//------------------------------// // 7. The rise of an unexpected threat // Story: My Little Pony the Movie 2: Secret of the Magic Pearl // by Italibaso //------------------------------// The empty eye holes of the cave on Black Skull Island started glowing. Within a few seconds a pair of dark yellow magic beams shot out through the holes high up into the sky. Callidus's loud scream escaped out of the cave's entrance as the bright blue sky above the island turned grey from the magic beam. The sky above became covered with dark clouds that slowly spread itself around all over the island. Back inside the cave, Tempest and the other ponies still kept their eyes shut and held their arm in front of their faces to protect themselves against the bright light. Once the light had dimmed down, everypony finally opened their eyes again. Their attention quickly turned over to the statues and could not believe what they were seeing. The bodies of Skystar, Captain Celaeno, Capper, Twilight, Spike and the storm guard were no longer made of stone. Instead they had returned back to their normal selves and were laying on the floor unconscious. Princess Skystar was the first one to get up. She rubbed the side of her head and started looking around in confusion. ''What just happened?'' Skystar said in a weak voice before looking behind her. ''SKYSTAR!!'' Pinkie Pie shouted with a bright smile on her face. The pink pony immediately jumped over to the small hippogriff and gave her a big hug. ''Pinkie Pie?!'' Skystar responded in delight before hugging the pink pony back, ''How did you find me here?!'' Eventually Twilight and Spike regained their consciousness as well. The first thing they did was checking on the statues. Much to their delight, all of them had turned back to normal just as Callidus had promised them. ''It worked!'' Twilight said with a bright smile, ''Spike, it actually worked!'' Spike shook his head back and forth wildely for a second, still a little dizzy from just awakening from his stone imprisonment and turned his attention to Skystar, Capper, Captain Celaeno and the Storm Guard. ''Heh, I guess Callidus really was just trying to help us after all.'' Spike said with a relieved smile. Applejack, Fluttershy and the others immediately went to check on Twilight and Spike. ''Are you okay, Twi?!'' Applejack asked. ''Don't worry, I'm fine,'' Twilight said reassuringly, ''Skystar and the others have been freed, everything's okay now.'' ''I wouldn't say that just yet,'' Rainbow Dash replied to the optimistic alicorn, ''Look!'' She pointed over to the small pillar on the other side. Callidus, who still had his back turned on the others, was holding on to the magic pearl inside the black skull while breathing steadily. He saw that the pearl lost its magic glowing appearance and had turned black instead of white. A dark aura was moving around it and inside there was a creepy looking skull flashing every few seconds. A dark yellow glow soon appeared around Callidus's body with every menacing sounding breath he took. ''Power....'' Callidus said to himself menacingly before slowly letting go of the magic pearl. Captain Celaeno, Capper and the storm guard slowly regained their consciousness as Callidus's yellow glow around his body got more and more intense. All three of them looked over to where the glowing was coming from and saw the grey bird in a dark cloak. He slowly turned around and he revealed his face to everyone. They could see the yellow part of his eyes glowing, staring at them with a menacing smile that struck fear into most of them. The magic aura started glowing even brighter around Callidus's body, ''Unlimited.....POWER!!'' Many small lighting bolts came out of Callidus's finger tips that started flying all over the place. Some of them hit the ceiling and caused multiple rocks to fall down. The impact made the whole cave shake wildely for a few seconds as if it was an earthquake. ''Callidus, what are you doing?!'' Tempest asked after dodging some of the falling rocks. ''You still haven't figured it out yet?'' Callidus asked the purple unicorn confidently. ''What?'' Tempest said, still trying to process what was going on. ''I used you!'' Callidus exclaimed. Those words were like a stab to the heart, one that she hadn't felt since her last betrayal. Tempest looked horrified and confused as she came to realize the truth, no matter how much she wanted to deny it. ''Did you honestly think I meant it when I said that I had forgiven you?!'' Callidus said sternly, ''What happened to me all those days ago is just as much your fault as it is Queen Novo's!'' ''No....'' Tempest said to herself as her shocked expression soon got