> Storm Vine
>  by zalla661
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Storms Return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

On a stormy night on the outskirts of the Hayseed Swamps and many days travel East of Dodge Junction was a village that was roughly the size of Ponyville. The village was like most rural towns, small wood and stone houses with a central pocket for a market and their town hall. It was a quaint little village without much to offer. What this town was well known for was its vineyards. The village was well known for its fine wines and massive grape vines that spanned for miles in a crescent moon around the entire village and was broken up into ten even vineyards.

It was the middle of the typhoon season and regular storms were common and good for the vineyards. The land around the village was mostly dry before hitting the swamps. The farmers chose this spot for the regular rainy seasons and transformed this once arid landscape to lush green hills as far as the eye could see. All around majestic apple trees filled the landscape alongside the hilly vineyards.

During the mid season the area was covered in raging storms every month or so. Winds often blew wild, and the rain poured down on the village making the little ponies take refuge in their homes for the day. Inside the ponies sat snuggled up with their families and blankets save for one who traversed the lonely stone roads of the village.

Her name was Tempest Shadow.

Tempest walked along the worn washed out stone path heading deep into the center of the town wearing a thick hooded cloak over her old armor. The armor was from her time serving the Storm King. She had long since painted over the Storm King’s icon on her armor with black paint to hide her previous association of him, however, she was still paranoid about not wearing it and so she kept it. She no longer served the Storm King, but years of mistrust and paranoia had taken its toll on Tempest’s psyche, so she kept it. To this day she wore it as a reminder of what she had done, and hoped to atone for. Thus the broken unicorn returned to the village of her birth.

It was here Tempest would take the first steps in trying to redeem herself for all the pain she caused others. It was a small comfort to her, but one Princess Twilight suggested she take.

So she traveled east for many days and nights in hopes to rekindle what she lost with her family and friends. When she last checked her parents and most of the family still lived here to this day. Though the village was isolated, and though communication was scarce with the main body of Equestria, Tempest managed to find her way without much trouble. The train was a convenience she did not have when she left as a filly, but now the train at least went to Dodge Junction which was just a few days west. Still, since the village was known well enough for its wines finding the village had been the easy part, despite its isolation.

Tempest remembered the roads with a mix of nostalgia and anger. Glancing over at a nearby house she narrowed her dark emerald eyes at a window where a colt was looking out from. The moment their eyes met the colt gasped at the soulless green orbs. Visibly shivering he immediately hid from sight and closed the curtains.

“Guess, somethings never change,” Tempest said, rolling her eyes with a heavy exasperated sigh.

Not stopping she continued one when a strong gust blew past blowing her cloak and exposing her from beneath its cover, and that sent a cold chill over her body. Tempest growled and threw her front hooves down over the sides of the cloak to cover herself once again. Content she used one hoof to keep the cloak over her and continued to walk down the stone road. Her armored hooves clanked with each step she took. With each step her hooves become muddier and muddier. The mud was a minor annoyance to her and didn’t slow her pace one bit. It was far more comfortable than sand in her boots. She remembered the time she hunted Twilight and her friends. She hated the heat and the sand that got in her armor. Mud however was a close second on her list of things she hated. That is until she stepped into a deep mud puddle that completely devoured her hoof. Tempest glared down at the offending mud puddle which had now filled her boot with mud and dirty water. She took her hoof out and shook off the mud from her boot, Then taking it off with her mouth she poured its remaining contents out back into the puddle.

Satisfied that her boot was sufficiently empty she replaced the boot on her hoof and glared spitefully at the puddle of mud and water. Anger swelled in her chest, and her horn sparked with blue electricity as her magic gathered at the shattered point of her horn. Then with the power of a bolt of lighting she blew away the offending puddle as thunder boomed around her, shielding her attack from the ears of other. Satisfied with her victory she sauntered around the now massive hole in the ground with an exaggerated regal step to her walk. On Tempest went unhindered until she reached her destination.

Among the old homes  there were the one she stood in front of was one of the oldest in the village. Tempest and her family were among the oldest families and were one of the founding families. It made her chest swell with pride thinking about how integral her family was. Here in this old three room home Tempest earliest memories came storming back to her. Her life flashed by in an instant and ended with her final memories of her time spent here. The time she ran away from home. The time she told her parents she hated them.

She felt nervous. For the first time in many years Tempest was afraid and had no idea what to expect. Would her family accept her back? Would they forgive her? Trying to calm herself, Tempest took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She thought calming thoughts when she remembered a piece of advice Princess Twilight gave her “Tempest, if you really are sorry, your family will accept you back. If they don’t, then my door is always open.” It helped greatly to think of that fond bit of advice from the Princess. Feeling calmer now, Tempest made her way through a small wooden gate and entered the front yard of the home. Like most of the homes here there were grape vines that ran along the side of the house. Her home had several rows of red grapes, mostly merlot, and a few green grapes scattered every other couple of rows.

She stopped at the third vine and leaned in closer to inspect a merlot grape. In the heat of the day the merlot would have a bright blue color to it. However when touched or wet it became a dark violet color more to the type of wine it would make. Tempest was always fond of the color of this type of grape and loved the bitter flavor they had.

Taking a glance around to see that nopony was looking Tempest tugged one grape off the vine like a thief would pickpocket their quarry. She wiped some of the excess water off the surface of the grape and popped it in her mouth. Slowly she chewed the soft fruit and a bitter flavor filled her tastebuds sending a shiver down her spine, A good shiver unlike the shiver she had from the storm outside.

“Whoa, I forgot how strong that tastes,” Tempest moaned softly shaking off the sensation.

Satisfied with the minor distraction Tempest returned to her original mission. She stepped forward past the many rows of grapes until she reached the door to her old home. The walls were plastered white with some sort of dark wood roof. The door itself was a thick wood planked door that looked like an aged barrel. A simple round knob was on it. What really stood out on the door was a ornately decorative golden plate with a intricate engraving on it. It depicted a pony reaching up to a stock of grapes with a vine that wrapped around the pony once to make a single complete circle. Tempest smiled at the decoration feeling a sense of pride within her. This was her family's legacy, though it wasn’t hers she hoped now that she could at least be a part of it, and that would make her very happy. First she had to make amends and she was getting nowhere alone outside.

Steeling her nerves, Tempest raised a muddy hoof and reached to knock the door. She stopped just shy of the wooden surface when doubt seeps its way into her mind. That now familiar nervous feeling of butterflies in her gut came rushing back to Tempest with the force of a Ursa Minor. She shivered in cold fear at her thought. Here she was, the mighty Commander Tempest Shadow, former second in command of the Storm King's armies, and a near conquer to Equestria, and she was afraid of seeing her parents again?  How could she be? She was Tempest Shadow, the instrument of destruction to the former Storm King! She took on the Princesses of Equestria and won, technically. Then she thought about whether her parents heard of her in the papers. That thought was quickly washed away when she remembered that the village was too isolated from the rest of the world to truly know about the isolated incident of her nearly taking over Equestria..


“No, I am Tempest Shadow, and I serve nopony but myself!”

With her declaration made she promptly knocked on the door three times and stood at attention like a Royal Guard. Time passed but nopony answered. She honestly didn’t expect to be answered the first time. It was a stormy night as one o'clock in the morning. The unholy hour of the day as she called it. So, again she knocked three times. Three seemed like a nice round number to her.

This time she got a response. Inside the lights turned on and a shadowy outline of a pony came to view through the dimly lit window. The pony took a look outside. For a time the pony just stood there and Tempest watched in awkward silence. Suddenly the pony fell down followed by the sounds of crashing furniture and something breaking. Tempest sighed shaking her head at the clumsy pony. Most likely her mother. She knew her mother liked to drink a bit of each new vintage she made. Tempest remembered her mother also always got snookered every time. It brought yet another smile to her thinking of how silly her mother got when she drank the wine. Often enough her father would scold her mother for setting a bad example for her as a filly. Thankfully Tempest never quite got the heavy drinking habits like the majority of her family did, much to her father's happiness.

So it came as a big surprise to her when the pony who opened the door wasn’t her mother at all. Indeed the pony looked very much like her mother. Mulberry coat, with a curly moderate cerise mane and eyes. That was where the similarities ended. This pony donned a cutie mark of grapes next to a strawberry and she was much shorter than Tempest. This pony also wreaked of alcohol that nearly knocked Tempest over. The pony herself looked ragged and very tired with heavy bags under her eyelids. Tempest glanced past the pony and noticed a black dress and a veil on a chair nearby an old couch and fireplace.

Tempest tried to say something, but the words choked up in her throat. Her eyes narrowed at the pony and filled with contempt like the very sight of her was offending to all the senses. It took the older mare inside a moment, but she soon awoke with the realization she knew the pony at the door.

Stumbling back and babbling the mare tried to speak, “F-fizzlepop?! Is that you?”

“Hello Auntie Berry Punch,” Tempest replied coldly to the mare.
> Home Again
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Berry Punch visibly recoiled from the hostile tone Tempest was showing to her. Finding her courage again Berry once more tried to open a dialogue with Tempest.

“H-how have you been Fizzlepop? Did you come back to see your parents?”

Tempest glared at Berry Punch spitefully.

“Well, I didn’t come all this way to speak to the family drunk, and the name’s Tempest Shadow, Auntie,” Tempest said viscously. “Now, where are mother and father? I want to talk to them.”

Bitterness filled every word Tempest spoke as she glared at the older mare before her. However after hearing her questions, Berry Punch suddenly found the floor very interesting. Tempest narrowed her eyes and focused on Berry’s body language. Averting eyes, quickly shifting her gaze at two things or more on the floor, and a nervous twitch of the tail and left ear. All of these signs meant that her aunt was nervous about something.

“Ugh, did you get in trouble again, auntie? Did you come to have mother and father bail you out again?” Tempest asked, with no subtlety or tact, but pure annoyance.

“I swear mother and father are too lenient on you. You should learn responsibility, Auntie.”

To her surprise Berry Punch glared back at her. Even in her drunken state the older mare managed to get a coherent sentence out without tripping over her own words.

“Now you listen here you little shit! I’ve been sober for years now! Not that you’d know after running away like you did!” Berry snapped at Tempest.

With yet another heavy sigh Tempest stared at the nervous pony. Berry looked away huffing and scratch her hoof across the surface of the wooden floors as if biding her time. If there was one pony Tempest didn’t care for it was her aunt. Well known as the family drunk and it was no secret that Berry loved fine wine. As a filly Tempest remembered vividly how many times she’d find her aunt sprawled on her back in the vineyards with empty bottles around her. In truth, Tempest was ashamed to call the mare family.

Despite the animosity she always showed her aunt, Berry Punch was always kind to her niece.

Finally Berry stepped aside and offered Tempest entry. Practically storming in Tempest shook her hooves and dried them on the entry mat and took her armored boots off before entering. Taking her cloak off she placed the wet cloth over the coat rack, her wet armor clanked there with each movement she made. The back plates rustled against her damp fur underneath and stuck together in places. While her armor was great for protection, and looked fabulous, it wasn’t good for the rain.

Tempest entered the main living area of the home. It was very different from what she remembered. Most of the things we're still here. The couch, the old chair, a old antique table, and a portrait of Tempest and her mother and father before she ran away. Her mother was a dark unicorn like her with a short bob cut red mane and blue eyes. In contrast  her father was a earth pony strong built and had a sky blue coat and a dark green mane that was pulled back into a ponytail and sapphire blue eyes. Both of them looked happy as did a tiny filly Tempest. The picture was before Tempest lost her horn and was still a happy naive little filly.

Berry Punch closed the door and watched as Tempest walked slowly up to the fireplace, here a small picture of her family was place. It must have been a recent picture too. She recognized her mother and father in it, but they looked so much older. Her mother had fattened up a bit and was showing signs of age under her eyes same with her father. Both looked happy in the photo with smiles, but looking at them it for a while Tempest got the feeling something was off about it. It was as if the smiles were plastic and put on for show and hid their true feelings underneath. The Tempest noticed several bundles of flowers around a small altar that was place near the base of the fireplace. In the center was another piture of Tempest’s mother and father.

Looking around Tempest began to worry. Were they sick? No, she was sure they were fine. Yet it made no sense why her mother or father didn’t come to greet her. She shrugged it off. Perhaps they were tired and needed to rest, Old ponies had to rest a lot. Tempest was about to say something but she felt a gentle tug at her arm.

She turned to see her aunt on the verge of tears. A million things shot through Tempest’s mind as her clearly drunk aunt sniffled holding her nice in her arms, Then suddenly Berry Punch invaded Tempest Shadow’s personal space with a strong hug. The older mare broke down into sobs and cried into the taller unicorns shoulder. The armor was uncomfortable to rub her face against, but Berry made no indication it hurt as she nuzzled her niece.

“I’m so glad you’re home Fizzlepop.”

“Auntie-”

“No! No. You will always be my little Fizzlepop Berrytwist. No matter what happened between us you’re my niece and I love you,” Berry Punch choked out between sobs.

Tempest tried to push the mare back.

“Berry Punch, where’s mom and dad?” Tempest asked looking back at the makeshift altar and the veil.

“Huh? Oh, they’re on a trip. Actually they should be home tomorrow.”

“I see. So they didn’t leave after all.”

Tempest sighed a breath of relief knowing her chance to see her family again was at hoof. Finally she could right all the wrongs she made with her family, and then maybe find her old friends. Then what? She wondered. She hated her friends, so why should she make amends with the ungrateful jerks? After all, if it wasn’t for her they never would have got their ball back from the Ursa cave. The cave that cost her horn and magic.

The memory brought up some bitter tears in her eyes that she was quick to wipe away. She didn’t want her aunt to see her look vulnerable. She had her pride and dignity after all. A rustle from upstairs made her nearly jump like a cat as she heard light footsteps from above on the second floor. Berry gasped at Tempests sudden hostile movements.

“Fizzlepop, don’t worry that’s just-”

“SHUSH!” Tempest snapped.

Berry looked annoyed at her niece’s rude gesture.

Tempest narrowed her eyes and lowered her stance like a lion stalking its prey. She followed the sound as they reached the stairs. She pressed her body against the wall as she gathered a large amount of power in her horn. Berry looked bewildered at the mare as she slinked against the wall ready to round the corner and strike the pony on the other side. Just as tempest reached the edge of the wall she hopped around lowering her head to blast the intruder. From around the corner a sleepy eyed filly in a pink onesie rubbed her eyes and yawned at Tempest. Clearly she was not aware of the hostile mare before her.

“Mommy? What’s all the noise?” The filly asked in a tired voice.

“Berry Pinch!”

Berry Punch shoved Tempest to the floor and scooped the filly up and nuzzled her. Tempest tried hard not to verbally lash at her aunt since there was a filly present, but it was hard. The fall to the floor hurt.

As Tempest got to her hooves Berry Punch smacked her upside the head. Tempest went wide eyed for a moment as her brain caught up with what happened. Then she turned to glare at her aunt, but then noticed the sleeping filly in her arms. Tempest realized the filly was strikingly similar to her aunt. The broken unicorn stood silent and watched as Berry Punch rocked the filly back and forth until there was a soft snore from the filly. Berry chuckled and nuzzled the filly in the cheek and kissed her making the filly smile in her sleep.

“Momma,” She muttered sleepily.

“Yes, mommy’s here sweetie,” Berry said walking up stairs.

Curious, Tempest followed the mare upstairs to one of the spare rooms. There in the room was a small bed near a window, a small dresser, table, and a corner with over a dozen stuffed animals of varying types. The walls were bright pink with little red hearts all over it. Tempest watched as Berry tucked the filly in and place a cute sphinx plush toy in her arms. As if guided by instinct, the filly hugged the toy and rubbed her nose against it smiling.

Tempest quirked her brow at the filly as Berry came out and closed the door slowly behind her. The rain and thunder booming help hide the loud creaking the door hinges made and didn't wake the filly. Tempest made a mental note to oil the door tomorrow. After making sure the filly was secure and in bed Berry Punch guided Tempest down the hall to a room at the far end of the house. The door to this room was like the other plank wood doors, but had a small sign that said: [Fizzlepop’s room. No colts allowed! That means you Blueberry!]

Berry stepped aside and allowed Tempest to pass. Tempest opened the door. The old wood creaked as the door slid open revealing Tempest Shadow’s old room. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes to mentally prepare for what she was about to see. Not opening her eyes Tempest walked into the room guided by her memories and thoughts, she walked into the room until she was in the center of it where she opened her eyes. She was now surrounded by all her worldly possessions from her foal hood.

Behind her the door was open with Berry at the threshold watching her. To her left there was a bed large enough for her to sleep on with a large thick comforter that matched her aunts coat. There was a grape vine design embroidered on it and the matching pillows. In either side of the bed was a small dresser. The left one had several pictures of Tempest as a filly, while the right one had a lamp and a small plush toy leaning against the lamp. The left wall of the bed had a window that took most of it while wall across from Tempest had a wall closet with two sliding doors. On the floor were a few of her old toys and even a few of her first drawing she ever made. She circled around the room, the critical eye scanning every inch as if she were inspecting troops. Berry fidgeted at the doorway as Tempest made her way around and then stopped in front of the door.

Looking around she sighed and glanced back at her aunt. “Nothing has changed. It’s as it was the day I left.”

Berry nodded.

“your mother and father were devastated when they discovered you left,” Berry explained. “They wanted to go find you, but the farm had to be run. They-”

“I know,” Tempest said sounding bored. “The farm was only run by them at the time. They needed to stay. I counted on it. I don’t fault them for it since I planned on it for my escape.”

“What do you mean?” Berry asked walking in behind Tempest.

Narrowing her eyes Tempest gazed out the window. She walked slowly up to it. Her hooves tapped the old wood as she looked out the window. She watched as the rain poured all over the town and lightning danced across the sky. Tempest blinked slowly watching, listening, to the rain pattering against the roof.

“Auntie, who was that just now? That fily?”

“Oh, that was my little Berry Pinch,” Berry said with pride.

Tempest rolled her eyes. Her scar ached and she rubbed it to try and ease her tension.

“Your scar still hurts you?”

Tempest nearly jumped when she hear d her aunt's voice come from right beside her. Instinctively she powder her horn with magic ready to blast. The blue lightning like energy fluctuated around her broken horn as she glared at her aunt, who was trying to look as nonthreatening as possible.

“Dont. Ever. Sneak up on me again,” She growled at her shorter aunt.

To her surprise, her aunt recovered relatively quickly from the shock of her sudden hostility. Perhaps her aunt wasn’t so spineless as she let on. Regardless, Tempest didn’t care whether her aunt feared her or not, she just hated being snuck up on. She softened her expression and returned her gaze outside and leaned against the wall.

“My scar’s fine. It just aches from time to time.”

“I see. Well, please go ahead and use the shower to get all warmed up. Don’t want you to catch a cold before your parent come home, I’ll never hear the end of it. I’ll bring you some towels to dry off with.”

With that said Berry leaving Tempest to her thoughts. The unicorn kept watching outside for a moment longer before turning to leave. Sighing, Tempest began taking off her armored plates and set them in an unused corner of the room. She was careful not to make too much noise lest she wake her niece, or was it cousin? Once her armor plates were off all that remained was her rashguard. She reached under her neck and unzipped the rashguard down to her waist. One hoof at a time she removed the rashguard. When her front legs were out she used them to pull off the rashguard like a pair of pants the rest of the way. She had to sit down to remove them since she didn’t have control of her magic. She really missed her horn. She looked down to see her dark fur sticking grossly to the guard. She really needed to take this off and shower.

Once free from the rashguard Tempest smelled something sour and musky. She sniffed her rashguard and realized the smell was coming from it. She gagged turning her head away and threw the garment to the side of the room and rubbed her nose as if it’d clean it for the horrid smell she just whiffed.

“Blegh, I’m soo glad to be out of that for a while,” She said, eyeing the room like she was expecting someone to attack her.

Seeing nopony there but her old plush toys Tempest left her room and went to the bathroom and took a long hot shower. The warm water was nice and long overdue. Since she left the Friendship Festival she hadn’t showered in well over a week. The rain and weather she endured in her travel was bareable but just barely for her. The shower was a nice welcome.

She rinsed her mane under the water for ten minutes and spent just as much time on her tail. She used a nice ocean breeze scented shampoo and lathered her mane and tail. The scent of the shampoo cleared away the sweaty musky smell from her body leaving behind a far more pleasant smell, but she wasn’t done yet. Next she lather her fur coat and gave herself a thorough scrub down before washing all of the suds off. Then as if she weren't’ satisfied she started on a second round of cleaning.

