Chapter 2
The Other Brother

Alexei, the Dragon of Darkness, attempted to take over Equestria with Discord and his army of shadow dragons more than 10,000 years ago. The Dark Ages. In the end, his plan was thwarted by the Elemental Warriors when he was sealed in stone. After Alexei was resurrected, he tried to take over Equestria once again, but ultimately he was defeated by the chosen one, Flareon. It was thought at the time of Alexei's defeat that Equestria would never have to fear the darkness ever again. That however, wouldn't be the case. It was a normal day of death and despair in the valley of death, AKA Death Valley. A rabbit, seem to be lost after exiting from a nearby forest, obliviously wandered into Death Valley. As the rabbit was digging around in the ground in search of food, a black claw suddenly shot out from the dirt. The rabbit was so startled in ran away back to the forest in terror. Meanwhile, in Canterlot Castle, Prince Flareon and Princess Twilight were shown standing before Princess Solana in the throne room. Solana had just finished speaking to one of her royal guards. After he left the room, Solana let out a deep exhausted sigh. "Being a princess sure is hard work," Solana said as she sat back down in her throne chair.

"You're going a great job Solana," Twilight replied with a smile.

"You think Princess Celestia can cover for me again so we can take a little vacation?" Solana asked, "There's this beautiful resort I've heard about. I really want to go there."

"I think you've had Celestia cover for you enough times already this month...Princess Solana," Flareon replied sternly.

"Dad...I told you, call me Solana," she said trying to hold back a smile, "It feels weird when you and mom call me that. I don't know why. It just does."

"So...Prince Lunick isn't back yet?" Twilight asked. In response, Princess Solana shook her head.

"No...not yet," Solana replied, "Lunick sent me a letter a few minutes ago saying things in the Azure Kingdom would take at least another day. At best, he would be back by tomorrow evening." As the ponies were enjoying their talk, the throne doors suddenly burst open. When they turned around to see what the commotion was about, their hearts froze solid. Standing in the doorway was a black dragon who was wearing a smirk of pure evil on his face. It was Flareon who was the first to speak.

"No...it's not possible," Flareon muttered with his eyes widened in shock, "You can't...be...Alexei?!" In response, the dragon began to laugh. The sound of his laughter was enough to send chills down your spine.

"So close, but wrong!" the dragon yelled, "I take it by the way this dump of a city is still standing means that idiotic moron is dead. Am I right?"

"You're not talking about Alexei? Are you?" Twilight asked nervously.

"Ding, ding, ding...give the miss a cookie!" he proclaimed happily, "Yes...that's exactly who I'm talking about. So...who killed him?" He then paused for a second before pointing his claw at Flareon. "Let me guess...you?"

"How did you know?" Flareon asked, "Who are you?"

"Judging by your crazy high power level, there's no doubt in my mind that you could have killed him," the dragon replied, "I give you my thanks." Before Flareon could reply back, Discord walked into the room. When Discord saw the dragon, he froze in terror and immediately hid behind Solana's chair. In response, the dragon burst out laughing. "If it isn't the Master of Chaos and Mischief himself, or should I say...the domesticated pet. It isn't hard for me to realize that is what you've become Discord. Such a pity. You're as useless as always."

"What...what are you doing here?" Discord stuttered.

"I'm back! What else?" the dragon replied. He then pointed at Flareon again. "I command you to tell me your name!"

"Flareon. Now tell me yours," Flareon said in a serious tone.

"My name is Van!" he replied before taking a bow, "Flareon! I thank you! I thank you so much! You were able to do what I couldn't. I could kiss you on the cheek if I wasn't so disgusted with your entire species."

"Why are you here Van? Who are you? Are you related to Alexei?" Princess Solana asked. All she received was Van wagging his finger at her.

"I really don't want to go into too much detail because it's just too boring, but I will say this," Van replied with a mischievous smirk, "I'm going to kill every last one of you." In a blink of an eye, Flareon jumped in front of Van and quickly shot a fireball at him. However, it went right through his body. In response, Van couldn't help but slap his right knee as he kneeled down in laughter. He soon got back up. "You think I was dumb enough come here on my own accord with my current weak body after being sealed for practically forever? You're some kind of stupid that's for sure. I don't know how Alexei lost to someone as clueless as you Flareon. Ever heard of a shadow clone?"

"If you think I'm going to let you harm anyone you're solely mistaking Van," Flareon replied angrily, "I defeated Alexei and I'm sure as hell going to defeat you!"

"Sorry gramps...not interested," Van said without a moment's thought, "I doubt a pony who's clearly past his prime could give me decent challenge. Maybe like 20 or so years ago, but not now. What I'm really interested in is this multiple power source coming somewhere not too far from here. There lies the challenge I'm looking for."

"You can't be talking about Ponyville?!" Solana exclaimed with her eyes widened in horror. She suddenly ran at Van, but was immediately held back by Discord and her parents. "That's where Summer is!"