replaced by one of guilt and sadness, ''Not again.....not again...'' ''And now, thanks to you and those other creatures,'' Callidus said as a magic aura glowed around his claws, ''I finally have the power to take back what is mine!'' A shocked look appeared on Twilight's face as she began to realize what was going on. She slowly started to look angry as small sparks came out of her horn. ''You monster! I trusted you!'' Twilight shouted before shooting a purple laser. ''Don't make it sound like I'm the villain here, Twilight Sparkle!'' Callidus exclaimed, using his claw to send the laser right back at Twilight, forcing her and her friends to dodge it as the laser went into the dark tunnel, ''I lost everything because of Tempest and Queen Novo! My home, my respect for the creatures of Klugetown, everything! I need these powers if I ever wish to take it all back!'' ''What?!'' Captain Celaeno said in anger, ''You lying pig, I'll show you!'' She quickly drew her sword and charged towards Callidus. Captain Celaeno swung her sword at Callidus, who immediately blocked the metal part of her weapon between his two fingers with little to no effort. The metal started melting when a red glow appeared around Callidus's fingers. Celaeno watched in shock before Callidus raised his other claw and attacked back with a magical force push, sending Celaeno flying back to the others. ''I really don't want to fight,'' Callidus said with a stern look as his claws started glowing intensely with magic, ''But if any of you decide to stand in my way, then so be it.'' Twilight looked up at the ceiling right above where Callidus stood. She got an idea when she saw more small rocks falling from the ceiling as he was charging his next attack. ''Callidus, wait!'' Twilight said urgently before Callidus could launch his attack, ''I wanna help you with your revenge!'' All of Twilight's friends and the other creatures looked in shock at the purple alicorn's suggestion. But much to everyone surprise, Callidus calmed down as the magic from his claw faded away along with the aura around his body. ''Help me?'' Callidus responded as he gave Twilight a suspicious look, ''Whatever happened to calling me a monster?'' Twilight sighed to herself before approaching the grey parrot, ''I'm sorry. I was wrong to call you that.'' ''Twilight?!'' Spike said out loud, but the purple alicorn completely ignored him. ''You're right. You're not the villain here. And that's why I wanna help you take back your place in Kludgetown.'' Twilight explained. ''Have you lost your mind, Twilight?!'' Rainbow Dash shouted. Twilight kept ignoring her friends and continued walking towards Callidus until she stopped close in front of him. ''I know what it feels like to be betrayed by someone who you thought could help you. I've been in that kind of situation, back when I first arrived at Mount Aris,'' Twilight explained to Callidus, ''And that's why I wanna help you in any way I can.'' ''Twilight, How could you-!'' Callidus quickly raised his claw, trapping Twilight's friends and the others inside a force field before a desperate looking Pinkie could finish her sentence. They immediately started attacking the force field, with no results. ''Glad to hear that you've finally come to understand me,'' Callidus said, ''Once I reclaim my position as mayor in Klugetown, I will promise something very special for you and your friends.'' ''Don't listen to him, Twilight! It's a trap!'' Spike shouted while banging his fists against the force field. Twilight still decided to ignore the purple dragon and didn't even glance back at him. ''Thank you,'' Twilight said to Callidus before extending her hoof out to him, ''Do we have a deal?'' Callidus looked at Twilight's hoof as he thought about his decision. He eventually lowered his body to Twilight's level and started to move his claw towards the alicorn's hoof. A sly smile appeared on Callidus's face as small sparks started moving around his claw. Her friends and the other creatures could not believe what was happening. But just as Callidus was about to shake his claw with Twilight's hoof, her horn started to glow. Twilight quickly casted a magic spell to blind Callidus for a moment with a bright, burning light. She then quickly followed it up by shooting a purple laser into Callidus's stomach, launching him into the air. His body smacked against the rock hard ceiling before falling down. The force field around Twilight's friends disappeared in a flash the moment Callidus's body hit the ground. Twilight immediately ran over to her friends when the whole cave started shaking even more wildely than before. Some larger rocks began to fall from the ceiling, nearly