About midway through her aunt left her a clean towel to dry off with. Tempest finished after the second cleaning. Turning off the shower with her hoof she slid open the door and carefully climbed out so she wouldn’t slip. She reached for the towel on the counter and dried herself off. After that she combed her mane into its usual mohawk style. Satisfied she stepped out of the bathroom and turned off the light before heading off to her old room.

There waiting for her was her aunt who was putting on some extra blankets for her like she promised. Tempest waited patiently for her aunt to finish. Berry Punch had put down a large thick winter blanket with several grapevine designs all over it and outline with gold colored thread. It was a beautiful piece and one Tempest had fond memories of. Her aunt finished placing the blankets out and pulled them down to allow her niece to get in.

“Ugh, I can go to bed myself aunty,” Tempest grumbled.

Berry flinched at the harsh tone from her niece. Tempest looked away but from the side of her peripheral she saw her aunt’s ears fold down. Sh eluted completely disheartened. For some reason the sight of he aunt like that made her heart sink. This must be the Compassion Twilight Sparkle told me about. Tempest thought to herself. Or was it guilt? After a moment Tempest gave out an exasperated sigh and slowly climbed in bed.

“Hmph, I guess it’s been a long time since I got any real rest,” She said scooting herself under the blankets. “Thanks, Auntie.”

Immediately Berry’s face lightened up. She smiled widely a her niece and tucked her in like she was a foal. Tempest allowed this egregious pampering to continue. Once covered Berry tucked the mare in until the blankets acted as a restraining harness that threatened to smother Tempest if she moved the wrong way. Berry smiled and nuzzled Tempest on the cheek making the mare blush.

“Stop it.”

Berry sighed, but kept a weak smile on her face.

“Goodnight, my little grapevine,” Berry said softly.

The older mare bent down and gave a gentle kiss to Tempest Shadow’s cheek. The unicorn squeaked and pushed her aunt away thus breaking free from her binds. Tempest then rolled over and covered herself with the blankets to protect herself from another assault of affection. Though it was also to hide her profuse blushing.

“Goodnight!” She yelled form under the covers.

Berry Punch giggled at her niece’s reaction not at all feeling the slightest offended by it. In fact she felt her heart rise and flutter. The earth pony mare nuzzled the lump under the covers which went stiff at her touch, and she whispered to her niece, “You said things didn’t change here. Well, I’m glad you didn’t completely change either. Goodnight my little grapevine.”

With the goodnights said Berry Punch stumbled out of the room and closed the door behind her. When the door latched sounded Tempest came out from her cover and peeked over the blankets to make sure her aunt was gone. When she was sure she was alone Tempest threw the blankets down to her waist. She leaned back and placed her hooves under her head and stared up at the ceiling. There was nothing of particular interest there save for a patch of off white paint in one spot over her bed.

Tempest remembered why it was there too. When she was a filly and she first lost her horn she had nightmares about Ursa for months afterwards. Once she got so scared she cast a spell in her sleep and blew a hole in the ceiling above her bed and part of the roof out. It took months to fix and her parents scolded her to be more careful in the future. Lucky for her it never happened again, or rather she always woke before she cast any spells and saved herself and family the trouble.

Tempest frowned at the painted spot and rolled over to her side. She came face to face with her lamp and the plush toy that was leaning against it. It was different from the one that was there initially. This time it was a dark grey hedgehog with a white streak of fur. She stared at the plush toy straight in it black button eyes and they stared back at her. Something felt off about it.

As if her memories of home weren’t enough thoughts of her annoying right hand, Grubber came rushing back to her. The little glutton of a hedgehog who stuck to her like glue was always annoying her to no end. He was short, loud, and a sloppy eater. The thought of watching him eat made Tempest cringed under her covers. The loud smacking and chomping noises. The drool. The food covering everything. The little glutton was a grotesque sight to watch when he ate. Feeling disgusted from the thoughts she reached for the plush toy and threw it against the wall opposite from the foot of her bed. The toy collided with the wall and squeaked once, then fell to the floor with another squeak. Abandoned and unloved.

Tempst then flopped on her back glaring at the ceiling again. The rain and the sound of thunder filled her ears as the unicron tried to literally drown out the thoughts of Grubber form her mind. Unable to rest Tempest rolled over and found herself staring at the lamp where the plush toy once sat. It felt odd. Empty. Lonely. Tempest then felt something in her heart. A deep sickening feeling like she was hurting, but not physically. She then felt compelled to look over her bed and down at the plush toy. It lay there in its spot looking fat and pathetic. Tempest shook her head laying back down trying to ignore it.

“It’s just a stupid toy. Why should I care?” Tempest asked to noone in particular.

Finally unable to sleep as this strange feeling surged through her Tempest rolled out of bed with an annoyed grunt and stormed to the toy and glared menacingly at it. Her instinct was to annihilate it with her broken horn. However, she stopped and thought a bit more rationally deciding that blowing part of the house up wouldn’t be a nice thing to do. When she felt calm enough she looked down at the toy again. She blinked slowly in synch with a deep breath. She then reached down and picked up the toy in her mouth and walked over to her lamp and put it against the lamp once more. Yet, she felt odd seeing the hedgehog toy there alone. Sighing she walked over to her drawer and picked up a dark unicorn plush toy and a piece of a plastic cake from her old toys. She then walked briskly back over and plopped the unicorn plushie next to the hedgehog and puth the plastic piece of cake in the hedgehog's hand. Seeing the unicorn plush next to the hedgehog with its little piece of cake made her feel better.

Then she realized the implications.

Her eyes went wide, her pupils shrunk to pin size. She shook her head and glared at the hedgehog plush hatefully. With huff she sparked her horn and zapped the toy. Not enough to destroy it, but enough to singe it. The magical release on the toy was surprisingly relaxing. She felt satisfied smelling the charred hair and burned look on the toy. Satisfied she returned to bed and snuggled in the covers once more. However she looked over at the toys one last time. She looked at them and realized the hedgehog was now leaning against the unicorn plush for support. Tempest blushed feeling her heart race at the sight.

“Do I-I, miss Gruber?” She asked the unicorn plush.

It didn’t respond.

“Surely I don’t miss that disgusting little pig eater!” Tempest said rolling over to face away from the toys.

Annoyed once more she pulled the blankets over her nose just enough to see over the covers as they blocked part of her vision. She laid there for several minutes with her mind racing over every time Grubber was with her. Always eating. Always annoying her with his second rate commentary to hers. . . His surprising loyalty despite everything she ever did to him. All the zapping, the kicking, and shoving, and using him as a stepping stool. It was eating at her to think how she mistreated him all this time, and yet he never once held it against her.

“Come to think of it, neither did Aunt Berry Punch,” Tempest whispered.

She rolled over once more and faced the plush toys. Slowly she reached out taking the toy hedgehog and pulled it to her. She held it in both her hooves and stared into its button eyes. She couldn’t help but feel awful now. With one last heavy sigh she took one hoof and booped the toy in the nose making it squeak. Tempest giggled and put the toy back with its cake and unicorn companion, and rolled on her back to fall asleep.

Thought’s of her family, her aunt, even Grubber filler her mind. Wonderful thoughts that turned into dreams and Tempest felt her heart swell at the positive feelings coming over her in her deep slumber.

“Stupid Glutton.” She chuckled as she started succumbing to her sleep.
> Intertwining Bond
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a dawn of a new day in Equestria. The skies were clear and the sun's rays shined over the horizon stirring ponies from their beds, and leading others to their dwelling to rest. Birds sang pleasantly and all manner of creatures big and small stirred at the warmth of the sun with a few exceptions. One of these being a small village at the edge of the frontier of Equestria.

It was here that nature fend for itself. Pegasi and unicorns barely tended to the weather and left it alone, Thus the storm from the previous night was slowly clearing up. It was about eight o’clock in the morning and though the sun didn’t shine directly over the little village, it did light up the dark grey sky to a much lighter grey. The warm air was slowly pushing the clouds away, and today the pegasi of the little village helped removed the clouds from the sky.

In a small home at the edge of the town Tempest Shadow lay in her bed sleeping soundly. The mare snorted softly barely making a sound. Suddenly her internal clock kicked in and her eyes shot wide open, With a mighty yawn and a over head stretch of her arms Tempest sparked her horn as she loosened her joints. After stretching her arms out the mare shook her head to rid herself of the worst of her bed head. She then leaned forward rubbing her tired eyes. She hadn’t felt this well rested in a long time, Though the Storm Kings airship were powerful they didn’t have very comfortable cots. In fact Tempest recalled the cots being metal that one laid on. With the call of battle at a moment's notice they were also forced to wear bulky armor to bed.

Tempest had long forgotten how nice it was to have a soft bed, warm blankets, and no sharp edges of her armor dig into her neck as she slept.

She felt better than she had in years. looking around she realized that she had no idea where she was. This wasn’t her ship the Huracan, A moment later she remembered she’d returned home and was in her old room. Shaking her head to try and fully wake herself Tempest threw the blankets off herself and leaped out of the bed landing with a mighty heroic pose that shook the room and everything in it. The moment was ruined by two loud screams and their owners running upstairs screaming. Tempest rolled her eyes and mentally prepared herself for what was to come.

Suddenly the door burst open and Berry Punch came scrambling in, The poor mare was tangled in what Tempest figured was once a apron and a chef hat. Yet, somehow Berry had her back legs tied up, a chef hat on her tail, and there was a spatula lodged in her left ear and a tiny flame burned on her bangs. Despite all this the mare looked worried as she scrambled into the room and immediately looked over Tempest inch by inch for any new injuries.

“Fizzlepop! Are You alright!? I heard a loud bang and I thought you might have been hurt! Oh, if your parents came home to find you injured I’d never hear the end of it!”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t,” Tempest said dryly.

“-you should be more careful Fizzlepop! Now, come along I have breakfast ready,” Berry Punch said cheerfully after seeing Tempest wasn’t hurt. “I made you favorite!”

That got the younger unicorns attention. She quirked her brow glancing over her shoulder to her aunt.

“Is it strawberry apple waffles?” Tempest asked.

“Indeed! Your favorite with your mother’s secret grape jam!”

As if trying to tempt Tempest, Berry Punch reached behind her and pulled out a small mason jar. It was filled with a dark substance that was most definitely jam. It had a label that had a symbol of a grapevine with three grapes hanging on the end. One green, one violet, and one maroon one. Tempest’s swallowed hard staring at the jar. Inside was the best substance she’d ever known, even more than zap-apple jam, and that was no slouch either.

“Well, I can’t say no to that. Lead the way.”

Berry smiled at her niece. Berry tossed the jar up in the air and caught it with the tip of her nose. Tempest started with her jaw dropped as her aunt expertly skipped out the door without coming even close to dropping the jar of jam goodness.

“Guess you’re still as carefree as ever,” Tempest said, shaking her head.

“Hurry before Berry Pinch eats all your breakfast too!”

Tempest cracked a smile at her aunt's attempt to bait her. It won’t work this time. She thought. When she was younger her aunt use to entice her out of bed with similar threats so she’d hurry along. She remembered once her aunt told her that breakfast stealing breezies would come to steal the honey she had on her pancakes once. Of course being young and naive Tempest believed her aunt back then, and she would hurry to get up and practically inhale her breakfast. Tempest couldn't help shake her head at how foolish she was as a foal.

“Such simple times.”

After a quick brush of her mane Tempest left to head off for her breakfast. Stopping at the doorway she stood at attention. Her legs went straight and her back rigid, and she held her head high and puffed her chest. Then she waited. Nothing happened. Annoyed she glanced back and yelled, “Grubber! What’s taking so lon-”

She paused as her neck craned to look behind her hoping to find the fat little hedgehog behind her. When he wasn’t there Tempest looked around herself for him. Then it dawned on her he wasn’t here. She’d left him back with the others at the Friendship Festival, It was so unusually quiet without him around. She’d gotten so use to him being around that it felt odd for him not to be annoying her. Then she realized the irony in that thought.

“Ugh, even when he’s not around he managed to annoy me,” She grumbled walking out of the room. “Well played Grubber. Well played.”

A minute later Tempest emerged in the dining room. It was a quaint little area with a simple long table to seat six ponies, eight if you didn’t mind touching shoulders with somepony else. To the right of the table was a wall with a family portrait of distant relatives. Alone at the table was the little filly from the previous night waiting patiently with a cup of grape juice, when the the filly eyed Tempest with a scared look in her eyes. That was when Tempest realized the filly was most likely looking at her horn. The left lead to the kitchen and a small bar where several bottles of wine were placed in a fancy stand. Ignoring the filly she walked to the kitchens edge and sat at the bar, and watched her aunt cook. Berry Punch was in the kitchen cooking pancakes, eggs, hay bacon, and sourdough toast.

The food smelled great to Tempest. She sniffed the air taking in the aroma of the sourdough and hay bacon. Oh, did she love hay bacon and sourdough bread toasted with a bit of jam on the side. Then she noticed a slight bitter smell in the air. She turned her head and noticed a open bottle of wine next to the stove and a empty, but used, glass. Giving the glass a critical eye Tempest turned to the filly who was staring at her again.

When the filly noticed she shied away from Tempest Shadow’s critical glare, and sipped her juice. Berry Punch watched the silent interaction take place and she turned off the stove flipping the last of the pancakes into a large stack. She took them and set them on the table along with the hay bacon and toast. The last thing she brought was the eggs and the jar of jam. Tempest watched from the bar as the filly began to bounce in her seat when the jam appeared before her. She was wide eyed and eager to dig in it seemed. Tempest couldn’t help but crack a smile at the filly. When Berry Punch sat down next to the filly she gazed up at Tempest and smiled at her. She then reached for a chair and patted the seat. The older unicorn sat on her bar stool unsure if she wanted to sit so close to the mare and filly.

The truth was she felt uncomfortable around them. For years she grew up south of the Badlands. For years she learned harsh lessons about mistrusting others, and protecting what you had from thieves. She glanced down at herself instinctively and mentally scolded herself for leaving her armor upstairs. She didn't want to lose that, it was her only protection she had aside from her fractured horn. As the thoughts plagued her mind she felt a soreness at the base of her horn. With her hooves she rubedb the sore spot trying to ease the growing tension in her head. She then felt two hooves gently touch her shoulders followed by her Aunts soft voice.

“Fizzlepop? Are you alright? Does your horn hurt?” Berry asked.

Tempest sighed gently removing the mare's hooves from her shoulders. Without answering the unicorn walked to the chair next to where her Aunt was sitting a moment ago and silently sat down. Tempest slouched over the table resting her arms on the surface, and Berry Punch chuckled lightly and sat between the mare and filly. Berry served everypony's plates before her own, making sure to give Tempest a good amount of food. When the plates were served Tempest slouched over her plate, as if protecting it, and scooped her food in her mouth with a spoon. Berry Punch glared at her niece for her poor etiquette. Tempest didn’t get the hint. A few moments later the Berry Punch got up from her seat, and walked into the kitchen returning with a rolled up newspaper,  Berry Pinch hid under the table as if fearing she’d get swatted by the paper. Berry Punch walked over to Tempest with the rolled up newspaper and patted it in her hoof trying to get Tempest's attention.

The soft patting of the paper on hooves did indeed get Tempest Shadow’s attention. With a mouth full of pancakes, stuffed like a chipmunk, the unicorn slowly glanced up at Berry Punch who was giving her a stern glare. Tempest chewed slowly and swallowed.

Berry tapped the mares arms with the paper.

“That’s bad manners Fizzlepop. Arms off the table. We don’t eat like savages in this house.” Berry Punch warned her.

Tempest said nothing. Instead she straightened her back, put one hoof on her lap, and held the spoon with the other. Satisfied, Berry Punch sat down again and placed the newspaper on the table as a warning. She then started to eat her own food slowly, and with small bites, as if she was telling Tempest how to eat through her own actions. The three ponies resumed eating in silence until Tempest suddenly reached past Berry for the jam. In an instant the paper ws in Berry’s hoof and flew straight down on Tempest's wrist with a snap. Tempest flinched and pulled back her hoof. Now sporting a big red spot where the paper struck her, she glared menacingly at her Aunt who only glared back at her, rolled paper in hoof.

“We don’t boardercross reach in this house either, Fizzlepop,” Berry Punch warned her niece.

Tempest grumbled and rubbed her sore wrist. A strange feeling filled her chest. It wasn’t anger, or at least she didn’t think it was. It felt more embarrassing than anything else, but not quite to shame status. Tempest nodded to her Aunt, lowering her head slightly to hide her embarrassment.

“Would you please pass the jar of jam?”

“Of course,” Berry replied dropping the paper on the table, and then sliding the jar over.

Tempest reached for the jar of jam and took hold of it. When she pulled however, Berry was still gripping it, and was giving her a stern glance.

“What? I asked didn’t I?” Tempest replied in a snippy manner.

Berry nodded then turned to face Tempest with a soft smile.

“And what do we say when somepony gives you something you asked for?” Berry asked.

“Uh… Thank you?” Tempest replied, as if she was unsure.

Hearing the answer made Berry gave a big smile as she released the jam jar. Taking it Tempest undid the lid and set it to the side, the smell of the jam almost instantly hit her nostrils. She had a powerful sense of smell, one that could rival even the best bloodhounds. How was she, Commander Tempest Shadow, the harbinger of destruction for the Storm King reduced to this? She couldn’t even get a jar of jam without being scolded by her Aunt, and she allowed it to happen? Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Tempest mused to herself. No, I asked Princess Twilight to help me, and she said I need to get past this. I need to move on. That means, I need to change.

Taking a butter knife Tempest smothered her sourdough toast with a thick layer of soft sweet jam. After which she placed the last of her hay bacon on it, then the eggs, and sandwiched them with another jam covered piece of toast. After sealing the jar again she slid it over towards her Aunt. Then she took the monstrosity of a sandwich she made and was about to chomp a huge bite from it. A stern cough from Berry Punch stopped her in her tracks. Her mouth wide open Tempest turned her eyes looking at her aunt who had her arms crossed and was tapping her forearm like a parent preparing to scold their child. Seriously? What is this, a prison!?

Taking the hint Tempest closed her mouth slightly and took a petite bite of the sandwich. This seemed to please Berry Punch who nodded approvingly. Tempest breathed a sigh of relief and ate without any more interruptions. When breakfast was done Tempest was in the kitchen doing the dishes. Her Aunt insisted she just relax, but Tempest wouldn’t hear it. She allowed her Aunt to start working on tending to the vineyard while she took care of the dishes. After which she would join her Aunt. reluctantly Berry Punch agreed and went ahead leaving Berry Pinch with Tempest.

As Tempest washed the dishes the filly was watching her intently. It made Tempest feel uneasy being watched from behind like this. Every time this behavior was allowed to happen she would be either mugged or attacked without warning. Not that she minded sometimes, she was more than capable of handling anything that tried to mess with her. She was a powerful unicorn, but she was skilled in hoof to hoof combat. There was not much she couldn't handle, and she had yet to lose a fight with anypony or anything. Save for the Ursa Minor that shattered her horn. Her thoughts dwelled on that fateful day. The day she thought she lost everything that defined her. The day she lost her magic. Then she thought about her so called, friends. The traitorous, backstabbing, degenerate, spineless cowards who left her to rot at the mercy of that horrendous beast that almost ended her life, and what for? A damn ball. Deep in her mind she thought of evil things she could do to torment them. Knowing their personal weaknesses and how to exploit them to her mercy, and make them crumbled and grovel under her hooves. Yes, she could do cruel things to them, and she wouldn’t even have to touch them. Wait. . . No, that’s bad. She thought worryingly

“Princess Twilight said I need to change. That was the old Tempest Shadow. I am the new me,” She said under her breath.

She turned to put the last plate in a strainer when she noticed Berry Pinch was right next to her. The pint sized filly was on her back leg looking curiously at Tempest. More specifically her horn. Feeling somewhat self conscious Tempest turned away from the filly never taking her eye off her. Berry Pinch followed the mare with her gaze. The two walked out of the kitchen, and Tempest made her way back to her room. Berry Pinch followed her like a lost puppy. Growing aggravated by the annoyingly persistent filly Tempest rounded on her at the threshold of her room and glared down at her.

“What!? Can I help you or are you just going to follow me around all day?”

