact.” Luna responded confused. “I am wondering the same thing.” Celestia said, showing she was just as confused as her sister.

They both ran out of the palace and took off towards the storm, their powerful wings fighting the hurricane force winds. The lightning struck all around them as they fought their way towards the forest.

Suddenly the yell of a male voice carried across the wind reached Celestia’s ears. A blue beam fired high into the storm like a beacon, and the storm seemed to shudder with energy. The beacon stayed there for a moment, and then faded.

Celestia quickly made a mental note of the beacons location. “Luna, tell me you didn’t miss that.” She called to her sister. “I saw it sister, that must surely be where the storms source is!” Luna responded.

Celestia nodded. “Most definitely. Come on! We have to stop this before the storm starts destroying the city. If it can bring down the Sparkle’s shield in one blow, it can easily wreak havoc on the city.” Celestia explained to her sister.

The two sisters turned towards where the beacon came from, and flew to find their opponent.

“Wake up. You’re not dead yet.” A voice spoke in the blackness. “There is so much more left for you to do then this. You hold a much stronger purpose.” A faint light became visible, and slowly became bright. “Wake up…” The voice repeated over and over again. “Wake up… Wake up…”

“Wake up!” Fractal’s golden eyes shot open. “Come on you fool get up! Quickly!” Fractal quickly stood up, but immediately felt a pain in his front left leg and fell down again.

“Oh for crying out loud.” Fractal looked around and found a dark green coloured unicorn standing over him. “You need to get up and move!” The unicorn said. “Wha… What? What’s going on?” Fractal said, regaining his senses.

The dark green pony helped him get up and give him something to lean on. “There’s no time to explain, we need to get out of here!” A lightning bolt struck a nearby tree, and it burst into flames, snapping Fractal into full alert. “What th-“ Fractal’s question was cut off as the tree came down right beside them.

The dark green unicorn urged him along. “Come on, get moving!” Fractal looked into the sky and saw the chaotic storm ripping through the black sky. Straining his eyes against the wind and rain, he pulled himself together and started running.

“For Celestia’s sake what were you thinking?” The unicorn said. “Hold on, who are you? Where am I?” Fractal asked. “My name is Intredus. You are currently in the Everfree Forest running for your life.” The dark green pony explained quickly. “That’s really all there is to say. Keep going!”

Suddenly a scream pierced the air. Fractal immediately skidded to a halt, and so did the unicorn. “Invictus!” The green pony said, right before he took off towards the sound of the scream. “Wait, hang on who?” Fractal said, bewildered. He leaped into the air and flew after him as best he could.

Suddenly Fractal recognized the unicorn. It was the unicorn from those five years ago. The one that found him with that lady unicorn dead! But where was his sister, and why was he helping him?

The two of them came bursting into a clearing. There was a collapsed tree in the middle of it, and claw marks all along the tree. Signs of a struggle. Intredus paused only for a moment, before taking off towards the left.

“Wait, stop for a moment, I don’t understand what’s going on here!” Fractal called after him, before taking off to follow again.

Once again flying through the bushes and trees, Fractal could feel the adrenaline rushing through him. As lightning crashed through the sky, and thunder roared over and over again, he could feel his life was in extreme danger. But from what? The lightning? The wind? What was making him feel so threatened?

Confusion was something Fractal had to push aside for the time being. Someone else’s life was also in danger, and he had to help this Intredus pony find her.

Suddenly Fractal began to recognize where he was. It was somewhere he had known from five years ago.

This was the path towards the forest ravine.

A sense of urgency came to Fractal, and he flew as fast as he could to catch up with the unicorn. “Intredus!” He called after him. “Listen to me, this path leads towards a ravine! You need to slow down!”

“It’s not me I’m worried about!” Intredus called over the wind and rain. Fractal quickly put two and two together and figured out what was going on. Whoever Intredus was looking for was being chased by Timber Wolves, which is where the claw marks came from. They weren’t just being chased though; they were being chased towards the ravine ahead!

An idea dawned on Fractal. “Intredus, I know a shortcut! We can get there before them if we take it!” Intredus looked up towards Fractal. “Which way?” He responded. “This way, follow me!” Fractal pulled ahead of Intredus and turned left again.

Crashing through the foliage, Fractal turned right again, and the left in a zigzag pattern. Intredus called up ahead to Fractal as he followed. “What are you doing? How is this going to get us any closer?” Fractal kept going and called back. “The forest plays tricks on your mind! If we follow this path correctly it will take us to the ravine quicker!” Fractal called back.

“That doesn’t even make sense!” Intredus responded, sounding very annoyed. “It doesn’t have to, you just have to trust me!” Fractal called back getting desperate.

Suddenly they came crashing through the bushes, and found themselves right behind a pack of Timber Wolves. “What the?” Intredus said in confusion, but before he said anything more, they noticed some one up ahead of the wolves.

“Invictus! Hold on!” Intredus called to her. Then Fractal recognized her too. The look of anger and hatred on her face flashed into his mind as he remembered when they last met, eye’s burning with vengeance and pain.

Suddenly the ravine came into view, and there was no time to think about the past. Intredus and Invictus exchanged glances for a split second, and Intredus’s eyes grew wide. “No! Don’t you dare! Don’t do this Invictus!” He called after her.

It took a moment, but Fractal realized what she was doing. She was leading the wolves into the ravine, but where would she possibly go? Looking left and right, Fractal saw there was nowhere else to go but forward.