hitting her friends in the process. ''RUN!!'' Twilight shouted as she ran past her friends and the other creatures. They didn't give it a second thought and immediately ran after Twilight into the dark tunnel. Twilight and her friends looked back as they made their way through the tunnel. Callidus was still laying on the ground unconscious. Just as he was about to get up, the entire area around him started to collapse. His body got crushed by the rocks falling from the ceiling, hitting every part of his body multiple times until he was completely buried under a big pile of rocks. Eventually Twilight, her friends and the other creatures managed to make it out of the cave. The entrance collapsed behind them right after they got out. The up side of the cave's mouth fell down, blocking the cave as a small sandstorm spread itself over the beach for a few seconds. All of them sat down and caught their breath after escaping the tense situation. ''Nice thinking, Twilight.'' Pinkie Pie complimented the purple alicorn. ''Thanks, Pinkie.'' Twilight replied while panting steadily. ''For a moment there I thought you were serious about siding with that bird brain.'' Rainbow Dash said. ''Of course I wouldn't,'' Twilight said, ''Everything Callidus had told me and Tempest back on Mount Aris was a lie. He was only using me and Tempest to gain that power for himself. He never actually cared about freeing our friends.'' ''But is it really true what Queen Novo did to him?'' Fluttershy asked curiously. ''Who cares?!'' Rainbow Dash exclaimed, ''Even if it is true, that doesn't excuse him for hurting all those other hippogriffs, does it?!'' ''I suppose not.'' Fluttershy replied. ''Speaking of Callidus, Is he...'' Rarity said nervously, afraid to finish her sentence when she thought back to what happened in the cave. ''I doubt even he could survive a big pile of rocks crushing his entire body,'' Rainbow Dash explained, ''We're safe now.'' ''Thank hoofness. So it's finally over?'' Pinkie asked. ''It sure seems that way, Pinkie.'' Applejack replied. Twilight sighed as she stood back up, ''I'm really sorry, everypony,'' She said with a disappointed look, ''I should have listened to you back on Mount Aris, then none of it would've happened.'' ''Don't blame yourself,'' Tempest replied in a somber tone, ''I was the one who defended him when you and Spike were turned to stone.'' ''What do you mean?'' Twilight asked. Tempest sighed deeply and repeated the same story about the day she and the Storm King's army attacked Klugetown and Mount Aris. It pained her to tell Twilight, but she knew deep down that hiding the truth would only cause even more problems in the future. The purple unicorn looked down somberly when she was done telling the story. ''I'm sorry I never told you this before.'' Tempest said. Twilight gave Tempest a sympathetic look and walked over to her, ''It's alright, Tempest. I forgive you.'' She said to the purple unicorn with a genuine smile. ''Really?'' Tempest said, sounding a bit surprised. Twilight nodded in response, ''Of course.'' ''Why do you always forgive me so easily?'' Tempest asked. Twilight responded by giving Tempest a warm hug, ''Because that is what friends do.'' Tempest felt a warm fuzzy feeling inside and slowly hugged Twilight back, despite still feeling a bit guilty about something. ''Awwwww,'' Pinkie Pie said while smiling warmly, ''All's well that ends well. Am I right?'' ''So, what do we do now?'' Spike asked the other ponies. ''Now we take Skystar back to Mount Aris, of course!'' Pinkie Pie answered as she got next to Princess Skystar, ''Then she can reunite with Queen Novo! And we'll have a super duper unbelievably funtacular awesome amazing emotional and breathtaking 'Mother and daughter reunion' party!'' While her friends gave the pink pony a playful smile and an eyeroll, Princess Skystar began to look somber as soon as Pinkie had finished her sentence. ''Well, I'll just go start up the engine of our airship then, I guess.'' Tempest suggested, talking in a somewhat somber tone. She trotted to the edge of the island where there ship was still floating above the ocean. ''What's wrong, Fizzy?'' Pinkie Pie asked Tempest, who appeared next to her out of nowhere Tempest glanced at her horn for a moment and sighed, ''Just leave me be.'' Applejack watched with a worried look as Tempest continued to make her way to the airship, ''Why? Everything's fine now, right? You can-'' ''I know!'' Tempest said before Applejack could finish, ''But I just need to be alone right now, okay?'' She then continued walking to the airship and climbed aboard. ''She must still be feeling guilty.'' Twilight explained to her friends, who