Berry Pinch tilted her head slightly but didn't even flinch. That earned a modicum of respect from the mare. This filly had her wits about her, a rare trait in ponies from what she observed. Afterall when she invaded the Friendship Festival, Princess Luna boldly claimed she was one and thousands of them. All for naught when Tempest's few troops appeared and the ponies cowered at their might. This filly though was different.

“What happened to your horn, miss?”

Okay, all respect gained was just lost.

“What?” Tempest asked contemptuously.

“Mom said I shouldn’t bother you, but I was curious. What happened to your horn?” Berry Pinch asked.

Tempest snorted turning away from Berry Pinch.

“No. It’s not okay. I don’t want to talk about it, and if your mother told you not to bother me, then please don’t bother me.”

Tempest tried hard not to raise her voice. No matter how annoyed she was with Berry Pinch, she also knew foals were curious things. She was one once too. So she couldn’t fault them for that. That didn’t mean she liked it.

She walked into her room to find her armor and rashguard were clean and against the wall in a nice pile. Her rashguard was clean and smelled vaguely of citrus. Tempest frowned at her rashguard, she then noticed a tiny note attached to it with a smiley face on it. Tempest unfolded the tiny paper and saw it was a note from her Aunt.

“Dear Fizzlepop,

I was cleaning the room while you were doing the dishes. I went ahead and cleaned your bodysuit. I could smell it from the hall! I recommend you do something with those boots too. They smell just as bad! : (

Seriously Fizzlepop, when did you last clean your things? A lady shouldn’t be smelly all the time! Well, either way I cleaned it for you and put some powder in your boots to help prevent athlete's hoof. Gotta protect yourself! When you are ready please meet me in the west fields. Please bring Berry Pinch with you, and be careful with her. She a crafty one!


Love, Aunt Sherry”

Tempest crumpled the paper and threw it across the room. It bounced harmlessly off the wall and into the wastebasket. With a snort Tempest reluctantly put on her rashguard. The strong smell of citrus burned her eyes and nose. She hated it. Especially lemons. It did however smell better than the musky sweaty smell she’d suffered through since she last washed the thing. Suddenly she didn’t feel so annoyed with the lemon smell. She’d smelt worse before and compared to the lemon smell she now possessed it was a lot better. She’d have to remind her Aunt once again that she doesn’t like lemons or lemon scented things. Anything would be preferable.

Tempest thought about it for a minute before she started putting on her armor again. She knew she wouldn't need it, it just felt right. After spending a few minutes putting the armor back on, she put her armored boots on and she gave herself a once look over in the mirror. Satisfied she left the room to find Berry Pinch petting her tail slightly down the hall just before the stairs with a sad look on her face. As Tempest approached her heavy clanking hooves caught Barry Pinch’s attention. She stopped stroking her tail and glanced up at Tempest expectantly.

“Come along,” She said in a soft tone. “You mother wants us to meet her.”

“Oh? Where are we going?” Berry Pinch asked.

“We’re going to the west fields to do some work.”

Berry Pinch's eyes widen with joy hearing this.

“OH! I’ve always wondered what the fields were like! I never get to go into them!”

Tempest tried to hold back a chuckle at the filly’s excitement. Never had she heard somepony hold a vineyard with such excitement.

“It is quite a sight. You’ll like it I’m sure,” Tempest said walking down the stairs.

As the two ponies left the house Tempest made sure to lock the door. The morning air was still humid from the previous night's storm. Tempest took a deep breath to smell the fresh air around her. It brought a smile to her face to smell such clean air once again. She spent much of her life in the airships for the Storm King. Those ships were a lung clogging hazard to anything organic. Tempest recalled Grubber once said, “Even a cockroach would have trouble breathing this air.” She chuckled at the thought of Grubber possibly being right.

Feeling refreshed she nodded and glanced down at Berry Pinch. The unicorn filly was staring at her with curious eyes. So young. So naive. It almost brought another smile to her face, but Tempest shook it off. She didn’t want to appear too soft to the filly. She had her pride after all. Taking wide strides Tempest went around the house to one of the gardens to the side. Berry Pinch watched as Tempest walked up to a long vine that had hundreds of bright blue grapes on the vines.

Tempest touched one, pulling it closer to her with her armored hoof. She sniffed deeply taking in the scent of the grapes. Sour, fresh like morning dew, and firm to the touch. Tempest then wiped it with her tail, turning the bright blue grape to a dark almost black color. She then bit one off and chewed it thoughtfully for a few seconds. Then Tempest spit the grape out to the side making sure not to get it on the vines.

“Not quite ready,” She said.

Berry Pinch stared at the spot where Tempest spit the grape and wondered why she did that. Before she could ask the older mare was already walking along heading towards the back where the main part of the vineyard laid. Tempest lead Berry Pinch through the maze of vines, grapes, and leaves. The unicorn filly was told never to go into them alone and now she understood why. There were so many plants and grapes it would be easy for her to get lost. Even when she followed Tempest it was hard to not lose sight of her. The filly suddenly had a greater respect for her mother for telling her not to go alone anymore,the journey was well worth it.


Setting hte Tone: Vieni Sul Mar


As Tempest led the filly into a clearing what she saw amazed her. They were now behind the house about thirty yards away, and were now overlooking a large hillside. Grapevines snaked along its surface covering every inch in lush rows of green. The skies were clear and the sun was now overhead whining its brilliant rays over the vineyard. The lush green, the damp smell of the morning dew, it all came together with a great view that made Berry Pinch gasp with excitement.

“Wow! It’s so amazing here! There’s so many vines!” Berry Pinch hopped in place excitedly.

Tempest chuckled lightly covering her mouth with a hoof.

“Yes, indeed it is quite a sight.”

Berry Pinch hopped around Tempest once then stopped right in front of the mare and asked, “How many grapes are there?”

Tempest looked over the entirety of the vineyard. It was massive, but nowhere near the largest. In fact Tempest’s family owned a very small vineyard over. On average a small vineyard was around 45 to 49 acres. Her family vineyard was only 35 acres. Considered very small by most standards, but it made her proud to see it all once again.

“A lot.”

Berry Pinch eyed the grape filled fields with focused scrutiny. It was as if she wanted to count all the grapes in sight. A gentle nudge from Tempest brought her back to reality and the two ponies continued to walked onward.

Through the rows, and rows, of vines they went. Once again Berry Pinch was having a difficult time keeping up with Tempest. Thankfully despite being so small, Berry pinch was able to find Tempest easily due to her distinct color in contrast to the green scenery. Tempest slowed down a few times to allow the filly to catch up with her. As they made their way through Tempest lost sight of Berry Pinch. Sighing the mare looked at her immediate surroundings. Pinch was nowhere to be seen. Twitching her ear Tempest listened for and trace of the filly. There were many sounds all around her. Some of the wind whistling over the hills, the rustling of the leaves, and the birds chirping in the air. She couldn’t trust her sense of smell in this grape infested environment, so she had to rely on her eyesight and hearing. A short fit of giggles betrayed Barry Pinches location to Tempest.

A smile crept onto her lips as she circled around pretending to not hear her.

“Oh, where could that filly be?” She asked, feigning ignorance.

Tempest heard another giggle. She followed the sound with pinpoint accuracy. Then she noticed a tiny tuft of fur light desire among the green foliage. Grinning like a predator Tempest circled around to the next row of grape vines. Slinking low to the ground Tempest made her way to the tiny colored turf where she found Berry Pinch giggling to herself and waiting to ambush her when she came through. The filly was so fixated on her plan she didn’t realize her quarry had snuck up behind her. Closer and closer Tempest crept until she was but inches away from Berry Pinch. An almost childlike wonder filled the mare’s heart and giddily she yelled, “Boo!”

Berry Pinch screamed falling on her back. Her tiny hooves flailed in the air wildly as Tempest let out a hearty laugh. Berry Pinch puffed her cheeks at the mare, blushing with embarrassment.

“No fair! You cheated!” She said playfully at Tempest.

“Oh? I cheated did I?” Tempest asked looking at the sky with mock wonder in her eyes. “Huh, I didn’t know sneaking up on unsuspecting fillies was cheating.”

“Tee, hee, well, I guess it’s not technically cheating,” Berry said smiling.

Tempest pushed the filly over with her muzzle. Berry giggled as she felt her tummy being tickled  as she was rolled over.

“Come along now. We’re late,” Tempest said.

She picked the filly up by the nape of the neck and put Berry Pinch on her back. The rest of the way Tempest carried the filly on her back until they found Berry Punch hedging some of the grapevines of dead leaves. The older mare heard the rustling of the vines behind her. She put the shears in her mouth down and smiled seeing Berry pinch riding on Tempest's back. Seeing her mother the filly got excited and accidentally fell off Tempest and landed on her side on the ground. Quickly she got up and ran to her mother leaning up against her chest and nuzzling her. Berry Punch hugged her daughter and ruffled her mane.

Tempest couldn’t help but smile at the genuine warm scene before her. In all her years she had long forgotten what it was like to feel genuinely happy. Here with her Aunt again and even Berry Pinch it made her feel good. It reminded her of her own foal hood, The times when she too gave into such acts of happiness. She missed those days, but they were long gone. She was Commander Tempest now, and she had no time to be happy. At least, she that’s what she once thought.

Now, things seem so different to her. So foreign. Yet, at the same time things feel so familiar it was like she never left. Her aunt Berry Punch had barely changed, aside from having her foal. The town was pretty much the same. The vineyards grew in size a bit, but aside from a few new faces here and there it was pretty much the same.

Tempest felt nostalgic thinking about what life would have in store for her in the near future. She would see her parents soon. That was enough to bring a greater amount of joy to her, but also fear. Would they be mad at her for running away? Happy that she was back? Would they remember her? Oh, of course they’d remember their own daughter! She mentally scolded herself for even thinking such a thing. If her drunk Aunt could remember her after all these years surely her mother and father would. It was a no brainer, and if her Aunt Berry Punch was happy to see her so would her parents. She was sure of it.

Then something happened. Something truly awful. The one thing she hated above all else. A truly horifying sight to her and the laughter of others. Her aunt had walked up to her and in her deep thought she didn’t hear her Aunt calling to her with Berry Pinch on her back. With a cheeky grin Berry Punch whispered to her daughter and then reached for Tempest with her hoof. That was when it happened. The hoof came into full contact with her muzzle with “Boop!” from her aunt. The simple act sent a powerful shiver throughout Tempest making her giggle, her legs became limp, and her head rushed as she collapsed in a fit of giggles.

As quickly as the sensation overcame her it was gone. This followed by one of the most baneful glares she could muster through her burning red cheeks. Berry Punch and Pinch both smiled at Tempest who tried very had to look as mad and intimidating as possible to hide her embarrassment. Her aunt saw right through it.

“Now, Fizzlepop, if you keep frowning like that your face will get stuck like that,” Berry Punch warned her, and nuzzled Pinch again. Tempest was unable to hold onto her glare after seeing the smiles on the others. Pinch’s giggles and smile were enough to warm Tempest’s heart a bit. She was still mad she got booped, but she was willing to overlook it this time. Getting up she dusted herself off and walked briskly past her Aunt. Berry Pinch leaped on her back as she passed by grabbing around Tempest’s neck and nuzzling her.

“Don’t cause Fizzlepop any trouble Pinch. We have work to do now. Playtime is over, okay?”

“Yes, mom,” Berry Pinch said hopping off the mare.

Tempest and Berry punch walked over to a set of large baskets and took on each, placing one on their backs each.

“Do you remember what to do, Fizzlepop?” Berry Punch asked the younger mare.

“Yes, Auntie. Trim the dead leaves, bad fruits, and always check the leave for bugs and parasites,” Tempest replied.

Berry Punch smiled and nodded to her niece.

“Good, we’ll start with the west field here and move to the eastern end,” Berry punch instructed. “If we’re lucky we should be done by noon. Just in time for lunch.”

“What about me mom? What should I do?”

Both mares look down at Berry Pinch. The filly looked eager to help. Berry Punch grinned at Tempest who looked away suddenly.

“I’ve never heard Pinch so eager to help before. Did you show her something Fizzlepop?” Berry Punch asked, knowingly to Tempest.

Tempest glared at her Aunt. “My name is Tempest Shadow, and yes, I showed her the view from the yard, and I’m still mad at you for ‘booping’ me without my consent.”

“Oh, you’re adorable! It’s like you’re going through your rebellious teenage years!” Berry laughed.

“Stop labeling me!” Tempest growled, sparking her horn.

Berry Punch laughed as she bolted and Tempest chased down her annoying Aunt. Berry Pinch watched in bewilderment as two adults ran around like foals. Eventually, Tempest found her aunts laughing infectious and soon found herself laughing with joy as she gave chase to her immature acting Aunt. The older mare weaved in and out of the vines to evade her niece. Eventually Tempest used her military skills and outsmarted her aunt and tackled her to the ground. Berry Pinch giggled and jumped on top of them helping Tempest pin her down.

“Y-you monster! You turned my own child against me! I’m no longer loved!” Berry Punch said, with an exaggerated mock cry.

“Hehe, mommy, you’d make Rarity proud with that performance!” Berry Pinch stated.

“Yes, indeed I would, darling!”

After her bad imitation of the overly animated fashionista the three ponies rolled over laughing. Their legs and arms intertwined together as they rolled over laughing. Tempest eventually found Pinch on her chest and her Aunt was resting next to her. Their chores forgotten, the three laid there basking in the sun and enjoying the company of one another. Tempest even found herself enjoying this.

Perhaps, there’s more to this family thing than I originally thought. Why did I ever run away from this? Tempest wondered to herself. In the end she couldn’t come up with an answer to her self imposed question. In the end though it didn’t matter. She was home again, and this time she wasn’t going anywhere.

“It truly is great to be home.” Tempest said.
> Ones Self...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few hours later Berry Punch and Tempest were nearly finished with trimming and cleaning up the grapevines in the west field. Berry Pinch was busy picking up anything the two mares missed from the ground. The filly was putting the loose trimmings and old grapes in a basket for disposal later humming a tune to herself.

Tempest was busy nipping dead leaves off the vines. Her armor barely hindered her even in the warm sunlight. Her Aunt was doing the same thing not far from her. As they went on to the final hour before lunch time Tempest’s temper was on the rise again. Why? Because Berry Pinch all the while was throwing sidelong glances or staring at her. Tempest knew what she wanted to ask. She wanted to know about her broken horn. It wasn’t rare for a unicorn to damage their horn, but to have it completely shattered is very rare. A unicorn's horn is their life, not in the sense they’d perish without it. Life as in it's a very essential part of their being. A unicorn without a horn is incomplete, and quite literally broken. Many lose the ability to use magic altogether, while some, like Tempest, are lucky enough to have kept their magic.

Berry Punch noticed after a while when Tempest started swishing her tail she knew that Berry Pinch was staring. It was clear to the older mare that her daughter didn’t notice she was upsetting Tempest. To alleviate this from escalating Berry Punch walked to her daughter and picked her up with her hooves.

“Mom?”

Berry Punch smiled kindly to her daughter.

“My little Ruby, you’re working so hard today. What say we get started on lunch early, hmm?”

“Really?! We’re already that far ahead?” Berry Pinch asked in amazement.

Berry Punch let out a light chuckle at her daughter’s enthusiasm.

“Yes, with Fizzlepops’s-”

“Stop calling me that! My name’s Tempest Shadow!”

Berry Punch gave her niece an unamused stare for a moment before turning back to her daughter.

“Excuse me, I meant Mrs. Grumpy Butt’s, help we were able to get done ahead of schedule. So we can start on making lunch! Does that sound like fun?”

The filly nodded vigorously.

“Mmmhmmm!”

“Great! Now, let’s go back home and get everything ready,” Berry Punch said, placing the filly on her back. “Fizz-I mean Tempest?”

“Hmm?” Tempest looked back with a branch of withered grapes in her mouth.

“When you finish here why don’t you come back? We should have everything ready for you then. Can you handle this on your own?” Berry asked.

Tempest spit the grapes into her own basket before talking.

“I’ll be fine Auntie. You go on ahead without me. I can take care of this. I did help grow these after all,” Tempest stated proudly.

Berry Punch barked out a laugh and covered her mouth as she snorted. Tempest rolled her eyes, but managed to crack a smile at her Aunt’s snort. Even Berry Pinch was giggling.

“I know you can Tempest,” Berry Punch said walking away, before she called back. “By the way, the compost bins are on the eastern side of the west field. Please put everything in them and turn them please!”

“I will!”

“Bye, bye, Fizzlepop! See you soon!” Berry Pinch called to her, and waving.

“Grrr. I hate that name. . .”

Tempest grumbled to herself as she continued to work on the vines. About an hour later, she finished trimming the vines and gathered up the baskets. She realized that they weren’t completely full. So, to save herself a trip or two, she put all the trimmings in one basket and placed that one in the other two. She now had one full basket layered inside the other two. This way she could take them all at once.

She then thought about how well the vines were doing. As she walked along between the rows of vines she took notice of how healthy they were this year. Usually she and her family, from what she remembered, use to take all day in each field. Sometimes two. This years crop seemed to be doing rather well. She was impressed by this. Not only was her family vineyard growing, but it was healthy too.

Walking along the vines was nice. It made her feel calm seeing all this lush green around her. She then came to a clearing where there was a large wooden shed, with several black barrels that were suspended by wooden stumps at their sides that allowed them to spin. The immediate area was just a simple dirt lot with the shed, barrels, and a few loose tools lying around between the east and west fields. Tempest walked to one of the barrels and once she reached it she used her hooves to open up the twist lid and exposed the compost within. The smell of the compost hit her nostrils hard. She nearly toppled over from the smell so, she pulled away from the bin gaging. Trying to make this quick she took the  basket and poured its contents  into the barrel. After which she quickly sealed the bin again.  Feeling relieved she spun the bins a few times each making sure to mix the compost in each. After she finished turning the barrels she put the baskets in the shed and the loose tools and stored the inside the shed.

After securing the shed Tempest walked back home at a brisk pace. Her stomach rumbled slightly. She had really worked up her appetite, a quite a sweat too. Though she was hurrying home she did take some time to enjoy the view. Surrounded by the grapevines she enjoyed the green world around her. Unlike the Badlands and beyond it was nice to see lush colors such as these. It was a nice change from the browns and greys of sand, rock, and metal. Eventually she went into a full gallop running through the rows of grapevines. The freedom she felt running was intoxicating. She loved it.

When she could see her home in the distance she went into a full gallop until she reached the back door. As she approached she could hear the voices of her aunt and cousin inside. Tempest wiped her hooves and went inside after removing her boots. Once inside she wiped her brow and walked inside heading for the kitchen where the others were.

“Mommy, why do you call Tempest, Fizzlepop?” Berry Pinch asked.

“Well, Sweetie, that’s her real name is Fizzlepop Berrytwist,” Berry Punch explained. “It’s the name she was given after birth by your Aunt and Uncle.”

Tempest pressed herself against the nearby wall and listened to her Aunt talking to her cousin. There was a brief pause where nothing was said. Presumably Berry Pinch was pondering on what her mother said. Then after a near ten second count the filly walked around her mother levitating three plates clumsily to the counter. The clanking of the ceramic on the stone counter by inexperienced levitation magic resonated into Tempest’s ears, followed by the clopping of two sets of hooves. When the gentle clopping went silent Tempest peeked around the corner to see Berry Punch and her daughter sitting at the table. The mare was holding her pink filly in her lap petting her mane with gentle strokes. The cute wide smile and slight purr from the filly made it obvious to Tempest she was enjoying the physical affection.

Then the filly asked, “Mommy? Why does Tempest have a broken horn?”

Tempest suddenly felt her heart racing. Her body tensed, and her blood boiled. She really hated hearing that question. Hey, what happened to your horn? What is that, a unicorn? Hey no horn! What’s stations do you get? All the insults and all the jabs she endured over the years was enough to get her temper to rise. She listened in on her aunt's response.

“That’s not my place to tell you Sweetie.”

That was not what Tempest expected to hear.

“Aww, why not?” Berry Pinch whinned.

Berry punch sighed. She nuzzled her filly in the cheek and gave a gentle kiss to her cheek. Berry Pinch giggled bopping her mother's nose in response.

“It is a very sensitive subject for Tempest. So, please don’t bother her with your questions my little Ruby,” The mare bid her daughter. “She’s had a rough foal hood. If she wants to tell you she will on her own. Tempest has always been challenging after she lost her horn.”

“Challenging? What does that mean?” The little filly asked, tilting her head with a look of complete confusion on her.