"Bingo little miss princess!" Van stated happily, "When I get all my power back you can bet that's the first place I'm going after! Canterlot is second of course." He then turned around and waved his right claw nonchalantly as he walked away. "I already wasted enough time talking to you losers. Bye!" With that, the shadow of Van vanished without a trace. It was awhile before Princess Solana finally regained her composure. At that moment, Flareon noticed Discord was fidgeting about nervously.

"Discord...do you know who that was?" Flareon asked. After Discord let out a sigh, he started to tell Flareon, Twilight, and Solana the story about Van.

"Van is actually Alexei's younger brother," Discord replied, "Early on 10,000 years ago, just after the Dark Ages began, Alexei and Van constantly argued to how they were going to take over Equestria. Alexei was more technical like a brain surgeon, while Van was more reckless like a raging bull. It wasn't long before a fight broke out between them. In the end, Van lost to Alexei and was sealed into a stone ball and buried underground. That is why there are not any records of Van. Many ponies confused Van as Alexei. They do look near identical after all. As for why Van is alive, I think it may be because of how after Alexi died, the seal on Van started to weaken over time. That is how he was able to break free. As for Van's personality, you saw it for yourself. He is very...awkward, crazy, and immature. Completely opposite of his older brother. Not to mention, Van always picked on me."

"Is he strong?" Twilight asked.

"Very," Discord replied, "It took Alexei 3 straight days to beat him. When he returns to full power, Van will most likely come here to Canterlot and attempt to destroy it. What worries me though is how Van said he was planning to go after the multiple power source he sensed in Ponyville. That can only mean one thing. Van is targeting Summer, Skyline, Chary, Melrose, Jasmine, and Jester. The new users of the Elements of Harmony." He then turned to Solana. "Princess Solana, you know what needs to be done."

"Yes Discord. I'll send a letter to Summer and ask her to come here with her friends so that I can speak with them personally to explain the situation," Solana replied. Later on, in the castle throne room, Summer and her friends were shown standing before Princess Solana.

"Mom, what's on going?" Summer asked, "You told me it was urgent."

"Yes my daughter...it is," Solana replied, "You see...it's about a dragon named Van who appeared here not long ago. He proclaims himself to be Alexei's younger brother." The ominous silence lingered in the air until Summer spoke.

"Alexei had a brother? No way!" Summer exclaimed, "I read most of all the books in Golden Oak Library and the Canterlot Archives and I've never seen anything regarding that dragon named Van. Maybe he's lying about being Alexei's brother."

"No, Van isn't lying Summer," Solana replied, "Discord told me that he is indeed Alexei's younger brother. Discord wouldn't lie about something like that."

"How can we be sure to trust Discord anyway?" Skyline asked, "What if he's working with Van as a spy?"

"Don't be ridiculous Skyline," Melrose replied, "Just because he pranked you at your birthday party last year, you've always been saying things like that about him." In response, Skyline scuffed at her and refused to say anything more.

"Summer, Skyline, Chary, Melrose, Jasmine, and Jester. I'm giving you a very important mission. Van will most likely be targeting you. As the new user of the Elements of Harmony, your job is too protect Ponyville and its residents," Solana stated, "I'm counting on you."

"What about Flareon?" Chary asked, "He's the chosen one that defeated Alexei. Wouldn't it be better if we let Van up to him? I mean...Van sounds really scary."

"My father's time has passed. He can't keep protecting Equestria forever. It is time for the New Generation, you six, to protect Equestria," Solana replied, "I have absolute faith in you. I know you can do it."

"Darn right we can do it!" Skyline proclaimed confidently, "We'll kick Van's butt so bad, he'll wish he hadn't come back to life!"

"There goes Skyline again," Jasmine said with a sigh, "Have you forgotten will be going up against Alexei's brother? Remember how Flareon had to sacrifice his life in order to defeat Alexei?"

"Yeah? So what Jasmine?" Skyline asked sarcastically, "I know what Flareon did, but I don't plan on dying. Not as long as I still have my dream of joining the Wonderbolts. Van doesn't stand a chance against us!"

"Yes...we get it already," Jester replied.

"You can count on us mom," Summer stated proudly, "I promise we won't let you down."

"I know you won't Summer," Solana replied with a smile as she patted Summer on the head, "You six represent the future of Equestria. No matter what comes you way, you have the power to move through it. May the gods bless and protect you." After saying goodbye to Princess Solana, Summer and her friends left the castle and headed for the train station. As they were traveling back to Ponyville, Summer soon found herself getting lost in thought. The fact that Van would be targeting them worried her, but as she wasn't worried. As long as she had her friends, Van wouldn't be able to shatter their hope. The future of Equestria depended on them, the new mane six, the new users of the Elements of Harmony, the New Generation.