were all looking worried. ''Why?'' Rainbow Dash asked. ''Because something like this had happened to her before. With the Storm King.'' Twilight answered. ''Oh, right,'' Rainbow Dash said, looking somber when she realized what Twilight meant, ''Sorry, I forgot about that.'' ''Well, then let's go cheer her up!'' Pinkie Pie said in a cheerful manner. ''No, Pinkie,'' Applejack replied calmly, ''Sometimes it's best to leave somepnoy alone for awhile before you go talk to them. Some wounds take time to heal. You understand, right?'' Pinkie thought about what Applejack said for a bit before a slightly somber look appeared on her face. ''Yeah, I guess you're right.'' Pinkie Pie said. ''Um, sorry for interrupting. But can someone PLEASE tell me what in the storm is going on here?!'' The storm guard asked when he finally got enough rest. ''It's okay, mister storm guard,'' Fluttershy said, trying to calm him down with her soothing voice, ''We'll explain everything to you once we get you home.'' ''You sure are being kind to an evil creature who previously tried to take over your home,'' Captain Celaeno said, giving the storm guard a suspicious look, ''Or did I miss something?'' ''Oh no, Captain Celaeno. Storm guards aren't evil creatures, they only did what they were ordered to do from the Storm King.'' Fluttershy explained. ''It's true. Personally, I always wanted to start my own bakery after my time in Canterlot. Their cakes are simply the best!'' The storm guard explained with a happy smile in his eyes. ''Awww, shucks.'' Pinkie Pie replied playfully. ''Seriously?'' Captain Celaeno responded, giving the storm guard a confused look, ''Then what were you doing here?'' ''After the Storm King created that huge tornado in Canterlot, me and many of the other storm guards got blown away. Literally,'' The storm guard explained, ''I ended up on this island somehow and went into the cave out of curiousity. When I reached the end, there was a strange symbol on the ground that looked a lot like me. So I stepped on it and then I got stoned.'' Everyone around the storm guard widened their eyes in shock and kept staring at him for a few seconds. ''What?'' The storm guard said while looking confused. ''Uh, don't ya mean TURNED to stone?'' Applejack asked. ''Um, yeah. Isn't that the same thing?'' The storm guard replied. ''Nevermind. Forget I asked.'' Applejack quickly said. ''Don't worry, all of your friends are safe at the Storm King's castle.'' Fluttershy explained to the big creature in a friendly manner, ''Or I guess right now it's called Grubber's castle, since he's their king now.'' She giggled a bit. ''Say what?'' Captain Celaeno and the storm guard both said in perfect unison. ''That little hedgehog guy?'' Captain Celaeno said while looking flabbergasted, ''Is that supposed to be some kind of pony joke?'' ''Trust me, I WISH it was.'' Rainbow Dash said as she walked up next to Captain Celaeno. Capper finally stood up again after getting enough rest and stretched his body from the whole ordeal inside the skull cave. ''You ponies truly are something else, you know that?'' Capper mentioned, whiping some of the dust from his red coat as he joined the others, ''And to think I was going to sell you all to a mole guy in order to repay my debt.'' Rarity gave Capper an unamused look, ''You just HAD to bring that up.'' ''What's he talking about?'' Captain Celaeno asked Rarity while raising an eyebrow. ''The less said about that, the better.'' Rarity answered in an irritated manner. ''Okay. If you say so.'' Captaine Celaeno replied, still looking a bit confused. ''Yeah, not exactly one of my better moments,'' Capper responded while rubbing the back of his head, ''Anyway.....Um, Celaeno was it?'' ''There should be a captain in there somewhere.'' Captain Celaeno replied with a playful smirk. Capper rolled his eyes, ''Fine then, CAPTAIN Celaeno. Mind explaining to us how you got involved with that Callidus freak in the first place?'' ''Well, it all started when me and my crew found this island while we were searching for some treasures,'' Captain Celaeno explained, ''I went into the cave to take a look while the others stayed outside to guard our new airship. Inside I found this cloaked figure. When he saw me, he said that there was some kind of treasure on the other side. So he tricked me to stand on a symbol and then I got turned into stone as well.'' ''You got tricked?'' Capper remarked, ''Aren't you supposed to be a pirate?'' ''Actually me and my crew prefer to be known as swashbuckling treasure hunters.'' Captain Celaeno remarked back, ''Actual pirate stuff isn't really our style.'' ''Speaking of your crew,'' Rainbow Dash said to Celaeno as she