Her mother nodded slowly deep in thought. Tempest watched, listened, and waited to hear what would be said. She fought the urge to barge in and stop the conversation altogether, but she wanted to hear what her aunt had to say.

Then Berry Punch said, “She was a good filly growing up. She had an accident that broke her horn and she, her parents, and I had a long argument. In the end we didn’t listen to her, and she ran away from home. We haven’t seen her since. In fact she wasn’t much older than you.”

“Wow.”

Berry Punch ruffled her daughter’s mane. Then as if she were using her daughter to repent for her past misdeeds she pulled her into a tight hug, and smothering her with affection.

“I’m sorry, little Ruby. I shouldn’t be telling you these things. This is grownup stuff you shouldn’t be worried about. Just know I love you and Fizzlepop. She may not show it now, but I know Fizzlepop missed us too. I think you two will get along great. Just give her space and keep comments about her horn and past alone, please?”

“Yes, mommy,” The filly nodded.

“That’s my filly,” Berry punch said wiping her eyes. “Now go upstairs and wash up. Lunch is ready.”

“Yes, momma.”

Hopping off the chair Berry Pinch scampered off upstairs to wash her hooves. Berry Punch watched her and then turned to face where Tempest was hiding. The broken unicorn flinched hiding from sight hoping she wasn’t seen.

“You can come out now, Fizzlepop. I knew you were there the entire time.”

Shoot! How does she do that? Tempest recomposed herself and walked around the corner. She didn’t smile nor act like she was spying on her aunt and cousin, but the look her unt was giving her said it all. While Tempest wasn’t happy about her aunt telling Berry Pinch about the things she did, she respected her for not telling anything concrete. After everything that happened, her aunt still respected her privacy. At that moment when they locked eyes Tempest felt her respect for her aunt rise just a bit. Like Berry Punch said, the damage was done, but if Tempest was to get past this she had to give. When it comes to family you need to give a little before you expect to get anything back. Trust in your family, Tempest, and they will trust in you. That’s what Twilight Sparkle said to her before she departed to return home. It touched Tempest to hear them, but putting them into practice was harder. Words were just words. They carried not true weight unless one acted on them. To do this Tempest decided it was time to go out of her comfort zone.

She sat in a chair next to her aunt. For a few seconds Berry Punch satred at her niece, who just stared in the opposite direction. Completely averting her gaze and stared at a dirt spot on the wall. Then after the longest few seconds either of them felt Tempest managed to tear her gaze from the spot in the wall and made eye contact with Berry Punch. They stared at each other, neither saying a word.

Tempest felt her chest tighten as the rare, but familiar feeling of anxiety filled her. Take the first step, Tempest. You commanded armies, conquered entire lands, and captured four of the most powerful beings in the lands. You can talk to your damn aunt! She mentally berated herself. Then, why is it so hard? Tempest couldn’t take it anymore. With a leap of faith she lunged at her aunt, her arms wrapped around her, and Tempest buried her face into the mare's mane hiding her face. She felt her cheeks burn as she gripped the mare tightly leaving the stunned mare winded with the lung crushing hug.

Needless to say Berry punch was ecstatic that her little grapevine was opening up to her. However slightly it might be, it was progress. Though her lungs were burning from a lack of air, Berry Punch managed to hug her niece back.

“What brought this on, Fizzlepop? I thought for sure you didn’t want any displays of physical affection,” Berry asked, with a surprised tone.

“I just, I wanted to thank you for not telling her. I-I-” Tempest rubbed her cheek to her aunt's.

Berry punch couldn’t help but pet Tempest's mane. She slowly stroked the massive mohawk of a amne she had. It was soft to the touch, unlike her rugged appearance.

“I know, Tempest. I know. You ran away because you were angry with us. You have every right to be angry. You still shouldn’t have run away, but I understand why you did.”

“I’m sure you do,” Tempest sneered.

“Yes, I do,” Berry pulled away and looked her niece in the eyes.

There was a deep lingering sadness behind her aging, tired, eyes. These eyes were the same ones she knew from so long ago, but hey were softer more understanding. Perhaps, more sympathetic.

“When you ran away I was so angry. Your mother lashed out at your father and it almost tore them apart,” Berry said, putting a daisy sandwich on a plate for Tempest. “When that happened your father nearly divorced your mother. It was a rough time for us. My sister and I left to go to Ponyville shortly afterwards. Thankfully your mother and father made up and never separated.”

Tempest's ears perked at the mention of her aunt's sister.

“After the fight we all stayed away from each other for a while. Your father moved out for a time. Your mother stayed here. They both tended the fields, but they refused to talk to each other unless it was absolutely necessary. Even then it was very strained from what they told me. Then one Hearth’s Warming Eve, we all came together, even Ivory and Barbara did. We all managed to kiss and makeup in the end. We’ve been closer as a family ever since.”

Hearing the story from Berry Punch made Tempest think about her life choices. Specifically on the choice she made to leave when she did. Tempest was proud. She didn’t deny that. It was part of her and always will be. The thing that she regretted was letting her pride take hold of her and allowed it to influence her as much as she did. She wished she could take it back. All of it.

She thought of all the years she lost. Time with her family, friends, and of all the potential friends she could have had. Maybe, even found love. She shook her head to clear her thoughts on that. That was the past. She needed to focus on the future. Changing the subject she brought up her aunt's sister to divert the conversation to a les somber theme.

“How is Barbara these days?” Tempest asked biting her sandwich.

Berry Punch stifled a laugh as best she could.

“Believe it or not she teaches foal at school!” The mare said giggling.

“What? Really? I thought she didn’t believe in that career test stuff?” Tempest asked.

“She didn’t, but one day she and Ivory Scroll helped a couple of foals and they both got their cutie marks from it.”

Tempest smiled. “Really? Both of them at the same time? What a cosmic coincidence.”

“Indeed. They moved together to Ponyville. Married even.”

Tempest quirked her brow. “So they tied the knot.”

“Yup! Ivory runs Ponyville as mayor, and Barbara is now a teacher for foals! When she got married to Ivory, she changed her name to Miss Cheerilee, by the way,” Berry added that last part with a whisper. “She doesn’t like being called missus.”

Nodding to her aunt, Tempest took a bite from her daisy sandwich. The taste of the flowers in the bread was nice. Most races found it bland, but for ponies it was a delicacy. Berry Pinch walked in and sat next to her mom. The filly used her magic to serve her own sandwiches, and ate in silence. After finishing her first sandwich tempest asked for another, which Berry Punch served to her.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

“No worries. So, speaking of that, what have you been up too over the years?” Berry Punch asked.

Hearing that question brought back that tense feeling in Tempest’s chest. She slouched over her plate with a deeply depressed look and dropped her sandwich. Berry Punch quickly tried to think of a way to change the subject, when suddenly the door in the living room opened. Berry Punch and Pinch both looked happy at the sounds of the door opening, but Tempest had a very different response.

She unexpectedly jumped from her seat, shoving the table to the side and rushed to the door. Years of paranoia and mistrust in the Badlands had conditioned her to take hostile actions whenever her current residence was being invaded by unexpected visitors. Her mind had gone completely on autopilot as she charged her horn rushing to the front door. Her mind flashed back to many times she let her guard down and various times she was robbed and hurt. She rounded a corner to the main loft her head lowered and her horn sparking with powerful raw magic as two ponies stared in complete shock at the angry armored mare before them.
> Family Forgivness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The calm before the storm.

The long used and famous phrase of a pony, or creature, who really knew what they were talking about. A phrase that often invoked images of utter destruction and fera into the hearts of ponies. Now, two ponies stood in fear of the snarling calm that was Tempest Shadow, about to release the storm onto them.


Tempest herself was in a blind fury ready to strike the ponies down. Her Aunt was screaming at her from the kitchen, but she didn’t hear her. The three pony staredown was tense. The two ponies dared not move, and Tempest had a look that dared them to try so she could vaporize them. As the seconds ticked away on a nearby clock Tempest felt herself relaxing a bit. Once she was sufficiently calmer, but still very rigid, she took a moment to look at the ponies.


It took her a moment, but she recognized them both.


There before her were her mother and father. Aged, yes, but it was them. Her mother a earth pony of lighter lime green fur and a bright pink short mane. At her side was a slightly taller orchid colored unicorn stallion. He had a small goatee and a slicked back salmon pink mane. Tempest noticed he was also wearing a business top and tie. Realizing who they were she stood up like a tempered Royal Guard Cadet being inspected. The two ponies realizing they were in no danger looked to the mare in front of them. They smiled seeing her broken horn. They looked happily at each other and hugged. The mare was suddenly on the verge of tears and the stallion faring no better. Suddenly then lunged forward and tackled Tempest to the ground.

The sounds of joyous laughter and cries filled the room as Berry Punch watched from the kitchen. Her daughter on her back they watched as Tempest struggled to break free from her mother and father’s iron tight grips.

“Oh, Fizzlepop! My sweet filly has come home!”
“Yes, she has! Oh, we’ve missed you so much!”

Tempest herself was trying to hide her emotions, and on the verge of failing miserably. Her mouth was strained between a grin and sneer, her eyes twitched from the contact, and her body felt tense as her ears flopped side to side like a teeter totter. She was really happy inside to see her parents, but she really did not like to be touched either. However, for the sake of family and keeping her mother and father happy for the moment she endured it. Her mother and father nuzzled her cheeks from both side of her face. She felt her cheeks burn and her sneer/grin went into a full blown frown. Regardless of her outward demeanor her parents continued to nuzzle her.

“Hey Mom, Dad. Can you please let me up?”

“Oh! Sorry sweetie,” Tempest’s mother said, leaping off her.

Her father followed suit. The two older ponies allowed the younger mare to get up. Tempest noticed a dust bunny had made its perch on her shoulder armor. With a flick of her wrist it flew off, and slowly fluttered uselessly to the ground. Tempest then proceeded to annihilate it under her hoof, smearing it across the ground under her boot.

Her parents watched as she scraped her hoof against the floor. They seemed worried, and this was not lost to Tempest. The younger mare brushed her leg with her for leg and tried to think of something to say. Come on stupid! Say something! Anything! She mentally scolded herself for being so rash. Why didn’t she think of something to say before hand? WHY!?

“Umm… how, was your trip?” Tempest asked.

“Oh, the um, trip?” Her mother asked, her brain still had not caught up.

She looked to her husband who wasn’t quite sure at first. For a moment longer there was silence until he realized Tempest was referring to his wife and his trip.

“Oh, it was nice. We took a world airship cruise to the Crystal Empire, and a few other places along the way!” He said.

Tempest felt her chest ache again. That same feeling reeling its ugly head once again to the forefront of her mind. That pesky feeling of regret once more made her question every choice she made in her life that led to this point. Again she felt like she shouldn’t be forgiven for what she’d done. Not just to ponies of Equestria, but also to her family. Of course this was also due to her own stubborn pride she had. She had an image to uphold. From her side Tempest saw her aunt and cousin walk up beside her.

Berry Pinch hopped off her mother’s back and ran to her older mare and stallion with cheerful glee..

“Auntie Chardonnay! Uncle Merlot Fritz!”

The filly came up to them. With a mighty leap Pinch was in the air and latched onto her uncle's broad chest like a cat. Merlot Fritz chuckled as he scrapped the filly off his chest. He then fled her in his massive arms and tossed her up in the air. Pinch squeal in delight, and flailed her arms, while giggling loudly.

“How’s my little niece doing!?” Merlot asked the filly.

“I’m good! Tee hee!”

Chardonnay, stepped forward and hugged Berry Punch. “It’s good to see you again, Sister.”

Berry Punch was more than happy to return her sister’s hug.

“You too. I’m glad your trip was without trouble.”

“I know right? So, when did you get home, little filly?” Chardonnay asked giving her daughter a glance.

“I, uh…”

Tempest lost all control of her mouth. Words wouldn’t form and she couldn’t think of anything to say. How should I approach this? Awkwardly blurt out ‘I’m sorry for being a selfish brat and running away?’ Or should I wait it out? Maybe I can just leave and- Her thought’s were interrupted when her aunt nudged her forward and into her mother’s chest. Tempest glared back at her aunt blushing. Berry Punch giggled and took her daughter from Merlot Fritz.

“Come along sweetie, your Aunt and Uncle need to talk to your cousin.”

“Aww, but I want to talk to aunt Chardonnay and uncle Fritz about the trip!” Pinch whinned.

“I know sweetie, but they haven’t seen Tempest in a long time. You see them all the time, so let them get to spend some time with her too.”

“Yes, momma,” The filly relented.

“That’s my little one,” Berry punch said placing the little pony on her back. “We’ll be in town. Take all the time you three need.”

Once the two ponies were gone, Tempest was left alone with her parents. After standing in silence a while longer Chardonnay suggested they relocate to the kitchen. Agreeing with his wife, Merlot herded his alienated daughter to the bar where he sat by her side. Chardonnay broke out a old dusty bottle of red wine and poured three glasses and distributed them. Once each glass was served Chardonnay and her husband raised their glasses in hoof.

“A toast, to the reuniting of our family!” Merlot offered.

Chardonnay nodded with a smile on her.

“I agree! Our baby is back and healthy as can be!” Chardonnay glanced over her daughter thoroughly. “Although I’m sad she hasn’t bared foals yet.”

Needless to say Tempest was shocked at what she heard. Hearing the words come from her mother's mouth nearly caused her to drop her own glass, and Merlot gave his instigating wife a stern glance over his glass.

“Honey, we talked about this. We agreed we’d only let her do that when she was ready. That includes talking about it.” He emphasized the last part with great stress; as if she wouldn’t get the hint.

“I know dear. I just wish to have grand foals before I get too old,” Chardonnay said sipping her wine.

Tempest blushed staring at her glass. Her father pat her back, his hoof clanking against her armor. She broke her agaze away from her glass and looked into his eyes. Worn and aged as they were they were the same eyes that made her feel safe and welcome as a filly. Her mother and father. They barely changed over the years. They looked the same, acted the same, the only exception being their timid nature around her now, but that was expected. At least they didn't start yelling at me when I first saw them. Tempest thought to herself as she sipped her wine.

The taste of a strong bitter flavor hit her tongue as the wine ran down her throat. It left a tingling sensation in her as she placed the glass down. Clicking her tongue, Tempest gave the glass a casual glance. She spun the glass, stirring the red wine within imaging a tiny boat sinking into the whirlpool of red.

“This is father’s, isn’t it?” She asked aloud.

“Yes, your father made it. He even named it after himself. We made it after you, well, after you left.” Chardonnay said quietly.

The older mare sipped her own glass while her husband downed his in one gulp. Once the glass was emptied he quickly brought it down to the bar counter. Of course he was careful not to break the glass as he gave his wife an embarrassed grin.

“Honey, can we please not talk about that?”


Tempest looked between her mother and father. Her curiosity peaked and she couldn’t resist the temptation to ask what had transpired after she left. Plus, that wine her father made was wonderful! She loved the tart flavor followed by the bitter aftertaste. Then again, she didn’t want to talk to her past, so why should she force others to? Do unto others as you would have them do to you. The sound of Twilight’s voice rang in her head, as Tempest thought about the purple princesses advice. If she didn’t want to talk about her past that was fine, so she should respect others privacy too. Of course, that was hard to do for her. As Commander Tempest, she was use to getting the answers she wanted on the fly. Be it through intimidation, or threat of violence Tempest always got the answers she sought. Once more she felt conflicted about her nature.

She wanted to know, but there was nothing at stake. Yet, it was hard for her not to revert to her old ways. She wanted to change for the better and not alienate her family after the first meeting. That being the case she decided to compromise. “Come now mother.” She turned to face her mother, giving her a relatively blank stare with her brows slightly furrowed.

“Give father a break. Besides if father doesn’t want to talk about how he messed up a barrel, being the senior winemaker, who are we to judge?” Tempest said to her mother.

Chardonnay glanced at her gawking husband and giggled.

“Yes, I guess you’re right. We’ll call it a, ‘happy accident’.”

Both mares laughed at Merlot’s expense. Both of them tapped their glasses together and drank the remains of their wine in one gulp. Both of them sighed contently, and set their glasses down. Merlot poured another round of glasses while grumbling to himself. He made sure to keep the bottle near him.

After the laughing died down everypony sipped their wines reveling in the wonderful company they long missed. Tempest herself felt very relaxed. More relaxed than she had been in years. She was happy seeing her parents again; and, she was even more delighted when she managed not to upset her parents like she feared. She truly thought of herself as being foolish. Ponies were very forgiving. Something she wished she possessed in full. Alas she was just learning to forgive. As her father finally recalled his tale of how he made his, “Merlot Wine” Tempest became lost in thought.

Forgiveness.

Something she was in serious short supply of. True she could easily forgiver her family that was a given. They were family and family stuck together through the thick of it. Being part of a family isn’t about being perfect, as much as it is about being able to get through the rough patches together. Tempest ran that line in her head. It was a line she memorised along with many things in her copy of Twilight’s Friendship Journal. As the words repeated in her mind she slowly pieced together an apology. It was a simple thing. She would say she’s sorry and that would be the end of it. Simple right? She glanced at her parents who were laughing at something her mother had said. She completely missed it. How many other happy moments had she lost because she wanted her magic back so badly? How many birthdays, family outings, and school plays she passed up? All for what? So she could have her horn back. To find her place among her kind? Would it really have made a difference? No. She thought. It would have made no difference. I should have bucked up ages ago. I won’t play the pity party game anymore!

Mentally prepared she took a deep breath and cleared her throat gathering her parents attentions.

“Mom, dad, I have something I want to say to you two,” She said, her voice shaking and cracking slightly.

Both her mother and father gave their undivided attention. They didn’t want to miss what she had to say. They held each other's hooves for comfort, as if they were expecting Tempest to blow up on them.

“I’m sorry!” Trying to get the words out Tempest didn’t realize she just yelled at the top of her lungs.

Blushing she turned away trying to hide her face from her parents. She expected them to say something belittling to her. When nothing was said she dared to look back at them, completely not expecting what she saw. Smiles. Genuine smiles on their faces. Not the fake plastered smiles and grins that his daggers and venom behind them like she expected from Capper, or pirates across the Badlands. Honestly, she knew better. Ponies were forgiving like that most of the time. Her parents most of all. So, why’d she expect any different? I’ve clearly had nothing but bad influences in my life, but it made me smarter to the ways of those who would take advantage of others. She reasoned. Mom and dad would never turn their backs on me.

“Mom, Dad, I was a brat. I ran away and I made some bad choices recently,” Just like that the words filled her mind and poured out like a flowing river, pure and untainted. “I hurt many ponies for selfish reasons. I’m sorry. I hurt you. I hurt Aunt Berry and I’m sorry. I want to come back home and become a vigneron. Maybe become a winemaker like both of you? So, can I come back?”

As expected Tempest was bombarded by her parents who rushed her into a group hug. Her father was first and had his arms around her completely and nuzzled her cheek. Her mother was behind her and like her father was nuzzling her other cheek. Embarrassed by the show of affection Tempest mumbled incoherently until a gently hoof touched her lips silencing her. The hoof belonged to her father who brushed his cheek against hers affectionately.

“Of course you can come back. My little girl,” He said.

“Yes, we’ve waited so long to have you back. We missed you, and of course we forgive you!” Her mother said.

“While we can’t speak for anypony else we do speak for family. We love you Fizzlepop,” Her father said joyfully.

“Thanks you,” Tempst replied brushing her face affectionately to her parents. “You have no idea what that means to me.”

For the next hour the three ponies stayed in a close embrace. Tempest told stories about what she’d done over the years, her trying to take over Equestria for the Storm King, the capture of the Princesses, everything. She left no detail out. Of course, her parents said that, it was all over and that if she deserved punishment the princesses would have done so. So, Tempest didn’t need to fear retribution. Her parents were very kind and understanding. They were so happy to get their little filly back that Chardonnay almost forgot to ask a very important question. The mare broke away and left go find a camera. Once she procured one she returned to find her husband arm wrestling Tempest, and lost. After announcing herself the victor tempest saw her mother and straightened herself out. Chardonnay giggled taking a picture of the two before setting the timer to take a group photo.

The clicking of the camera signaled the picture was taken Chardonnay looked at her daughter with eager eyes.

“So honey, what’s your cutie mark look like?”

Suddenly all the color and joy drained from Tempest as the question spiraled in her head. Her brain working overtime to catch up. Suddenly her father showed the same eagerness her mother showed, by hopping in his seat like a colt on Hearth Warming Eve.

