The class quieted down the moment Twilight entered. She looked quite happy as she walked to the front of the class.

She turned to address the class, “Today is such a beautiful day, I thought I’d just give you the day off. A's for everypony.”

The class looked around at each other confused. It wasn't like her to just let them go.

“What's going on?” a voice came from the door.

Twilight turned to see who it was and saw... Twilight.

The new Twilight walked up to the first Twilight and glared daggers at her, “Get to your seat.”

Storm dropped the disguise as he ran to the back and sat beside Scootaloo, who was struggling to hold back a laugh. She failed and the rest of the class followed.

“You like to have fun, huh.” Twilight said, “OK, I’ll let Midnight know to have fun with you then. How does that sound?”

Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Bell all got wide eyed. The only two thoughts in Storms head were, “What does that mean?” and, “How does Scoots do that?”.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

After the fifth mile Storm was ready to collapse. He's ran farther then that before, but the fact that he's carrying Midnight around didn't help. That and they had just sparred for two hours strait just before. He discovered that he can bruise.

They finally stopped in front of a house on a hill outside of town. Jacob was waiting for them.

Oh goddess, what kind of torture am I going to go through now? he thought to himself.

“Attention!” Midnight commanded, “Alright Jacob, do your thing.”

The human walked slowly to the terrified changeling and held out his hand. An intricate design, far more complex than the runes he's seen, glowed in his palm as electricity arced to his chest. He flinched expecting pain, but only felt warmth.

“There you go. Congratulations on your first rune.” Jacob said and did the same thing again on his forehead, “That's good for now. Learn those and I’ll give you another.” with that he turned and walked back into his house.

“Now, Storm, focus on the warmth on your chest.” Midnight said.

He obeyed, and the warmth started tingling until it shot over his whole body. Jacob emerged carrying a mirror. And held it in front of the changeling.

Storm looked at it but saw nothing. Not just “nothing wrong”, but nothing, he wasn't there.

“Am I invisible?” he asked.

“I take you as someone who's best at stealth.” Jacob said, “So I ave you a cloak rune and wind rune.”

“To use the wind rune concentrate on a form, in this case a spinning orb, and the rune simultaneously.” Midnight instructed.

After a second a spinning orb formed by Storm's horn.

“Good, that's the easy part. Now push it at that block over there.” Midnight pointed to a stone block about twenty feet away.

Storm did as he was instructed and pushed the orb strait into the ground ten feet away.

“Not so easy is it?” said Scootaloo as she and her two friends arrive for their own training.

The four young warriors practiced whatever they need to. Applebloom, and Scootaloo practiced with ranged combat, while Sweetie Bell and Storm sparred. After another hour of practice the four walked home.

Storm got plenty of looks as they walked through town, but not the looks of fear or hatred he expected when he got back a week ago. They looked at him with something close to reverence. Most smiled at him as he passed.

“I never thought I would be accepted so easily.” he said, “I mean, I’m not exactly normal.”

Sweetie Bell laughed, “If you haven't noticed, this is Ponyville. Here, normal isn't normal. Plus you did kind of save the world.”

“My hero.” Scootaloo said and gave him a kiss.

Sparks flew... literally.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Twice.

She was defeated TWICE the same way. The first time was humiliating enough but to be beaten by one of her own minions, that was unforgivable.

Chrysalis's second flight landed her in the badlands far outside of the sisters rule. Nothing survived here, not even changelings. This was to be her grave.

She thought when the thing appeared on her face that she would be unbeatable. The mask's powers were limited to entering the eyes of ponies. She didn't count on a blind filly and ANY non-pony ,much less one of her own, being a threat.

“Damn, you, you little bitch.” she cursed the filly, “I swear if I get one more chance I will tear you apart while that traitor watches.”

“Would you now?”

Chrysalis spun around looking for the source of the voice. Standing behind her was a creature like she had never seen before. It looked like a disfigured werewolf with a red-brown coat and a black steel claw. No, not a wolf Chrysalis thought to herself, A coyote.

“Who and what are you?” she asked.

“I am Nag-Ta, a demon lord.” it said.

It's voice was far deeper than she expected from a creature so small. It wasn't much taller then a pony, and would have been a few inches shorter on all four.

“I can help you get revenge.” it said.

“What could a creature as small and weak as you do for me?” she sneered.

He reached out and touched her with his clawed paw. The moment he made contact a tremendous pain shot through her entire body. She screamed in agony as a sadistic grin spread across his face.

“I am your master. Do you understand?” he said. She nodded, “Good, now come my Element of Deception, we have others to find.”

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

In the turmoil that Chrysalis's attack caused nopony noticed the smug smile, sunglasses or lewd hand gesture the statue of Discord suddenly had.

To be continued...