looked around, ''Where are they?'' ''I have no idea,'' Captain Celaeno answered, ''But I'm gonna do whatever I can to find them.'' ''Then count us in, Captain!'' Rainbow Dash said confidently. ''We'd love to help, Captain Celaeno,'' Twilight suggested, ''But I think we should probably bring Skystar home first. I can't imagine how worried Queen Novo must be right now.'' ''Fair enough,'' Captain Celaeno said to Twilight, ''After all, I still owe you one for saving my life.'' ''Don't worry. As soon as we bring her home, then we'll help you to find the other pira.....Uh, swashbucklers.'' Twilight explained, ''I promise.'' ''And then we can have the super duper unbelievably funtacular awesome....'' Pinkie stopped talking when she noticed the unamused looks from her friends, ''....Hehe, well you know the rest.'' She said with a nervous smile. Captain Celaeno reached out her claw to Twilight, ''You got yourself a deal, princess.'' Twilight smiled and shook her hoof with Celaeno's claw. Pinkie Pie then began to notice the unusual somber look on Skystar's face and walked over to her. The others noticed as well and went over to the sad looking hippogriff. ''Why the long frown, Skystar?'' Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully, ''It's over now, we're gonna get you home and you're going to see your mom again! Isn't that great?!'' ''No....'' Skystar answered, still sitting on the ground with a somber look. ''What?!'' Pinkie Pie said in shock. ''Don't you want to see your mom again?! Spike asked in surprise. ''It's not like that,'' Skystar said a tears started rolling down her cheeks her eyes, ''It's just.....if mom finds out what I did, she will never wanna talk to me again.'' ''What are you talking about? Your mom misses you more than anything.'' Rainbow Dash said. Skystar turned her attention to the rainbow pegasus, ''She does?'' She asked while looking surprised. ''Of course! That's why she asked us to go look for you, she's worried sick.'' Rarity explained. ''Whatever it is you did, I'm sure your mom will forgive you.'' Fluttershy said to Skystar in a friendly and understanding manner. Skystar sighed, ''I don't know.....'' ''What exactly did ya do, sugarcube?'' Applejack asked worriedly. ''Well, you see.......I wasn't kidnapped,'' Skystar confessed as the tears started to come back, ''I.....I ran away from home.'' ''WHAT?!!'' Twilight and the others said at the same time. ''Why would you do that?!'' Rainbow Dash asked Skystar. Skystar sighed again and dried her tears a bit as she started to explain, ''After I helped you ponies defeat the Storm King, my mom was so impressed with my bravery that she wanted to crown me as the new queen of the hippogriffs during the Hippogriff Freedom Celebration.'' ''That's why you ran away?'' Rainbow Dash asked, slightly confused by Skystar's explanation. The small hippogriff nodded. ''But why, darling?'' Rarity asked worriedly. ''Because I didn't feel like I was ready yet. I tried to explain it to my mom, but she wouldn't listen,'' Skystar continued, ''I tried again and again, until I got so frustrated that I ran away from home before the celebration. And that's when I met Callidus, who said he could help me with my problems. So I went with him into that cave and then I got turned into stone after he told me to stand on a certain symbol.'' After Skystar had finished her story, Twilight couldn't help but feel a strong sense of relatability with what the hippogriff princess was going through. The purple alicorn slowly walked in front of the somber looking Skystar. ''I know how you feel.'' Twilight said in a calm and understanding manner ''You do?'' Skystar asked, looking a bit less somber. Twilight nodded before she began to explain, ''When Princess Celestia first made me a princess, I wasn't sure if I was up to the task either. So I would usually try to avoid my princess responsibilities as much as I could.'' ''Really?'' Skysatr asked. Twilight nodded in reponse, ''But overtime, I started to get more comfortable with my position and eventually grew into the princess I am now. It's never going to be easy when you first start out, but I can tell you from experience that things will only become easier the more you try.'' ''But what will my mom think once I tell her that I ran away?'' Skystar asked in a worried tone. ''I know it's hard, believe me,'' Twilight said while placing her hoof on Skystar's shoulder, ''But sooner or later you're gonna have to tell the truth. And even if it hurts, you'll feel MUCH better after you let it out.'' She glanced over to Applejack and gave her a small wink. Applejack gave the purple alicorn a proud smile and winked back at her. Skystar thought about