Fractal saw what was about to happen. It was a suicide mission. Fractal was beginning to panic. He couldn’t catch her, she would be too heavy. Then he saw a vine up ahead closer to the ravine. “Intredus, look over there!” Fractal pointed out the vine to Intredus.

Then it happened. All at once, she made a flying leap into the ravine; the wolves went falling off after her. “No!” Intredus cried. Suddenly a white blur shot past them into the ravine. Fractal skidded to a halt and grabbed the vine on his way, preparing to jump down.

But, when Fractal looked down, he saw a beautiful white pony with a multicoloured mane flowing in the wind. She was carrying Invictus up out of the ravine.

She landed on the edge and brought Invictus down off her back. Everyone seemed to sigh with relief at once. “Th-thank you so much.” Invictus started. Then Fractal saw who had saved her. It was princess Celestia herself!

“Wait… You’re princess Celestia! What are you doing here?” Fractal said. “How dare you!” A voice said. Suddenly a dark blue alicorn came down from the sky and landed beside Celestia.

“How dare you address your princess in such an informal way!” Fractal winced and stepped back away from the two. He realized quickly that it was princess Luna.

“Luna, be calm.” Celestia said in response to her sister’s outburst. “They are confused, and distraught.” Invictus backed up to join her brother.

Celestia then answered Fractal’s question. “I and my sister came here to investigate the storm. We happened to notice you three on our way, so I thought it was only best that I help out.” She explained.

Intredus was in shock. “Thank you so much your majesty. I can’t explain to you how grateful we are!” He said to her.

“Well, I’m afraid I must be going. My sister and I need to find the source of this storm.” Celestia then said. “Wait, hold on, source? Are you saying this storm isn’t natural?” Intredus shot Fractal a look as he asked the ridiculous question.

“Yes, it is powered by somepony, or someone’s magic. It’s most unusual that a storm would target anypony it could find, including villages and cities.” Celestia explained to them. “Now I really must be going. Please, get out of the forest before things get even more dangerous.” She said before taking off again. Her sister shortly followed, and then they disappeared into the storm.

The three ponies fell to the ground exhausted. Panting and heaving, Intredus finally said something. “What were you thinking Invictus? Running off like that without thought.”

Invictus sighed. “I had to find him. The orange unicorn described him perfectly, it was the person I saw by our mother after we found her dead.” Fractal stood up. “What? Orange unicorn?”

Suddenly Invictus noticed Fractal, and immediately charged him. “You!” She cried out. “Wait, stop hold o-“ Fractal tried to say as she slammed into him.

“You killed our mother! You were there those five years ago when we found her dead on the ground!” Invictus yelled at him. Fractal stood up again quickly. “Wait a moment let me expla-“ He barely got the words out before she hit him in the chin with her back legs, sending him flying into a tree.

“I don’t want to hear your lies! I know you did it, don’t you dare deny it!” She continued to yell. Fractal attempted to get up, but the pain in his leg returned, and along with the pain in his back from hitting the tree and getting hit in the jaw, he couldn’t bring himself to stand again.

“Invictus. Stop, leave him be.” Intredus said to his enraged sister. She quickly turned on him. “You stay out of this. Not every problem can be solved with chess! Why can’t you see that this pony is the cause for all our pain! He killed her, and now you’re stuck caring for yourself and me on your own!” She yelled at him.

“I didn’t kill her…” Fractal said, struggling. Invictus and Intredus turned towards him. “Shut up, I know you did it so stop trying to deny-“ Fractal cut her off. “No, you shut up and listen for just five seconds.” Fracal said. Blood was beginning to trickle down his chin from where he was kicked.

“I didn’t kill her… I tried to save her…” Fractal said through weak coughs. “Everything that just happened here… It’s why I knew about the ravine. It’s also how I knew about the shortcut… This ravine is where she died…” Fractal explained.

Invictus stared at him hard, but Intredus spoke first. “You mean, she fell off the ravine, just like Invictus just did?” Fractal nodded. “I tried to save her, but by the time I made it to her it was too late. She drowned in the water.”

Invictus finally spoke again. “Then how did she get back out? Do you expect me to believe that a Pegasus could just magically bring her out of the ravine?” Fractal shook his head. “No. Of course not, because that’s not what happened.”

Fractal began to explain, but then another lightning bolt struck a nearby tree. The tree came crashing down nearby and shook the earth beneath them.

“Come on, we’ll talk later.” Intredus said. “We need to get out of this forest!” Invictus looked like she wanted to protest, but she didn’t say anything. With Intredus’s help, Fractal pulled himself up onto his hooves again.

After a little while, they came back to the main central path of the forest, where they found Thunder Specter and Storm Surge waiting. “Oh thank Celestia! You found him!” Surge said, relieved. Fractal grinned faintly. “Thank Celestia is right, you have no idea…” He managed.

“What happened to you?” Thunder said, looking him over. Thunder Specter rushed over to take some of his weight. “I’ll explain later. We just need to get out of this forest.” Fractal said. “Sounds like a plan, let’s get going.” Surge responded.

A short time later, the five ponies reached the edge of the forest. Of course, nothing could prepare them for what they saw next.

When they came out of the forest, the storm had spread over the village, and was wreaking havoc all around. Lighning was striking buildings, and wind was blowing things away.

The five ponies stared in shock, as they watched Ponyville fall apart before their very eyes.