“Yes! Show us your cutie mark!”

Bother her parents had sparkles in their eyes. It was heartbreaking. She didn’t know what to tell them. She wasn’t prepared for this. Once more her time away from home left her ignorant of the ways of ponies in her homeland. Cutie marks were an important thing for everypony. It was a sign of what made them special and what they had a knack for doing. Something that defined them. For Tempest she thought it would have to do with magic, but because of her condition she never once thought she’d get hers. So far that held true. She glanced at her armored flank then back to her parents. Eager to see it they waited with barely subdued patience for Tempst to show them. Then at last tempst sighed and slowly remove her armor from herself. As she did her parents were literally on the edges of their seats, and chardonnay was ready with the camera to photograph the cutie mark the minute Tempst showed it to them. However, as Tempest removed her rashguard the happiness in her parents eyes turned to disappointment, then to deep with worry.

Chardonnay was first to find her voice. “Sweetie, are you-”

“I can’t believe it.” Merlot muttered.

Tempest nodded silently and turned to show them. Her father and mother gasped as the saw nothing but dark orchid colored fur on her flank and nothing more.

“Sorry Mom, Dad. I’m a blank flank.”
> Coming to Terms with Complacency
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tempest felt ashamed of herself. As she shared her secret to her parents she could feel the judging eyes coming from them. She remembered back when she first lost her horn. Ponies she was friends with made fun of her for her destroyed horn and she sue to get angry. One day she lashed out at one of her friends and injured him. At the time she prided over his pain, but her parents disapproved of her behavior. She could still see the disappointed looks they gave her when she said she didn’t care he got hurt back then. No doubt they were disappointed in her now.  How could an adult be a blank flank? Imagine her surprise when her parents suddenly hugged her again. They were gentle and didn’t say a word to her, but Tempest could feel a dampness on her neck where her mother was dug into.

“Mom, are you crying?” Tempest asked.

The mare nodded in response but remained silent, all but the crying, of course. Even her father remained quite.

“You guys aren’t disappointed in me?”

“Of course we aren’t,” Her father said.

“We’re just glad to have you home. Your cutie mark will come in time,” Her mother replied.

“Wow, thanks Mom, Dad. I really wasn’t expecting that.”


“You worry too much, sweetie,” Chardonnay said ruffling Tempest's mane. “Even as a filly you always did. What if this, and what if that, you’re still such a worry wart.”

Tempest rolled her eyes and pushed her mother's hoof away.

“Mommmm.”

Chardonnay giggled trying to ruffle her daughters mane again. “Oh! Don’t be that way!”

As Tempest fended off her mother, Merlot pulled away and got the camera. Using his magic he took a photo of Chardonnay and Tempest. By now Tempest was ruffling her mother's name in retaliation of her own. Merlot smiled watching the two most important mares in his life bonding again. It made his heart flutter. Suddenly they stopped and turned to him. He gulped and levitated the camera onto the bar counter. The camera rested in place next to the three empty glasses and half full bottle, just in time for him to be double tackled by the two mares and his mane was assaulted.

The three ponies laughed together as they roughhoused for several minutes. Once more Tempest found herself enjoying life. She was finally reunited with her family and they were doing family things! She couldn’t have asked for more than that. Once they settled down Tempest poured them each another glass of wine. Chardonnay brought out some fruit and crackers for them to eat with their wine. Tempest put a small cut of cheese on a cracker and ate the morsel in one bite. She chewed it thoughtfully and added a sip of her wine to the mix. The combinations of flavors melted together, creating a bitter tangy taste she loved, much like when she discharged her horn and felt the satisfaction of shocking her opponents to submission. She was really going to miss doing that.

“Dad, I got to say your wine is the best,” she complimented him.

“Why, thank you,” Merlo replied, his smile turning to a frown as he glared out the window. “At least I know somepony does.”

With a grumble he sipped his wine. The bitter flavor a perfect way to describe the bitter look on his face. Tempest tilted her head at her mother who shook her head in response.

“Your father is just being silly, ponies love his wine. He’s just mad that the Moscato Moon family’s white wine is selling better than his red wine.” Chardonnay explained. “They’re nice ponies, but they’re  dominating the market right now. Truth is, they are actually holding back because they want all the families to profit. They even agreed not to host the upcoming Nightmare Night so your father and I could drive up sales.”

Merlot nodded in agreement raising his glass.

“Indeed they are. To our friends the, Moscato Moons! And bless their generous hearts!”

“Cheers!” Chardonnay cheered.

“Cheers. . .”

Tempest’s half-hearted cheer was as bitter and sour as the after taste in her mouth. Chardonnay and Merlot looked worriedly at her. Of course they knew what she was thinking. The good mood gone, the two ponies waited for Tempest to say something.

“Still upset about your friend?” Merlot asked.

“No. . .”

Merlot glanced at his wife. Chardonnay shrugged unsure of what to say. That response was definitely not the response of somepony who wasn’t upset for sure. For the sake of the conversation Merlot decided to play along with it.

“That’s good. I’m glad you got past that,” He said, gently patting Tempest’s back. “I can see you’ve changed for the better. Despite what you told us you did.”

“You’re not angry with me about invading the city? Taking hostages, and prisoners of my fellow ponies? Any of it?”

“Well, we’d be lying if we didn’t say we weren’t shocked and disappointed in you for it,” Chardonney replied cautiously.

Merlot nodded and wrapped his arm around Tempest. He then pulled her close to his chest and pressed her head against his chest. Hearing the soft beating of his heart made Tempest feel relaxed. Safe in his arms. Her mother watching over them like a sentry hawk.

“We’re just glad to have you home, kiddo.” He said.

Tempest smiled. She Leaned over reaching around her father’s neck with an arm and pulled him close. She pressed his cheek against hers. She felt her cheeks burn from the intimate contact as she nuzzled him feeling embarrassed, but she endured. After a brief heartfelt moment Merlot separated from her and got off his seat and ruffled Tempest’s mane. She swatted a her father, her horn sparking. Her mother gently swat her upside the head warning her not to discharge all over her father.

“Okay, I say we do something to get these sad thoughts from our heads,” He suggested.

Tempest’s eye and ears perked up hearing that. Anything to not talk about her past was welcomed to her.

“Yes, let’s go help Auntie in the West Fields,” the younger mare agreed happy to get the focus off herself. “We got an early start cleaning out with Berry Punch's help.”

“Aw, it’ so nice of her to help! She’s such a good filly!” Chardonnay gushed.

Merlot laughed, Tempst rolled her eyes. As Tempest walked away from the bar, Chardonnay and Merlot joined her leaving the house together. Tempest was sandwiched between her parents all the while their tails all entwined together. The three ponies could not be happier as they walked through the grape fields. Off in the distance there was a series of explosions deep in the center of town. Tempest turned her head her horn charged and ready, but she managed to fight her instinct to charge to the source of the sounds.

She then noticed that the explosions were fireworks. With her keen sight she focused on the area where the fireworks were coming from and notice the were tiny little rockets flying in the air before exploding it an array of various colored sparkles. Some were loud, others quite, but they were impressive nonetheless.

“Looks like there’s something going on over there,” Merlot said.

Chardonnay glanced over to see the fireworks too. She then got a look that said she remembered something important she forgot. She nudged her husband and whispered something in his ear while Tempest was distracted. Merlot chuckled as his wife whispered in his ear with a cheeky grin.

“That’s not a bad idea. Maybe it’ll help get her mind off things.” He said to his wife.

“Glad you agree, dear,” Chardonnay said, kissing his cheeks. “Fizzzlepop?”

Tempest’s head snapped towards her mother with an angry scowl. It barely fazed her.

“Sweetie, there’s a traveling thespian performance. Later on, why don’t we all go see it? I bet little Pinch would love it,” Chardonnay said.

“I think she would,” Tempest agreed rolling her eyes. “Guess my training could wait another day for this, show.”

After agreeing to this Tempest spent the rest of the walk in silent contemplation. As they arrived at the westfield again, Berry  Punch and her daughter were busy gathering grapes with straw baskets on their backs.

There were several filled baskets at the ends of each long row of the vined plant rows. Each row had several empty baskets yet to be filled with the year bounty. Even though the fields were massive, the two ponies managed to gather much of the west field alone. Seeing this brightened everyone's mood. It would make a great harvest.

Merlot thanked his sister in law and niece for their hard work. Pinch was delighted from the compliment and cheered by galloping around her uncle and aunt. Everypony laughed at the overjoyed filly, except Tempest who just watched while gathering grapes alone. After taking a minute to chat Chardonnay and Merlot joined in the gathering with Berry Punch, Pinch, and Tempest.

The ponies broke apart each working a set of rows in the westfield before moving onto the next row in their set. Each pony was given a set of rows to work on and only them to spread the work of.  Should they finish, like Tempest did, they would move onto the next set of rows designated to them, and if they finished them all they’d help whoever was farthest behind and so forth. While they worked Tempest overheard Berry Pinch talking to Chardonnay about the traveling performers. Apparently they were very popular and were famous in central Equestria. Tempest tried to stop herself from sighing over and over again hearing the filly’s excitement to see the performers. Apparently they had an earth pony in the group.

Tempest couldn’t help but think that things never really do change in equestria. Even in her hometown where parties and festivities weren’t as common, there were still parties and shows. It bothered her greatly that ponies spent so much time wasting it on frivolities, and not preparing for the next big threat. Dragons and griffons had more sense than that! Sure there was a time and place to rest and relax, and yes, have fun.

Down time and fun were not foreign concepts to Tempest. She often took time to relax after a long day's training. Although, she hadn’t trained in some time since she left for home. This did bother her some, but she could easily pick up her training after today. Her family took priority. That being said, she wished ponies in Equestria would take threats more seriously. If she had her way, she would break down every militarized organization and rework them from the ground up. She went down a mental list of every encounter she had.

Wonderbolts? Completely useless. Word got to her ear that it wasn’t the first time either. The Royal Guard? They weren’t much of a challenge; however, Tempest didn’t deny it took longer to take them down than the Wonderbolts did. Then again, there were a lot more of them than there were Wonderbolts. The Princesses? She let that one speak for itself. The Element Bearers? Defeated and forced to flee. 

Truth be told, the majority of everything that happened that day was done by her personal guards. Not those simple minded buffoons in the Storm King's Army, but the ones she personally hoof picked, and trained herself. There were only ten of them, and she knew each of their names. Their strengths, and weaknesses. They were the best in the Storm King’s Army and it was all thanks to her. She was the best there was, even with her broken horn. Her personal guard were just as capable as her. So, why did Equestria fare so badly for a nation so developed, so powerful, and bountiful lose to her and her handful of guards, she wondered? The answer was so painfully obvious to her that it hurt her head just to think about.


Ponies in Equestria were happy and complacent. While the world struggled around them they rested in a cradle of power relatively untouched by evil. They relied on the power of artifacts they barely understood, on ponies they barely heard of, and from what Tempest learned from Princess Twilight, they relied on what appeared to be dumb luck and intuition.

All that power. Wasted. Used without any training, understanding. There was a severe lack of discipline and structure. It angered Tempest to think that the most powerful ponies in all the land were so lax and nonchalant about their enemies until they showed up. Everything about this situation was mind boggling to Tempest. She literally could not grasp the thought process.

If you knew there was a threat, you eliminated it. If you can’t, you train or learn how to do eliminate it. If you can’t do that then you do what you can to get rid of it. It was that easy for her to understand. So, why couldn’t ponies grasp this concept? Was she the only sane one in the land? Were the rules really that short sighted or arrogant? Surely not. Even from the brief time she spent with the Princesses they didn’t seem incompetent, or arrogant. Mostly. Tempest had spent years training herself to fight and to prepare for any possibility that could emerge in battle. She could not explain or reason why it was so.

Her anger swelled inside her. Again her old habits kicked in. She could only think of how stupid this all was. Even in their defeat, the Princesses made no attempts to change their ways, or up their nation's security it seemed. They just partied on like nothing happened! It infuriated her so much that she began to involuntarily discharge her hron. The lighting blue magic rained around her immediate vicinity. Through the bushes Berry Punch could see her niece as she continued gathering grapes. Eventually Tempest managed to calm herself and for the rest of the afternoon as she worked without incident. As the noon turn to evening and the sun began to set the five ponies gathered what they collected and returned home together. Tempest and her father each pull a simple wooden wagon filled with stack baskets of grapes. It was a good harvest. Tempest could feel a small sense of pride seeing the harvest they gathered. Of course, she also loved just being back home, and for the first time in a long time Tempest Shadow truly felt her life was whole again.

She and her father took the harvested grapes to a separate area in the west field to a large barn. There they stored the grapes in a large wooden pit filling it up to the brim with the tiny blue colored grapes. Once their baskets were empty and safely stored away Tempest and her father placed the wagons outside the barn and secured their wheels with wooden stubs so they wouldn’t roll away. As Merlot finished his wagon, he watched Tempest secure hers.

He couldn’t help but smile at how efficient she worked and her no nonsense behavior. For him, it was a stark contrast to the filly he once knew. Tempest herself kept her gaze away from the stallion while she worked. Only after she finished did she finally look him in the eyes. He had a playful smile on his mug which had a sense of mischievousness to it.

Tempest narrowed her eyes at him, ready for whatever game he had coming. Then suddenly he lunged forward tackling her to the ground. He and Tempest laughed as he tickled her in the soft unprotected portions of her suit. She cried out uncontrollably as she struggled to get an angle to get back at him.

“N-nno fair daddy!!” She gasped between laughs.

“All fair kiddo. You gotta be ready for anything!” He chuckled, his unrelenting tickle attack making Tempest's horn spark.

“I-I'll get you back!” Tempest declared twirling around on her father. She managed to get her hooves to reach behind herself and struck the stallions sensitive ribcage in a fierce counter attack that made him break into laughter.

“Now you will suffer my wrath, Father!” She declared hopping on top of him.

Unfortunately the fun didn’t last long. As the two laughed and rolled in the dirt trying

A powerful magical discharge erupted from Tempest's horn and blew apart one of the wagons startling both ponies. The two immediately ceased their roughhousing and jumped like startled cats. Debris fell from the sky as they stared wide eyed in shock at the destruction they caused. After the debris settled and burnt wooden shards fluttered down on them they managed to take a glance at each other. Then they laughed.

“Oh, you Mother’s gonna be mad now!” Merlot said gasping for breath.

“Heh, heh, yeah. I hope you realize I’m blaming you for this,” Tempest said pushing her father playfully in the side.

“Hey, don’t be a snitch, kiddo!” Merlot pushed her back and ran off towards home.

“Hey! No fair!” She yelled running after him. 


Setting the Tone: Osono’s Request


Tempest gave chase giggling like a filly after her father. She felt like a filly again. Remembering fondly all the times she spent with Merlot, Tempest weaved through the vines as she chased her father back to the house. She tried many times to catch her father but for an aged old stallion with no combat experience, he proved to be elusive. She could not catch him no matter what she tried. She tried to feint him, double back, even jump him from the sides, but he always seemed to know where she was coming from. Tempest blamed her childlike giggling for giving her away, and simply enjoyed the chase. Her father also felt invigorated. He felt younger and more energized than he had in a long time. As he dodged Tempest, he lured her over to a large hill that overlooked the entire west field and most of the town.

Once there he allowed her to leap onto him. She tackled him from behind and rolled with him over the peak of the hill and down the side. They managed to stop just a few feet down the slope right as the sun was hitting the horizon giving a beautiful evening view of the town. Tempest was panting both from her lose of breath in the chase and the literal breath taking view.

“Wow.” Was all she could say.

Her eyes scanned the horizon. Every detail in her town was comlimaneted by the reds from the setting sun and the shadows it cast. She could see ponies gathering in the town square around what looked like two large enclosed wagons near the central fountain. She could see the rows and fields of grape vines all around and all the tiny houses all mashed together in this perfect moment in time.

“You know kiddo, they call this the Twilight Hour. Do you know why?” Merlot asked Tempest.

“No.”

Well, it’s said that long ago when Princess Celestia had to banish her sister, Princess Luna, she went through a phase of sorrow and seclusion,” Merlot explained scooting closer to Tempest, pressing himself against her side. “It is no secret she loved her sister dearly and was distraught by her banishment. One day when she was lowering the sun Celestia was thinking of a way to help ponies see that the night should be enjoyed as much as the day. So she set the sun and moon just over the horizon to create this beautiful sky we come to know was the Twilight Hour. It is a tribute she did for her sister and does to this very day.”

“Wow, I never knew that,” Tempst said looking at the setting sun again. “Love and family truly are wonderful things aren’t they?”

Merlot nuzzled her cheek and gave her a gentle kiss. Tempest wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled him back and together they watched for the next hour as the sun set and the moon rise. There was a barrage of feelings in Tempest as she laid there with her father watching the transition from day to night playout. She felt oddly nostalgic. Oddly being the case for she never watched the sunset before with her father or mother either. In fact she never truly appreciated what life had to offer. As Commander of the Storm King's Army, she definitely didn’t care about such things. Now, with her head cooled and her mind clearer than it ever was, it was easier to take it all in and it was a wonderful feeling. She was truly enjoying every moment of being alive. That more than anything gave her hope. Hope that she would make the transition to a normal life in time.

After all, if her Aunt and family could pull through after she abandoned them, she was confident she could make the transition too. She would do it not only for them, but for herself as well. For now she would ‘live in the moment’ as the saying goes. Enjoying the warm embrace of her father in this perfect moment, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
> Old Feeling of Anger Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the sun set over the land darkness overtook the light. The veil of darkness was brief followed into a flawless transition as the moon rose over the horizon. The astronomical body arose high in the sky casting its protective light over the dark veil like a beacon to lost souls. Tempest felt a chill run over her as the warmth of the sun was gone, replaced by a cool breeze from the night.

She shivered in her armor and quickly got up to get her blood pumping again. He father was startled by the sudden movement, but he took no offense to it. It was a cold night and so he and Tempest left to return home as quickly as possible.

When they arrived Berry Punch and Pinch were sitting on the couch while Chardonnay was in the kitchen doing dishes. At the table were two plates of food, now cold, sitting all alone. When Tempest and Merlot entered the foyer, the mare turned and marched like a solider with a purpose and intercepted them before they had a chance to exit the foyer.

“And where have you two been?” She asked, glaring at both ponies. “Merlot, why are you two so late coming home? You know the rules. I can forgive Fizzlepop for not being around as long as she has, but you know better.”

The mare scolded her husband shaking a spatula in her hoof at him angrily with each word. He tried hard not to laugh at her attempt to be menacing. Even Tempest found it hard to keep a straight face. Her mother was covered in dough, flour, and had a ‘Kiss the Chef’ apron on.

“And what’s so funny, mister?” She hissed at her husband.

The stallion continued to chuckle even after his wife puffed angrily at him. Finally she found she wasn’t getting the reaction out of him she wanted, so she guided Tempest to the table. After setting the young mare down Chardonnay took one plate of dinner and heated it up for her. It was a simple tomato pasta soup, with a side of bread rolls, and a salad. All brought together with a glass of aligote wine called Moscato to compliment it.

“Thanks mom.”

“Don’t worry about it, dear,” Chardonnay said softly.

The mare was patting Tempest on the shoulders and giving her a relaxing massage. Tempest felt her body relax as the knots in her shoulders eased with the soft kneading of her mother's hooves.

“Oh, that feels good,” Tempest moaned softly.

Chardonnay stopped her a massage and pressed her lips on the back of Tempest’s head giving her a kiss there. Tempest blushed and hunched over to eat her food. She scooped a spoonful of her soup. She sipped the soup taking in a mixture of penne noodles, chicken, and romano cheese. All the flavors mixed together to create a strong, but not overwhelming taste of zesty and sweet sensation in her mouth. Tempest fought back the urge to moan as she swallowed her mouthful of soup. After swallowing the soup Tempest placed her spoon down. After which she took a small sip from the flute glass of wine. The dryness of the wine was a stark contrast to the food. Usually one didn’t mix the two together, but Tempest loved it.

She loved strong contrasting flavors in her food and drink. Perhaps it said a lot about her personality too. She grinned at the thought as her father joined her along with her mother. The two older ponies sat across from her as she ate. They themselves had two glasses of red wine, in the next room over Berry Punch was sitting with Pinch while the old record player played an old tune Tempest hadn’t heard since her early foal hood.