what Twilight had said for a moment. Eventually a genuine smile started to appear on her face. ''Yes, you're right,'' Skystar said while wiping her tears with her claw, ''Thank you, Princess Twilight. Your friends are lucky to have somepony as amazing as you.'' ''Well, she's not the Princess of Friendship for nothing.'' Pinkie Pie said with a playful tone in her voice. ''What do ya say, sugarcube?'' Applejack asked Skystar with a confident smile, ''Ya ready to go home and reunite with your mother?'' Skystar nodded and stood up, ''I am.'' ''This is all very sweet, but can we-'' The storm guard stopped talking when he felt the ground shaking below him. A small yellow laser appeared through a small gap of the blocked entrance of the big skull cave and headed towards the storm guard. The yellow laser hit him in the back as he let out a painful shriek. His whole body started flickering as the flesh of his body got turned to ash. Within a few seconds the storm guard had turned into a skeleton that collapsed on the beach, leaving only the armor behind. Everyone looked over to the dead storm guard and gasped at the horrifying sight. Suddenly they heard a big explosion coming from the entrance of the cave. The rocks that once blocked the entrance flew all over the place, missing everyone on the beach just by a hair. Once the smoke from the explosion had cleared, none of them could believe their eyes. Right there, in front of the unblocked entrance of the cave, stood Callidus. His glowing claw stretched out towards them, his eyes filled with rage and his body full of wounds. He lowered his arm back down to his side and slowly walked to them with a look of intimidation, seemingly having little to no problem with moving despite all the wounds on his body. ''You are one clever pony, Twilight Sparkle,'' Callidus said intimidatingly, ''That I cannot deny.'' ''What?! B-But how are you-'' ''Still alive?'' Callidus said, finishing Twilight's sentence for him, ''Did you really think that some puny rocks could kill the most powerful being in the world?!'' Callidus raised his claw into the air. Immediately a magic glow fell down over him like a shower. Everypony watched the magic flowing through him, recovering all the wounds on his body within a few seconds. Fluttershy was looking over the remaining ashes of the storm guard as tears started to appear in her eyes. ''Get over it. He got what he deserved.'' Callidus said to her, not showing any sympathy for the yellow pegasus. Twilight began to charge up her horn while giving Callidus a serious look, ''And now you're gonna get what YOU deserve!'' Her friends all rallied up behind her. Callidus responded with an intimidating glare, ''Have it your way.'' He then quickly snapped his fingers. Spike, Capper, Skystar, Captain Celaeno and the rest of the ponies on the island all got trapped inside grey magical bubbles that appeared out of thin air within a matter of seconds. They all started smashing away at their bubble to try and escape, but none of it seemed to have any effect. Callidus's eyes glanced back for a moment when he heard footsteps a few meters behind him. A little smile appeared on his beak as dark blue aura appeared around his claw, one that made it look as if it belonged to a ursa minor. ''Nice try.'' Callidus said to himself quietly. An angry looking Tempest had landed on the island and was charging towards Callidus's back. But right before Tempest could attack him in the back, Callidus turned himself around at the speed of light and slashed his blue claw against the right side of Tempest's face. It was as if time was slowing down as Twilight and everyone else inside the magic bubbles were forced to watch in horror. Tempest flew back from Callidus's attack, which had left behind a familiar scar on Tempest's right eye. Half of her horn had been broken off and ended up in the ocean. She lost her conciousness as her body fell on the beach. The cloak that she was wearing got loose and flew away with the strong winds on the island. Everyone inside the bubbles gasped in shock when they saw the storm king's symbol on Tempest's flank. ''Well well, would you look at that,'' Callidus said when he saw the Storm King's symbol on the side of Tempest's flank, ''And she actually had the nerve to tell me that she had changed.'' Callidus looked back at the others, who were still trapped inside their bubbles. His attention quickly turned to Twilight again. His eyes glowed dark yellow for a second, causing Twilight's bubble to immediately teleport in front of him. Callidus snapped his fingers and released Twilight from her bubble, much to her surprise. But she hadn't forgotten about what he did and