The song playing was Les Troyens, a personal favorite of hers. An old classic that wasn’t well known unfortunately, but it was still special to Tempest. The three ponies listened to the calming music while they ate. The sounds of Berry Punch and Pinch talking in the next room overtook the music at one point when Pinch became excited about the traveling show in town.

“I heard they have a geomancer in their group!” Pinch’s voice yelled excitedly.

“Oh, a geomancer? Those are rare talents!” Berry Punch said in amazement.

“Yeah! I can’t wait for us to all go see it!”

The cheery voice of the filly in the living room was complimented by her scampering hooves on the wooden floors. Tempest's ear flicked when she heard her aunt giggled and the scampering stopped.

“Actually sweetie, we can’t go with you.”

“What!? Why not?” The filly whinned.

“Actually, your aunt, uncle, and I were going to start mashing the grapes tonight. We need to begin the fermentation process before this humidity makes them go bad,” Tempest heard Berry explain.

She looked at her father who looked annoyed by this revelation. Chardonnay went on to explain the type of grapes they harvested go bad quickly after they’ve been picked. To that end they had to begin fermenting them as quickly as possible so the batch wouldn’t turn out bad. Time was essential and they had time, unfortunately they couldn’t all go to the show.

“-so, if it’s not too much trouble, Fizzlepop, could you take little, Ruby Pinch to the show tonight?” Chardonnay asked.

“Uh, sure? It should be interesting,” Tempest said sounding bored.

As she finished her soup Tempest was suddenly tackled by her tiny cousin. Berry Pinch squealed in delight nuzzling her cousin in the cheek. The three adults replied to the action with overload from the cuteness, while Tempest glared menacingly at them. She didn’t mind showing affection, but she hated the dumb look ponies gave when they saw something cute or adorable. The unnecessary gushing and squeals all annoyed her to no end. Adults were the worst offenders, but she couldn’t stay mad at her parents or aunt for that. Of course it didn't help that they thought her glare was adorable with her deep blushing face. A click from the camera proved that embarrassing moment would last forever in her mother's scrapbook somewhere for many ages to come. Probably long after she was gone. Eventually she managed to smile as Berry Pinch continued to nuzzle her.

“Oh, that’s so adorable!” Chardonnay gushed, then turned to her sister. “Please, tell me you got that shot?”

Berry Punch looked at the camera in her hooves and grinned tossing it up several times.

“Of, course I did. What? Do you think I’m an amatuer sister?” Berry Punch as mugly.

Chardonnay giggled and pushed her sister.

“No, but I know you’ll drop that camera if you don’t stop doing that!”

Berry Punch rolled her eyes at her sister. Then as if the universe was trying to help drive that point, Berry Punch nearly did drop the camera. Swiftly Merlot managed to catch it with his magic and set the camera safely down on the table. Chardonnay gave her sister a smug look, and Berry Punch huffed crossing her arms and looking away with an annoyed expression. Everypony laughed.

After the pony managed to calm down from their laughing fits, and the camera stored away, Tempest and Berry Pinch were getting ready to leave to go see the show. Chardonnay, Merlot, and Berry Punch were leaving to start mashing the grapes when Pinch hugged her mother.

“Bye, Mommy!”

“See you in a few hours, my little ruby,” Berry said kissing Pinch’s forehead.

The filly was wearing a small pink beanie, with a matching scarf, and fur boots with little white strike on them. She reminded Tempest of a pink and white candy cane. Tempest was about to leave but her mother’s strong hooves stopped her. A powerful tug spun the mare around and she was face to face with her mother and a stern expression.

Tempest felt uneasy at first. She remember that look. It was her mothers ‘I’m going to give you a lecture,’ look, and Tempest didn’t feel like dealing with a lecture right now.

“What?” Tempest asked.

“Aren’t you cold in that?” Chardonnay asked.

“Uh, no? Why?”

Chardonnay sighed facehoofing. She shook her head and went upstairs and came back down with a sweater, scarf, and earmuffs, and offered them to Tempest.

“Put these on sweetie, and take that armor off, you look like a thug,” Chardonnay said softly trying not to sound too demanding.

“Mom, I’m fine in my armor. It’s not like I’m going around destroying buildings or something. You make it sound like I’m in a gang,” Tempest said sounding annoyed.

“Sweetie, you’re going to a magic show with your cousin, not going to war. Please, do this for me, sweetie?”

“Ugh, fine. Only for you Mom,” Tempest replied taking the items.

“Hey, what about me?” Merlot asked in the hallway.

“You hush, they’re having girl talk,” Berry Punch said pulling him away.

The stallion struggled against Berry Punch’s iron grip as he was dragged away. Tempest and her mother both giggled at the stallion’s failed escape attempt. After which Tempest slipped off her armor and rashguard and placed them aside. She looked over the items she had. She put in the pink and blue fur boots which made her hooves very warm and snuggly too. She then wrapped her scarf around her neck and placed the earmuffs on. She felt like an orchid, pink, and blue menace.

“Ugh, this does not match my fur coat at all,” She complained, giving herself a lookover. “But damn do I look good.”


After giving herself a lookover her mother came back into the living room. She was carrying a lacy saddle that matched her current outfit. Tempest glared at her mother’s sheepish smile.

“No.”

Chardonnay groaned and shoved the saddle forward at Tempest.

“Oh, come on sweetie! Saddles are in right now thanks to that fashionista from Ponyville! It’s cute!” Chardonnay said.

“I’m not wearing that, thing,” Tempest growled.

“It’s cute, and matches the outfit! Come on try it on, pleeeeeease?”

“... No. I’ll look like a hooker.”

“You will not!” The mare gasped. “This is a saddle, it’s not like you’re wearing stockings and panties, and a girdle with it!

Tempest groaned loudly and walked away from her mother and grabbed Pinch by the nape of the neck. Lifting the illy onto her back Tempst walked out the door saying a brief goodbye to her aunt and father, and completely ignoring her mother's calls to her.

“It looks cute! You’ll get a stallion for sure! Sweetie!”

The sounds of her aunt and father snickering made Tempest blush. Her cousin looked at her with childish curiosity as her older cousin stormed out of the house.

“Goodbye mother!” Tempest embarrassedly called out, ignoring her family.

Once free from her mother's nagging, and her aunt and fathers useless snickers, Tempest allowed herself to breath a sigh of relief. Pinch patted her head gently earning a kind smile from her older cousin.

“Thanks kid,” Tempest said nudging Pinch’s side with her nose.

“Aw, it was nothing. Auntie and Uncle tease me all the time. Sometimes my friends do too. They’re nice though. Especially my friend Dinky! She’s so cute!” Pinch gushed.

Tempest couldn't help but smirk at the filly whose cheeks were now rose red.

“Aww, is that you’re little filly friend?” Tempest asked teasingly.

Berry Pinch gasped in shock and started beating Tempest on the back of the head, of course she put no real effort behind it.

“You’re mean! She’s just a friend!” Berry Pinch cried out indignantly.

“Oh, yeah. I’m a mean mare,” Tempest chuckled playfully with a grin.

Tempest chuckled shaking the filly off her back. She then pushed her over and nuzzled her tummy making Pinch giggle from her belly tickle. Tempest giggled with the filly feeling great about the time she was spending with her. Even though she didn’t like foals for the most part, Tempest couldn't bring herself to say she disliked her cousin. She was adorable, and not insufferable. Then again, she didn’t know what Tempest did at the friendship festival, but she didn’t want to dwell on that. She had to get the filly to the show! Tempest turned and waited for Berry Pinch to get up before she continued to walk down the stone pathway toward the town.

“Come on little one.” Tempest

“Right behind you, cuz!”

Pinch scampered off after Tempest following her all the way through the fields of grapes and all the way to town.

The ponies were all gathering around the center of town around the wagon Tempest saw earlier. It was a quaint little thing, purple with elaborate gold trims. It had a grey slanted roof with a retractable awning and windows on either side of it, and a single door at the rear. Tempest took note of the saar designs covering the wagon. Behind it slightly hidden from view was a similar but smaller grey wagon with no truly discernible features.

Were they a traveling group? Tempest thought to herself. She remembered her mother saying something to that extent, but she couldn’t remember if it was so. Regardless the large signs on the side of the wagon and all over town showed this was definitely the place to see the show. The ponies gathered facing the side the purple wagon as a fanfare played from around them. The ponies looked around but found no source for a disembodied voice that suddenly spoke from the very air around them.

“Welcome ponies of Wineville! Prepare yourselves, for tonight you are about to witness magic that will awe you!” The voice said in a booming theatrical manner, as rainbow sparkling fireworks spiraled around the crowd.

“Ooooo!” The crowd awed.

“There will be magic! Mystery! And adventure! For tonight, you will witness the amazing talents of the one, THE ONLY, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!”

Suddenly from the front a large smoke cloud burst from thin air and as it cleared there stood a azure blue unicorn mare, with a beautiful silver mane and tail sporting a long elegant star spangled cape and matching hat. She wore a thousand bit smile that seemed to sparkle with her magenta eyes, with no hint of smugness in sight. If you were blind.

Tempest wasn’t impressed one bit.

She could tell this mare was arrogant by her posture alone. The self inserting egotistical callouts and the overinflated bombast was the dead giveaway. However, Tempest couldn’t help but think this mare, Trixie, seemed familiar to her somehow. But she couldn’t for the life of her figure out where she’d seen her before. Was it back at the Friendship Festival? No, she was sure to remember somepony so arrogant and annoying as her. Did she see her at one of the towns? No, again she’d remember her for sure. Nothing was coming to mind, but somehow the mare was familiar to her. So familiar that it was like she remembered some important thing she long forgot, only to forget it moments after she remembered it.

While Tempest thought about the mare named Trixie, said unicorn proceeded with her show taking no particular notice of the mare in the crowd with a broken horn. Berry Pinch was once more one Tempest’s back and perch atop her head watching Trixie in earnest.

“Now! Allow Trixie to introduce her traveling entourage! The first is a mare of great magical talents! AND she’s the Princess of Friendship’s personal student, and my best friend. Starlight Glimmer the Magnificent!”


Trixie stood on her back hooves and waved her arms to the right of her as a cloud of smoke burst a few feet over. From the smoke came forth a periwinkle mare with a dark violet mane with a light teal stripe tied back in a ponytail. She was wearing a cape and hat similar to trixie but with a violet vest with her cutie mark on the right chest area. Starlight Glimmer using her unicorn magic, took her hat off and bowed to the cheering audience.

“Welcome everypony!” She called out to the crowd. “Are we all having a good time?!”

“Yeah!”
“Wooo!”
“I love your mane!”

“She’s pretty!” Berry Pinch, ‘oohd’ at the mare on stage beside Trixie.

“Ugh, if you’re into that I suppose,” Tempest said leering up at Trixie who suddenly focused to her left.

“And now the final member of our Majestic Trio! She’s a mare of brute strength! She cold lift weight over a ton and destroy boulders the size of Trixie’s wagon! Please give a round of applause to the Might Maud the ROCK!!”

Again everypony cheered as a cloud of smoke burst to the left and a dull grey earth pony mare stood in its place. Her light purple mane and dull expression was very much complimented by her simple grey vest and cape. She wore no hat, but atop her head was what appeared to be a tiny, well polished rock. The mare bowed slightly but made no exaggerated movements like her predecessors. The crowds cheers quickly died down and became silent.

Everypony stared at the dull grey mare, waiting for her to do something. The awe was high, and expectations were too. There was a long tense pause where nothing happened. Then as the crowd started to relax there was a loud sound from above. Everypony in the crowd looked up to see a massive boulder falling from the sky and heading towards the caravan. The crowd gasped at cried out about the boulder as Trixie, Starlight, and Maud all casually looked up at it. At first tempest was ready to charge up and blast the boulder to dust, but something about the trio of performers gave her pause. Why weren’t they running or getting ready for the hulking stone from above? She decided to watch and only jump in if she really needed to. To be on the safe side she put Pinch underneath her and charged her horn, ready to fire at a moment's notice.

As the crowd was beginning to disperse Starlight and Trixie’s horns glowed brightly. Their magic swirling around Maud and turning the earth pony mare into a bright golden color. Maud then leapt into the air leaving a dust trail behind, and hurled herself at the boulder.

The crowd no longer fearful of being crushed turned to see the golden mare in the sky. She was a beacon of hope in this desperate hour. What happened next defied anything tempest, or anypony here had ever seen. As Maud flew towards the boulder, she used her bare hooves to swiftly punch at the boulder. The speed at which her arms moved made them nothing but golden blurs to everypony, but that wasn’t the best part. The boulder was being chipped away bit by bit, and Maud was unharmed drilling away like it was nothing. The dust of the disintegrating boulder caught bits of the magic around her and created a dazzling golden shower behind her that was as powerful to see as it was majestic. When the rock was all but gone, Maud twirled around to give the last bit a roundhouse kick and created a powerful golden blast that exploded in the dark sky lighting it up.

The remains of the rock flew into the air like a golden meteor. Trixie and Starlight both fired two beams of magic that caused the remains to explode into a dazzling array of magical fireworks that spread out to more and more. The fireworks varied in shape and size and the crowd cheered once more as maud landed near Tempest.

Tempest couldn't help but feel impressed by what she saw. These three amres had indeed put on quite a show so far. Trixie and Starlight were great with their magic. Maud however caught Tempest Shadow’s full attention. She couldn’t help but look over the grey earth pony feeling her cheeks burn. The strong shoulders and arms on the mare were enough to entice Tempest slightly. That show of confidence in her skill, and trust in it was definitely something to be desired; or, maybe she just trusted her companions. Regardless, Tempest was speechless and stared at this magnificent grey mare before her. Maud caught wind that she was being watched and gave a slow wink at Tempest, which made her blush immediately. Tempest tried to hide her blush by turning away and scoffing, but her eyes trailed back to catch a glimpse of Maud’s flank as she replaced her cape around her neck covering herself. Curse you cape. Tempest thought banefully at the fabric. Wait, what am I thinking!? I’m not out here to check ponies out, blast it! I blame mother for this. Once more her thoughts dwelled and she immediately thought about that stupid lacey saddle her mother wanted her to wear. Now though she could only imagine Maud in it. And boy, did she like that thought. Suddenly she gasped. NO! Damn it I’m turning into my mother!!

As the horrifying thought of turning into her mother resonated within her mind, the show continued on for several minutes. The trio of performers did various tricks and feats that did indeed leave the crowd wanting more. Starlight performed great magical spells, Trixie dazzled the crowd with her beautiful prestidigitation, and Maud showed off her brute strength and surprising agility. Tempest was very impressed by Maud’s strength and agility. It reminded her of herself. By the end of the hour the show was coming to a close, and Tempest caught sight of her parents and aunt coming towards her from the crowd.

“Mother, Father, Aunt,” She greeted the ponies.

“Hey, kiddo, how was the show?” Merlot asked bear hugging his daughter.

“Ack! It was -gasp- fine father,” Tempest tried to say as her lungs were crushed by her father’s vice like grip.

“Dear, you’re going to hurt her if you do that,” Chardonnay chastised her husband.

“Sorry kiddo,” Merlot said letting Tempest go.

“It’s fine.”

“Mom!”

Little Berry Pinch leapt into her mother’s arms. Berry Punch gave the filly a playful twirl in the air making her laugh happily.

“How’s my little ruby? Did you like the show?” Berry Punch asked giving Pinch a nuzzle to the cheek.

“Tee hee, yes! It was amazing! Trixie and Starlight glimmer were like, MAGICAL! And Maud was  like, POW POW! AND BROKE A HUGE ROCK TO PIECES!”

Everypony chuckled at the fillies enthusiastic retelling of the show. As she went on Tempest looked back at the trio of performers. She suddenly remembered where she heard their names before. Princess Twilight mention all of them by name. Of course, she now knew who Starlight was first hand, Maud too, but there was something different about Trixie. She knew her from somewhere else. But where?

“Come on little one, we have to go home,” Berry Punch said, placing Pinch on her back.

“Aww! Why?” The filly whinned. “Can’t I stay out longer? The shows almost over?”

“Mind your mother dearie,” Chardonnay said to her niece. “Your mother has worked very hard today. Please, don’t give her more trouble.”

Pinch sighed and hugged her mother apologetically.

“Sorry, Momma.”

“It’s fine sweetie. Now, let’s go home and get you to bed. Its way past the time,” Berry Punch turned and walked away with Pinch on her back.

Tempest turned to see Trixie was now atop a wooden crate with Maud and Starlight flanking her. Her cape flowed as though it were in the wind, and her hat bobbed with every exaggerated movement she made.

“And now, fillies and gentlecolts, please lend Trixie your ears!”

“Such a loud pony,” Tempest sneered.

As the words left her mouth Tempest’s mother and father were now flanking her sides and sandwiching her between them. The two older ponies nuzzled her cheeks making them burn bright red.

“G-guys! What are you doing?!” Tempest struggled to break free.

Her parents laughed as they smothered her with their pent up affections. Eventually she gave in and simply allowed it. She’d never hear the end of it if she didn’t let them do their thing. Oh, she could hear it now. Why don’t you love us anymore, Fizzlepop?! Her mother would say. I can’t believe we raised a thug! Her father would cry.

Even though they annoyed her to no end, they were her parents. She did love them. She just wished they were less touchy feely about things. Tempest didn’t like to be touched, ironically she didn’t mind touching others. If it involved punches and kicks.

Finally after what felt like the longest ten seconds of her life, Tempest was set free from her parents affections. She skipped forward and shook herself like a cat who had just been dunked in water, as if the motion would removed her embarrassment from herself.

“For now the Great and Powerful Trixie will tell you a tale! A tale of how she became the strongest unicorn in all of Equestria!”


“I thought Maud was the strongest pony in Equestria?” A fill said form the crowd.

Trixie’s eyes bulged as she stood silent for a moment. Coughing in her hoof she jumped off her crate and walked to the filly in the crowd. She gave her a kind smile and playfully ruffled her mane.

“That’s true, but Trixie is a unicorn. See?” Trixie pointed to her horn.

The filly looked at her horn and nodded like she was in a trance.

“Now, Maud may be the strongest earth pony, but Trixie is the most powerful unicorn. See?”

“Oh! I get it!” The filly gsped.

Trixie and the crowd laughed together as Trixie gave the filly her hat to wear.

“Now, hold onto this! It’s very special. Trixie got it from her brother when she became a traveling magician,” Trixie leaned into whisper in the filly’s ear. “It will make you great and powerful too.” She said with a wink.

Tempest rolled her eyes.

“Ugh, I can’t believe ponie buy into this crud,” She said to herself.

Chardonnay looked up at Trixie who was now perched up on her crate again. She smiled seeing the mare and the ponies around her. She leaned into Tempest's side and pointed to the azure mare.

“Do you recognize her, Fizzlepop?” Chardonnay asked her.

Teempst glared at her mother, but ignored the fact she got her name wrong again. Guess I’ll just have to get use to it. She thought, looking back at Trixie. Again she was sure she knew the mare, but then it dawned on her that her mother knew who it was.

“You know her?” Tempest asked.

“Oh, yes, she use to play with you all the time!” Chardonnay said gleefully.

“I did? With that arrogant lout?” Tempest asked looking Trixie from top to bottom.

“Oh, yes. You, her, and her brother use to play together all the time,” Merlot added.

Tempest thought back to her time in her hometown. She didn't have many friends back then. So it was easy enough to remember all of them. However none of them had brothers. Which made it easy for her to figure out who it was. Her memories flashed back on one fateful day that spiraled her life out of her control and she left to seek power. Power to restore her horn. As if it her memory wasn't enough, this mare Trixie proceeded with her performance and what she said next all but confirmed who she was to Tempest.

“Let Trixie tell you the tale, of how she single footedly save the town of Hoofington from the dreaded, URSA MAJOR!!!”

Tempest felt her heart skip a beat. Her life flashed before her eyes to the moment when she was a vulnerable filly. Vulnerable and foolish. The day she fought and ursa minor and almost died. The day she lost her horn. The day her so called friends, sent her into that dreadful cave to get their favorite ball back. And this mare, Trixie, no, Boysenberry Lulamoon was the one who convinced her to do it, and here she was telling that story like it was her own adventure of grandeur! Tempest snarled and narrowed her eyes dangerously at Trixie, who seemed oblivious to her presence.