immediately was about to blast him with magic while having a vengeful look on her face. Callidus quickly extended his claw out at Twilight. Her body instantly got locked into place and it stopped her from using her magic. ''Listen to me, Twilight,'' Callidus said, talking in a surprisingly calm manner as he placed his claw back next to him, ''I know you must be thinking that I'm the bad guy here. That I'm just some....villain.'' ''I don't think you are! I KNOW you are!'' Twilight exclaimed in anger, trying to fight against Callidus's magic. Callidus sighed deeply, ''I'm only doing this to take back what I've lost. I was forced to suffer for days, surviving the harshness of nature, the pain of hunger. I wanted nothing more than to be accepted back into Klugetown and become the mayor I'm supposed to be. But the moment I arrived back, Queen Novo had already turned everyone against me, so I was forced to leave my home and survive on my own.'' ''And why should I believe you?!'' Twilight shouted at the grey bird, ''You lied to us, just killed that storm guard and attacked my friend RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!'' ''Because they both deserved it!'' Callidus responded back, ''They were allies to the Storm King and therefore had to suffer the consequences.'' Tempest slowly regained her conciousness just in time to witness what Callidus was about to do. ''I'm sorry, Twilight. But you've left me with no other choice,'' Callidus said as he clenched his fist while grey magic started glowing around it,'' Farewell.'' He then extended his arm out to Twilight, opened his claw and fired a giant magic beam that started to engulf the purple alicorn. Everyone was forced to watch Twilight getting blasted off by the magic beam, sending her all the way to the other side of the world. Spike screamed Twilight's name at the top of his lungs, punching and bashing away at the magic bubble in anger as tears started rolling down his cheeks. He soon collapsed and started crying once Twilight had disappeard in the sky. Tempest grinded her teeth in anger and tried to shoot a magic laser at Callidus's back. But instead of magic, all that came out were a few puny little lightning bolts. Her heart immediately sank when she looked up and saw her broken horn. Callidus noticed the few lightning bolts moving past him and quickly turned around, where he saw Tempest looking at her broken horn in shock and disbelief. ''You brought that on yourself.'' Callidus said to her. Tempest tried to pull herself together, ''Callidus. Please, just let my friends go,'' She pleaded, ''None of this is their fault, I'm the one you want. Release them and I promise I'll do anything for you.'' That last sentence suddenly gave Callidus an idea. ''Very well,'' Callidus responded confidently, ''If you do this one thing for me, I will let your friends go.'' ''Just tell me what it is and I'll do it,'' Tempest said, trying to stay calm, ''You have my word.'' ''Go to Mount Aris,'' Callidus began to explain, ''And tell Queen Novo to meet me in Klugetown.'' ''What?'' Tempest said with a shocked look, ''B-But what for?'' ''That doesn't concern you,'' Callidus replied, ''Just do as I say, and I will keep my end of the bargain. Do we have a deal?'' Tempest's heart started beating incredibly fast. Going back to Mount Aris and talking to Queen Novo is the last thing she wanted to do. But she quickly realized what was at stake and knew that she had no choice. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ''Deal.'' Tempest answered, trying best to hide her fear. ''Wise choice,'' Callidus said, ''And don't even think about taking other hippogriffs with you. Or it will be the last time you'll ever see your friends again......alive.'' ''I understand.'' Tempest replied, looking slightly angry while trying to keep her cool. ''Good,'' Callidus said, ''Oh, and make sure to tell Queen Novo that if she doesn't show up, her daughter will suffer the same fate as your friends.'' Callidus's eyes glowed yellow as he let out an evil sounding laugh. Tempest watched a giant tornado of sand engulfing Twilight's friends, Callidus and the others inside the magic bubbles. A few seconds later, the sand tornado faded away, slowly revealing that Callidus and the others had disappeared. Tempest looked over to the air ship that was still floating close to the island, getting blow from side to side by the harsh winds coming from the storm in the sky. No matter how afraid Tempest felt at the moment, knowing what would happen to her friends if she failed was enough to motivate her. She took a deep breath and ran towards the air ship, ready to finally face her biggest fear and save her friends.