“She did not just go there....”
> Anger 2: Challenge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A million thoughts passed through Tempest Shadow’s mind as Trixie told her near fictitious tale of the Dreaded Ursa Major. She thought of the most efficient way to snap that pretty blue neck in twelve different ways. She thought about vaporizing her on the spot. She even humored the thought of tying her up and throwing her into a bear den, maybe the same ursa cave. No, that would be to mercifully quick. Dismissing her dark thoughts, Tempest decided to wait and confront her, old friend, when they were alone. Tempest didn’t want to make a scene in front of so many ponies, no matter how much she really wanted too.

No, Tempest you’re a different pony now. You can’t go around attacking ponies. That’s not what good ponies do. She thought mentally restraining herself from her murderous thoughts.Sensing her rising tension her parents wrapped their arms around her to comfort their distressed daughter. Tempest looked between her mother and father’s comforting eyes as they stood by her side. She truly felt blessed at that moment to have them back in her life. Boysenberry however was a different story.

“-and that is how Trixie defeated the Ursa Major and saved the town!”

Tempest shook her head as the ponies cheered and stomped the ground with applause.

“Well, that was a nice show,” Merlot said, trying to ease the tension in the air around them.

Tempest snorted in response.

Chardonnay tried her hoof next. “Yes, and I think it was sweet how she allowed that filly to hold her hat. Wasn’t it sweetie?” She asked Tempest.

“I guess,” Tempest replied a bit curtly. “Mom, Dad, I’m going to stay out for a while. Why don’t you two head on home? I’d like some time to myself.”




Once her parents were gone Tempest waited in the cold night. She pulled her scarf tighter around her neck as a cold gust blew past her that sent a chill down her neck. As ponies scattered to go about the remaining of their day, a few remained behind to get autographs from the three show ponies. Tempest stood out of sight nearby and watched as Trixie, Starlight, and Maud signed papers, books, and even a stone slab. That one made Maud very happy.

Hiding around a building corner Tempest watched, and waited. She was a patient pony. She learned long ago that in order to get the best results one usually had to be patient. She firmly believed in, ‘good things come to those who wait’, and wait she did. It was getting colder as half an hour passed. The resulting cold was a direct result from the previous day's rain. The dampness in the air made even the slightest gust feel like a razor blade to the skin. Tempest wished she brought a coat. The dry arid skies were very different than it was here and she really wished she had her armor. She took comfort knowing she had ear muffs and boots at least. She adjusted the scarf once more as on last colt left the three showmars and trotted off with a smile on his face.

Tempest watched as Trixie stepped towards her fellow performers as they enclosed into a small huddle.

“That was great! Did you see all the smiles?!” Trixie asked enthusiastically.

The periwinkle mare, Starlight Glimmer, giggled in response to her friends giddiness.

“Yeah, it was pretty great! I can see why you like doing this, Trixie. It’s really nice to see all those smiles we brought to those ponies faces. We could have made a single pony who was having a bad day smile, and that just fills me with pride! Right, Maud?”

Both unicorn mares looked to their dull grey companion, who nodded slowly.

“It was riveting. Boulder loved it too. He didn’t like that boulder you used. Said he was too hard headed.”

Trixie rolled her eyes at the earth pony, while the unicorn Starlight giggled at their friend. The three chatted more and Tempest decided to make her move. Stepping from the shadows she made her way to the trio with complete determination. She had a great many things she wanted to say to Trixie-no, Boysenberry. She refused to think of this mare as anything different. The fact Boysenberry used her traumatic experience for her show was completely unacceptable. Tempest wouldn’t allow this transgression to go unchallenged.

“Well, Maud and I are going to go shopping for the trip back to Canterlot. You need anything Trixie?” Starlight asked.

Trixie thought for a moment then shook her head.

“No, Trixie has everything she needs,” She then turned to glare at Maud. “Unlike somepony who eats everything in sight, Trixie doesn’t gorge herself every meal.”

Maud slowly turned away, her grey cheeks turning slightly pink. Starlight gently patted Maud on the back reassuringly.

“Don’t worry, Maud. I know you have a high metabolism. Trixie does too,” The unicorn said.

As the two ponies walked away they went past Tempest and Starlight leaned in to whisper to Maud once out of earshot from Trixie. “Trixie’s just mad you ate all her peanut butter crackers.” Tempest rolled her eyes and ignored the two ponies as she approached Trixie, unaware that Maud looked back at her before disappearing around the corner with Starlight.

Now Tempest was alone with Trixie. It was time to make her move. Like a predator stalking its prey, Tempest silently approached the azure unicorn from behind. The mare was completely unaware of Tempest's presence until she turned and walked face first into Tempest’s strong, and surprisingly fluffy chest. Trixie let out a muffled scream and jumped back escaping her fluffy smothering. In her haste Trixie tripped over her cape and rolled backwards into her wagons side on her back with her rump over her head.

She blew her tail off her face and glanced at Tempest who was glaring down at her. Standing up, Trixie did her best to play off her fall like nothing happened by quickly dusting herself off.

“Greetings! Trixie didn’t see you there. Are you alright, miss?” Trixie asked.

Tempest narrowed her eyes dangerously at Trixie who didn’t even shy away from her tense gaze, but continued to speak.

“Trixie did remember seeing you in the crowd. Were you here for the show?” She asked.

“Yes, I was.” Tempest snarled at her.

Trixie smiled at her seemingly unaware of the mares venomous tone.

“That’s great! Trixie’s glad you liked it!”

I didn’t say I did. Tempest thought never taking her yes off the mare.

“Trixie hopes you really enjoyed the show! She and her friends will be making rounds with new tricks in the future and- you look very familiar. Have you be graced by Trixie’s presence before?” Trixie asked.

Again Tempest glared down at the unicorn with nothing but contempt in her eyes. That stupid smug grin, and that annoying third pony talk! Tempest really had to fight back every urge in her body to fry the mare to dust with her raw unrestrained magic. Alaas she managed to restrain herself. For now.

Circling around the unfazed unicorn Tempest looked Trixie top to bottom. She was what Tempest would consider a soft pony. A pony who barely had any physical prowess. Her magic seemed elementary by what she saw. In truth she wasn’t even that pretty in Tempest’s eyes. Trixie was a very average unicorn with an overinflated ego and bombast that could keep an airship flying for millennia. Atop all this she didn’t even recognize Tempest. She really hated this mare.

“Oh, we’ve met once long ago,” Tempest said slowly circling around Trixie. “Back then you went by a different name, Boysenberry B. Lulamoon.”

Suddenly Trixie looked shocked at the mention of the name. She looked around as if she were expecting somepony to hear and was worried about it.

“H-how do you know that name?” Trixie asked her suspiciously. “Who are you?”

Suddenly Tempest reared up on Trixie. She leapt onto her and pinned the petite mare to the ground under she strong hooves. Trixie struggled to break free, but Tempest had size, weight, and strength advantages over the soft build mare. Tempest’s horn violently discharged. Blue magical energy sparked and oozed down beside Trixie’s head as Tempest aim her broken horn at Trixie’s horn.

“Oh, you better remember me like your life depends on it!” Tempest's voice was filled with spite and hate with every word she spoke.

She was really holding trixie as a formality, she was waiting for an excuse to fry her, but first she wanted to hear Trixie explain herself.

“Tell me, Trixie, why are you here and why are you using MY most traumatic life event as the golden crop for your little performance? Couldn’t you have made something else up?! OR HAVE YOU GOT YOUR HEAD SO FAR UP YOUR ASS YOU DON’T RECOGNIZE YOUR OLD FRIEND?!”

“Wait, old friend? Who are-”

Trixie paused as her eyes gazed up at Tempest's broken horn. Her eyes went wide and filled with what Tempest thought, was fear. She ceased to struggle against Tempest’s pin hold and just stared blankly at the broken horn base as past memories came rushing back to her. Trixie did indeed remember this mare. It was so long ago she last saw her and so much had happened she quite forgot her, old friend. 

“Fizzlepop? Is that really you?” She asked with a stutter.

Tempest snorted allowing a few sparks from her horn to hit Trixie across the face. Not enough to harm her but enough to leave a strong stinging sensation behind and a small burn mark across her cheek. “Good, you do remember me. I guess you also remember how this happened?” Tempest asked, gesturing to her broken horn and allowed the sparks to intensify. “Or, did you manage to forget how you conned me into going into that cave for that stupid ball? ALONE?”

“Now see here! That wasn’t Trixie’s fault! You chose to go in there! Trixie didn’t con you into going alone! You chose to go in!”

“So you do remember that day!” Tempest said pointing a shaking hoof at Trixie.

Suddenly Trixie seemed at a loss for words. Her confidence was gone, and she refused to keep eye contact for more than a second with Tempest. Tempest could see it in her eyes, there was guilt in Trixie’s eyes, but she didn’t care. Here was a mare who was directly responsible for her downward spiral in life and Tempest was getting her payback one way or another, but how?

She could very well beat the mare senseless if she so chose. She was soft. Her magic was barely more than parlor tricks, with a few things in there that were real magic. It seemed unfair to fight her. Then again, if Trixie attacked first she could just call self defense if it came to it. No! I can’t do that anymore! What am I thinking?! Twilight trusted me to do the right thing! While tempest fought her inner demons a crowd had gathered around them to see what was going on in hushed whispers.

“Is that Fizzlepop and Boysenberry?” A pony asked.
“Are they fighting?” Another asked.
“That mare’s going to beat up Trixie, mommy!” A filly gasped.

Too many ponies had gathered around to watch as Tempest glared down at Trixie. While she still wanted to batter the azure mare to oblivion now wasn’t the time. What was needed was a strategic withdrawal. She could finish this somewhere else. Tempest stepped forward and stared Trixie down. To her credit Trixie didn’t even flinch this time, even going so far to glare back at Tempest. That was almost impressive. Tempest smirked at the brave face.

“You and me. Outside of town at midnight. We’ll settle this once and for all,” Tempest declared.

Trixie didn’t take the bait.

“If you think Trixie will stoop so low to fight a crippled pony you are sadly mistaken.”

Of course she wouldn’t take it on the first go. Tempest knew she wouldn’t. Even growing up Boysenberry was good at deflection in a conversation. So Tempest would use her one greatest strength against her. Her ego.

“Boysenberry, I challenge you to a duel! Face me for honor!” Ha! I have her now! She’ll never back down from a challenge-

“No.”

Wait, what?  Tempest's mind went blank. She wasn’t expecting to hear no as the answer to her challenge. That irked her. No one ever disregarded a challenge from her before. So, what was she to do now? All she needed to do was push a little more. Taking a moment to recompose herself Tempest turned on Trixie and looked her in the eyes with a thin smirk.

“What, the Great and Powerful Boysenberry too good to fight me?” Tempest asked.

Trixie scoffed offendedly and glared defiantly up at Tempest.

“Oh, that’s rich! But Trixie has more important things to do than fight a handicapped pony!”

Tempest felt her brow twitch involuntarily at the horn insult; however, she was nothing if not clever. She quickly thought of a rebuttal and put it into action.

“So, you won’t fight me because I’m crippled? Think I’m too beneath you, of Great and Powerful one?” Tempest asked.

The reaction was spot on. Trixie seemed at a loss for words again as the crowd murmured. There was clear division between them. Some wanted Trixie to fight Tempest to see a magic duel, others thought it unfair like Trixie, which was the vast majority of them. She wondered what Trixie would do. Accept her challenge and be humiliated at her defeat against Tempest, or would she back out and get a black mark on her for refusing the challenge?

She could tell Trixie was really trying to decide which path to follow. It wasn’t an easy choice for somepony like her to ruin her reputation on emotion alone. Then again, refusing the challenge, even from a crippled unicorn, was something she couldn’t do. So what would Trixie choose?

“Very well, Trixie accepts your challenge, but be warned that Trixie won’t hold back! You insult her honor and Trixie won’t pull her punches for it!” Trixie finally said after a lengthy wait.

Tempest nodded giving the mare a cruel smile, as her horn sparked with blue magical electricity. Trixie and the other ponies took a visible step back at the aggressive act from the broken horned unicorn. Tempest stepped around her and without turning to look back at her she whispered in her ear passing by, “Then meet me at the abandoned mine shaft at the edge of town. We’ll settle this there.”

With that Tempest made her way home taking a scenic route as the moon and stars danced across the sky.
> Duel Under the Stars Part: 1 (Narcissism Doesn't Always Work)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storms.

There were many kinds of storms in the word. Thunder and lightning storms, dust storms, hurricanes, snow storms, even hail storms. Tempest Shadow had seen them all. She once remembered this one-time Grubber brought a parasprite onto her ship, the Huracan , and it was a disaster.

The foolish hedgehog fed the adorable beast and it began its seemingly infinite spawning cycle. By the time the ship had reached the middle of the ocean it was infested with thousands of parasprites. Tempest remembered her head popping out of the swarm only to come eye to eye with an embarrassed Grubber. She remembered he slowly sank into the parasprites to hide. Tempest vaporized the majority of the swarm on her ship just to get to Grubber. It was surprising how many of her problems were solved through force. Now she was trying to be more diplomatic in her approach.

But Tempest was a storm.

None dared challenge her might.

Those who dared were met with a force they couldn’t stop.

Now, another has taken to the pedestal. Her old friend Boysenberry Lulamoon. Of course, she now went by the Great and Powerful Trixie. Tempest spat at the thought of the mare's name. It left a bad taste in her mouth every time she said or thought it. Tempest respected Princess Twilight’s ways, but this was her own problem and she would deal with it as she saw fit. Trixie would pay for using her near-death experience as a form of entertainment.

Tempest had to prepare. That mare was with some very powerful ponies. That unicorn Starlight Glimmer was really, REALLY, good with magic. Tempest would definitely need her armor to deal with her if Trixie allowed her to intervene. Of course, Tempest figured Trixie had more honor than that. Then there was that brawler of an earth pony. Maud. Tempest felt her cheeks heat up thinking of the brute force that mare showed in pulverizing the giant boulder with her bare hooves. If that pony jumped in the fight even Tempest's armor wouldn’t protect her. If a pony could destroy a boulder to dust what chance did Tempest have? She would die from internal injury long before her armor did.

Of course, she was far agiler than the earth pony. So, she wasn’t worried about getting hurt. Then again the thrill of the chase, adrenaline rush, the fight, it was all exhilarating to her. Tempest had been itching for a fight for so long now it was killing her.

She couldn’t wait to get home.

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by two tiny hooves covering her eyes and a weight on her back. She sighed as a high pitched voice whispered, “Guess who?”

Tempest couldn’t help but grin. She moved her head to look up towards the sky, still blinded by the tiny hooves.

“Gee, I wonder who it could be?” She asked in mock wonder.

Of course tempest knew the answer already. There was only one pony who used her back as a ride. Of course the giggles from behind her made her stop from getting the right answer right away. She would have a little fun with this.

“Is it… Berry Punch?”


“Nope!” The voice giggled.

“No?!” Tempest asked smiling. “Well, that’s funny, the color of your hooves are the same as hers so I thought you were her the whole time.”

“How can you? It’s night time!” The voice said, a matter of factly.

Tempest smiled at the fillies logic knowing very well that gave her the answer she wanted. She stood in place in the middle of the road and heard ponies walking by talking about her and the filly perched on her back.

“How cute!” Somepony said.

“My brother does that with me all the time too,” A mare said.

Tempest sighed feeling slightly embarrassed to be seen like this. Then again, here she wasn’t the fierce warrior who invaded a city. A faint hint of grapes filled her nose from the hooves of the filly. Tempest knew how to get the answer from the filly to identify herself.

“Are you the Great and Powerful Trixie?” She asked.

The filly giggled. “No! Trixie’s blue! I’m purple and adorable!”

You’re actually not purple, but I’ll let it pass. Tempest thought to herself. I guess it’s time to end our little game. I Have a duel to prepare for. Tempest turned her neck like she was looking back at the filly and smiled. The filly went stiff and silent and her predatory grin.

“So, you’re not blue, but purple and adorable? Small enough to stand on my back, and smell like grapes? You must be,” She paused and with a powerful push, Tempest sent the filly flying in the air and spun around to catch her in her hooves. “Berry Pinch?”

Berry Pinch giggled in Tempest’s hooves. Her back legs dangling and kicking with excitement. Tempest threw her up in the air again and a loud laughter escaped Pinch’s mouth. Tempest felt herself having fun too. This little distraction was a nice way to relax before she pulverized Trixie to dust. Realizing she had to get ready, she tossed Pinch up in the air only to have the filly land on her back. Berry Pinch bounced on Tempest’s back, her mane bobbled around, and Tempest smiled walking home with her niece.

Under the moonlight Tempest and Pinch made their way home. By the time Tempest was halfway home her tired niece was fast asleep on her back. The filly was curled up around her shoulders and snuggled against the scarf Tempest wore. After returning home Tempest was greeted by three very annoyed and upset parents.

From what Tempest could gather, Berry Pinch, snuck out of the house when they weren’t looking to go find Tempest. Of course the “pillow under the covers” trick only worked if nopony looked. Despite her attitude, Berry Punch was not dumb. She knew her daughter well enough to check. That, of course, didn’t stop the filly from getting into mischief. After putting the filly to bed, and reassuring the parents that nothing happened to Pinch, Tempest retreated back to her room and slipped off all the garments her mother selected for her and replaced her armor.

The cold heavy metal was enough to make her relax. She loved wearing the armor. It made her feel safe. Probably why she couldn’t stand having it on either. It drove her mad not wearing it. She assumed it was due to the fact she practically lived in it most of her life. Literally.

‘I can’t believe she snuck out again!’ The sound of her aunt’s concerned voice pierced the walls.

‘Don’t worry! Fizzlepop found her and she’s fine. No harm was done.’ She heard her father say.

‘I don’t care! That filly of mine is gonna get an earful when she wakes up!’ Berry Punch promised. ‘I swear she’s as bad as her father sometimes! Little sneaks!’

Tempest twitched her ear at that. She wondered about her aunt’s husband. She’d never met him before, nor had she ever heard a word of him since she returned. Who was he? For that matter where was he? Tempest could only wonder as she listened in on the older ponies conversation, hoping to get some details.

‘That stallion was nothing but trouble. We told you to break off with him sooner.’ Her father said.

‘I was in love. What did you expect?’

‘I expected my sister to have better judgment. Clearly your daughter takes after you as well.’

Wow, harsh.

‘Sigh, I guess you're right. Regardless I’m trying hard to teach that daughter of mine how to behave. I swear she’s going through a rebellious phase. I fear that she’ll only get worse in her teen years!’ Berry Punch cried out.

Tempest rolled her eyes. She could imagine her aunt throwing herself on the floor in a most dramatic fashion. Teary eyes and clutching her “aching heart” at the thought of her own flesh and blood becoming worse down the line.

‘Berry! Come on get off the floor and quit being so dramatic. You’ll wake the young ones!’

Tempest snickered at her mother’s words. Nailed it! Then it took a moment longer before her mind registered that her own mother called her one of the young ones. She suddenly went quiet and wasn’t sure if she should feel offended by that. She chose to ignore it and finished suiting up. She had a duel to win, but first, she had to take care of one last thing.

After finishing her armor Tempest walked down the stairs to find the group of adults. Tempest found her aunt circling around her parents with the most irate look she’d ever seen on her before. Her parents were trying to calm her aunt down, but the mare was wired with frustration. Tempest felt for the mare. In the short time, she knew inch she has proven to be a handful, but Pinch made life interesting. In a good way. Sure she could be a bit annoying but Tempest couldn’t think of the time here without her niece. ‘Wow, look at me going soft.’ She thought as she approached her parents.

“I’m going out for a while,” Tempest said walking by.

“Oh? Going out with your little friends, dear?” Her mother asked.

Nodding, Tempest tapped her shoes against the side of the door making sure they were secure.

“Yeah, I’ll be back sometime in the morning. I won’t be out long just an hour maybe,” She said.

“Well, you be safe out there, my little grapevine!” Berry Punch called.


“Ugh, Auntie!”

Blushing with embarrassment from her nickname Tempest storm out the door slamming it shut behind barely muffling the voracious laughter inside her home. Tempest made her way to the outer edge of town. She passed by the smaller patches of land laced with grapes over the hills. At the farthest reach of the town was an old abandoned mine shaft. That mine was what really help the little town become what it was today. The mine was once a great source of gold for the crown. Since it went dry the mine was closed down, but Princess Celestia helped fund the town for many years after.

Tempest soon found the old mine and there were the familiar wagons she’d seen earlier that day. The mineshaft was a simple cave that borrowed several miles down beneath the earth. Aside from that, it looked like nothing more than a simple cave with a minecart rail, old and derelict.  And there standing proudly on her hind legs, and leaning against her wagon was Trixie. Standing by were her two friends, Maud and Starlight.

As Tempest approached a strong gust of wind blew past sending a small chill through her body. Trixie pushed off her wagons side and approached the broken horned unicorn with a confident stride. Starlight looked worried about the encounter and Maud seemed passive. There was a glint in Maud’s eyes as she shifted her focus from Trixie to Tempest herself. She stared intently on Tempest as if scanning over her for something. Tempest shrugged it off and focused on Trixie.

The azure unicorn was as confident as ever. Her sassy saunter and casual attitude annoyed Tempest. She really wanted to punch her face in. That stupid smug grin she always wore. Now she’d get her chance.

“Didn’t think you’d actually show up, Boysenberry,” Tempest greeted the smaller pony.

To her surprise, Trixie didn’t show any kind of reaction other than a playful scoff.

“Well, Trixie IS the MOST AMAZING pony ever! Why wouldn’t she come?”

Tempest snorted and clenched her teeth. She glared down at Trixie who didn’t seem to care whatsoever. Stepping away Tempest took a few steps away from Trixie before turning to face her. The moonlight filled the area around them giving off a blood-chilling vibe that Starlight couldn’t shake off.

For Trixie and Tempest, this was their element. Under the spotlight and ready for action. While true neither knew what to expect, they both were ready to give this their all. Albeit for completely different reasons. The wind blew around them and Trixie’s cape fluttered in the wind. She stood proudly in full display puffing her chest out, while Tempest simply stood like a stoic warrior guarding something precious.

“I’m ready now. Are you?” Tempest asked.

Trixie nodded but held her hoof up.

“Trixie was born ready, but what exactly is it we’re doing? Specifically?” Trixie asked.

“A simple duel. Anything goes. First one to yield or get knocked out loses.”

“Oh? Is that all? Then Trixie will make this fast. She has a show to do tomorrow!”

With a flick of her mane Trixie’s horn sparked to life with pink magic as sparkles flew through the air with her mane. The sparkling effect was dazzling and impressive complimenting her star clad cape and hat well. It made Tempest feel sick.

“Just get ready so I can pull you,” Tempest said with a snarl.

Trixie laughed mockingly at her.

“Aw, got somewhere to be? Don’t worry Trixie will make this quick!”

After she finished talking without warning Trixie’s horn, still glowing with her magic, fired a clear white beam at Tempest. Tempest quickly sidestepped to avoid the blast. Tempest charged her head on. LIke a raging bull Tempest lowered her head, horn sparking with clear magic and made a beeline towards Trixie.

Trixie was ready. Reaching under her cape she pulled out tiny black pellets. She threw the palette on the ground creating a cloud of smoke that blinded Tempest. Not wanting to charge in blind Tempest stopped her advice and tried to see through the smoke screen. Unable to she charged her horn and with a powerful blast of raw magic she blasted the ground point blank. The resulting effect caused a close burst explosion around her that eradicated the smoke revealing Trixie a few feet away.

Starlight stomped the ground from behind her. “Trixie! That was underhanded even for you!” Starlight scolded her friend. “You don’t just attack like that during a magic duel!”

“Don’t worry! Trixie’s got this!” Trixie said casually. “Watch this!”

Tempest eyed the unicorn weary. She was up to something. Tempest had to be ready. Her armor would protect her,  but she didn’t want to take any chances with this one. She didn’t get to be the right hand of the Storm King by being easy to beat in fight. Tempest ran around Trixie and right past Maud and Starlight. As she passed by, Maud took a look down at Tempest’s armor. She narrowed her eyes as the moonlight reflected off it. The sparks from Tempest’s horn surged around her as she circled around Trixie, but what Maud was more interested in was the armor and how the magic interacted with it.

Maud watched as Tempest leaped in the air and spun like a wheel. Her hind legs swung overhead as she spun twice and down into the ground to try and slam on Trixie’s head. Trixie saw that come but barely had enough time to jump aside to narrowly miss being hit. Tempest’s hooves impacted the ground with enough force to kick up the dust around her. Not bothering to aim, Trixie shot a quick magical beam of Tempest straight in the chest and sent her skidding back several feet away. Trixie smirked at her small victory.

“Nice hit Trixie!” Starlight cheered from the sideline.

“Aww, it was nothing Trixie couldn’t handle. This poor pony has no idea what she’s dealing with!” Trixie bloated with a maniacal laugh.

However, Tempest smiled at this little exchange. They have no idea. Not giving Trixie a chance to recover Tempest charged again. This time she powered her horn with enough magical energy to vaporize an entire airship. And she planned to use it on Trixie. She wanted to see just how well the great and powerful unicorn could stand up to real power with her parlor tricks. The energy was practically bleeding from her shattered horn as she charged at Trixie, who didn’t seem to realize she was in for a world of hurt. The blue energy oozing out from the open pore ran across her armor and slid off like water would to a duck's back.

Maud seemed to notice and nudge Starlight’s side. Starlight leaned over towards Maud trying not to take her eyes off the duel.

“What’s wrong Maud?” She asked her friend.

“Trixie can’t win.”

Starlight tilted her head in confusion. “What? What do you mean she can’t win?”

“Teleportation spell go!”

Starlight looked back to see Trixie disappear in a flash of light only to reappear behind Tempest. Tempest kicked up a large rock by stomping the ground and roundhouse kicked it back at Trixie. Once more Trixie teleported away from it. This time Tempest was in the air and ready to put the hurt on her. Trixie quickly sidestepped to avoid another spinning drop kick. Thinking fast Trixie pulled out a long piece of tinsel.

She twirled it around like a spiral and with her magic she broke it apart and blew it into Tempest's eyes blinding her mid kick. Tempest cursed at the unicorn as she clumsily flew into the ground as pain shot through her eyes.

“Damn you, Boysenberry! I will end you!!”


“Ha ha! You’ll never catch the elusive Trixie!”


Starlight quirked her brow at Maud.

“I don’t get it.”

Maud nodded towards the two unicorns with dull interest.

“Watch this.”

Now Maud and Starlight were watching as Tempest removed the title from her eyes, and tried many many more times to catch Trixie, but failed every time. Trixie’s teleportation was spot on to a fault. Now however after many attempts she was magically exhausting herself. She’d planned to bore Tempest into submission and win the duel by default. However, Tempest proved to be more stubborn than Trixie remembered, and it was starting to show. It was at this time Trixie decided to take more drastic measures.

Tempest was hard to hit but not impossible to hit. So she planned on ending this with one spell. Trixie poured a good amount of her own mana into her horn ready to cast arguably her most powerful spell. A spell by its very nature could render Tempest null and seal her victory in this duel. She just had to wait for her chance to fire. She’d only get one shot and with as much mana she spent, not that she had much, she would be practically defenseless.

She waited for Tempest to charge again. When she did Trixie prepared her spell, but first, she reached under her cape and pulled out a length of rope, but kept it hidden under her cape. Tempest charged her bullhead like and Trixie repeated back dropping a length of the rope as she dodged. She repeated the same thing several more times working herself in a circle around where Tempest was charging. The rope was now in a large spiral around them and Trixie was nearing the end of it.

The whole time Tempest was wondering what was going on. Why was she throwing the rope out and not doing anything with it? Was she trying to throw her off? No, there had to be more to it than that.

Unfortunately, she was so focused on catching Trixie she didn’t realize her plan until it was in motion. Literally.

After Trixie dropped the end of the rope she teleported to the center to draw Tempest in. Tempest fell right in the center with a mighty jump and pounded her hooves on the ground as Trixie teleported away once more. This time however, the ropes came to life and slithered around Tempest's legs and body ensuring her around her hooves. Trixie grinned seeing her trap worked and used her magic to lift tempest in the air and dangled her from her hooves like a pinata. At first, Tempest struggled but soon came to realize she was indeed trapped. She growled in frustration for not seeing this insanely stupid, and simple trap. So, she resides to her fate. For now.

“Well played Boysenberry. Well played,’ She said dully.

“Indeed,” Trixie agreed, nodding narcissistically.

“I wasn’t complimenting you,’ Tempest growled.

“Well, it doesn’t matter! Trixie will no unveil her most powerful spell! Even you will be defenseless against its might!”

Trixie stood up on her hind legs yelling in a dramatic fashion while pointing her hoof at Tempest. Tempest rolled her eyes and sighed as Trixie laughed again.

“Ha, time to end our little game! Trixie’s got a show to do tomorrow and she doesn’t want to be late! Now, observe as Trixie unleashes her most powerful spell and-”

“We get it you narcissistic jackwagon! Just do it already!!!” Tempest yelled startling Trixie mid-sentence.

“That was rude!” Trixie sniped back. “But, very well. If you want to lose so badly then Trixie will oblige you. Face it you never stood a chance against a unicorn with a full functional horn.”

From behind her Starlight scowled at her blue friend which Trixie was completely oblivious to. With that, she powered her horn and spun around on her back legs to twirl around. Her cape mane and tail spun with her in a pink magical coating from Trixie’s horn. When she stopped she pointed her horn down at Tempest and fired a clear white beam from her horn at Tempest's chest. Maud and Starlight watched as the magic slid right off Tempest and around her like she was protected by some sort of magical barrier. The force from the spell was enough to push the bound Tempest slightly back slightly.

When the spell was exhausted and the light from it dissipated Trixie stood triumphantly. She was then shocked to see Tempest was unharmed and in her haste she released the broken horned unicorn from her binds. Starlight was shocked by that and so was Trixie. Maud remained flat faced.

“I told you it wouldn’t work,” Maud said looking past Trixie.

“What? Why not?” Both Trixie and Starlight asked simultaneously.

“That armor she’s wearing is Element 676,” Maud explained pointing at Tempest. “That armor is made from element 676. It’s a rare form of isotopic iron that has powerful anti-magical properties.”

“Why didn’t you say anything earlier!?!” Trixie yelled back at the earth pony. “Because of that misinformation, I cast a powerful transfiguration spell for nothing!”

In that moment a long pregnant silence filled the area around the group of four ponies. Tempest felt what little respect she had for Trixie slowly withering away. Starlight looks slightly miffed herself, as she stomped her hooves down and glared at Trixie.

“Trix, are you serious?! I taught you several spells! Why did you resort to that!?” Starlight yelled at her friend. “What good would that do?! It doesn’t work on living things!”

“Oh, so now you tell Trixie that! This is the map all over again! You really should tell Trixie these things before hoof, Starlight,” Trixie said with a annoyed tone.

“I did! You just never listen!” Starlight fumed.

Maud listening to the whole time tugged at Starlight’s side to get her attention then asked, “What was Trixie trying to do?”

“She was trying to turn that pony into a teacup.” Starlight relied dryly.

“. . . You’re kidding right?” Tempest asked, her ears twitching with fury at Trixie.

Trixie tried to play it off like it was nothing and all it did was serve to make Tempest even angrier. That was the last straw. Tempest was done playing nice pony. It was time to put the hurt down and stop playing around.

With a powerful surge from her horn, Tempest shot a deadly power bolt at Trixie. The bolt struck where Trixie was resulting in a massive explosion that created a huge dirt cloud that spewed all over the immediate area. When the flying debris settled there was a good two-meter wide crater where Trixie was but no sign of the pony. To Tempest’s surprise, there was no sign of Starlight ether. Until a moment later the two missing ponies reappeared in a bright flash of light next to Maud. both Unicorns were battered, cut, and dirty, but Trixie was worse off.

The azure unicorn slumped over barely awake after the attack, and even Starlight looked like the blow had done a number on her. Tempest charged her broken horn again and aimed at Starlight and Trixie, but Maud stepped between them and stood firmly between her friends and Tempest.

The action alone was enough to throw Tempest off slightly, but at the same time, she couldn’t bring herself to fire her magic on the earth pony. Tempest felt her heart beating faster as Maud stood between her and their quarry. Feelings aside she stepped forward until she was face to face with Maud only inches apart from her. Her horn sizzling with electric power that danced around her head like a sparkling crown, and Tempest gave Maud a heated glare, despite her racing heart.

“I warn you now pony. Step aside and let me finish with Trixie and you three can leave afterward,” Tempest said with a low growl in her voice.

Maud simply stood in place and made no sign that she was ready to move.

“Last chance. Step aside or else.”

Maud shook her head definitely. “No, you leave Trixie alone. She’s no match for you. Instead, I’ll fight you.”
> Duel Under the Stars: (Rock Beats All)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tempest’s lip curled.

She was truly amazed by Maud’s challenge. It wasn’t often she got a challenge she was looking forward too. Tempest had to admit she was intrigued by Maud’s physical prowess, and she was looking forward to fighting the earth pony. She wanted to see what this pony was made of. Now, she would get her chance.

Trixie was now away with Starlight at the side leaving Maud to fight Tempest alone. Though Tempest was still mad at Trixie, she was willing to overlook her anger to focus on her new challenger. The stoic Maud seemed unusually calm for a pony getting ready to fight. In all honesty, it made Tempest feel a bit uneasy. She shrugged it off and tried to focus on the fight ahead. Tempest lowered her posture like a lioness preparing to attack. Maud simply stood in place looking unimpressed.

That really threw Tempest off.

Ignoring that fact Tempest decided to wait no longer. She charged forward rushing Maud intending to either plow into her or make Muad dodge in which she would sideswipe her. What Tempest didn’t expect was the pebble. As Tempest rushed Maud stepped to the side as Tempest planned. Swinging low Tempest side kicked at Maud’s legs. With the agility of a cheetah, Maud jumped in the air and completely dodged the attack.

Tempest frowned at the mare as she spun her legs upwards, and spun on her back like a breakdancer would. The effect made her body spin upwards with enough momentum to lift her off the ground and she forced her weight to the side and effectively rolled in the air to her hooves.

She panted slightly, and trailed of sweat ran down her brow and her very breath steamed up in the cold night. She couldn't help, but let out a chuckle. Maud blinked blankly at her not moving otherwise.

“You’re a very patient pony,” she said to Maud. “I can see you’re very calculating. Patient. Precise. I admire that.”

Tempest charged Maud again. This time she leaped into the air and tried to roundhouse kick in the side of the head. Maud was quick to react and managed to block the attack and pushed Tempest back sending her spiraling to the ground. However, Tempest was able to land on her side and use her momentum to try and swipe at Maud's legs trying to trip her. Maud wasn’t able to move out of the way and was tripped by the low kick. Tempest followed up with a mighty punch at Maud’s stomach. Maud managed to roll to the side and recover as Tempest buried her hoof a foot deep in the soft earth. Growling she freed her hoof and glared at Maud.

Trixie and Starlight cheered for Maud in the background. Maud made no indication she heard them; not even a nod.

Tempest was tired of this and was ready to end it. She shifted her weight and flicked her hip to the left until she heard a loud clicking noise. She grinned and began to circle Maud who wasn’t bothering to follow her. She simply turned her head to follow Tempest until she was out of sight behind her. Even then Tempest wasn’t out of her sight’ so to speak. Maud’s ear homed in on the sound of Tempest's heavy armored hoof steps. They told her she didn't’ stop walking and was continuing to circle her. The very earth resonated with Maud in ways that even Applejack couldn’t comprehend. Maud was one with the earth beneath her hooves. So, when Tempest charged from behind and the resonating stopped that was the red light that she was no longer grounded.

Slowly Maud turned to look up and sure enough, Tempest was in the air. The unicorn was spinning forward like a wheel, a long rope reached out with a three-fingered claw. The rope was attached to Tempest's left hip where, under her armor plate, was a small crank that could draw the rope was housed. The claw snapped at Maud’s hooves and tensed up between the two ponies. The small crank started cranking as Tempest started to descend to the ground. However, before she was even halfway to the ground Maud took hold of the rope with both her hooves and yanked it as hard as she could.

Tempest suddenly found herself being pulled like a rocket towards Maud. Tempest felt her heart race as in the blink of an eye she was in front of Maud and was punched full force in her unprotected gut. The force of the punch was so strong that Tempest was sent flying back into a nearby tree and split it in two. Tempest herself kept going, bouncing off the ground several times before skidding to a fault. Completely winded she gasped for air while trying to get up but felt her body was on the verge of giving in.

Then suddenly the moonlight was blocked out as a large chunk of earth was lobbed at her. She cursed a profanity before being crushed under the chunk of earth with a loud ground shaking thoom, leaving only her exposed tail poking out from behind. Not far Maud stared at the small hunk of dirt she threw and her two unicorn friends gasped in horror at what she’d done. Starlight was the first to catch her voice.

“MAUD! WHY DID YOU DO THAT!?” Starlight exclaimed shaking the earth pony wildly.

“What’s wrong?” Maud asked.

Trixie came up beside them, gasping and dancing on her tip hooves like she was trying to decide if she should flee or stay to help. Starlight gestured to the large earth pile Maud threw. It had to be well over a hundred pounds considering how big it was.

‘Maud! You killed that pony! You don’t do that to ponies! What were you thinking?!”

Maud shrugged. “I think she could handle it.”

“What?! Why would you think that?!” Starlight bellowed.

As if to answer her the hunk of earth began to glow. Suddenly it erupted into a bright ball of raw magical lighting. The sheer power behind the attack completely obliterated the dirt. Whips of lighting and magic spiraled around where Tempest was crackling and booming as they violently whipped around like tendrils. Starlight jumped in front of Maud erecting a magical shield spell, while simultaneously pulling Trixie into it. The shield repealed the magical discharge from tempest but cracked under the raw power it presented.

For several seconds this light show went on until slowly dying down and leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. A few seconds of quite past and the only sound all around was the sound of dirt and rock settling on the ground form the air.

Once the dust settled Tempest stood in a partial crater under her hooves. Starlight and Trixie stared in awe at the unicorn who they thought was dead, but very much alive.

Her armor dented and battered, tempest panted heavily and collapsed onto her belly. She rested her chin on the ground and simply stayed there. Maud walked past her friends and made her way right up to Tempest. Then very slowly Maud crouched and rested her body on the ground keeping level with tempest by resting her chin on the ground as well.

“Are you good?” She asked Tempest.

Tempest chuckled weakly. “Yeah, *Pant* *Pant* I’m good. You’re good too. I’m impressed.”

Maud curled her mouth slightly at the compliment. “You are too. You just didn’t think I was capable of standing up against you.”

Tempest barked out a laugh and gasped as she coughed out some dirt from her dry throat.

“Heh, I honestly didn’t. Mark my words you will be beaten next time. I won’t take this defeat lying down,” Tempest said with a hint of cheer in her voice.

“But you’re on the ground now,” Maud replied flatly.

Tempest scoff sideways. “I don’t me literally I just- ugh, nevermind. The point is I want a rematch. Will you accept my challenge for a future match?”

Maud tilted her head slightly to the side. “Does this make us friends?”

Tempest did consider outright saying yes, but she was too sore in her body and ego to allow herself to say it. So she compromised.

“I won’t say we’re friends, but acquaintances,” She stood up slowly, her legs shaking under her. “Look, I’m willing to be friends, but it’ll take more than one fight to make us friends.”

Maud stood up and walked back to Starlight and Trixie before glancing back at Tempest. “How about lunch tomorrow?”

“What? You threw a huge mass of the land at me, crushed me, and you want to have lunch together tomorrow?” Tempest asked sarcastically.

Maud blinked slowly. “Yes.”

Tempest sighed turning to limp away. “Whatever, fine.”

With what little pride she had left Maud walked away and headed home. Her body ached and her mind was numb from the utter defeat she had just been handed to herself. Then again, that Maud was strong. That on its own deserved praise. Perhaps she and Maud might get along well, maybe even the other unicorn. Trixie though? Not a chance. It would take more than this to make Tempest give in and become friends with that arrogant lout again.

As Tempest made her way over a hill she glanced back to see the three ponies gathering their belongings and made camp for the night. She herself was ready to hit the hay as well. Stumbling home tempest's aching body groaned with her armor which was battered and dented all over. The long walk home was boring and just as tiring. Tempest felt many times like her legs would give in at any moment. However, she powered through it and eventually made her way back home. The moon was at its zenith and the skies were clear giving a eerie calming glow across the land of Equestria.

In her home once again Tempest lazily dragged herself upstairs to her room. Once inside her childhood sanctuary, she very lazily discarded her armor to the corner and her rashguard. Covered in dirt, scratches, and dents the armor lay under the moonlight from the window across the room.

Tempest herself now free from the armor threw herself onto the bed and landed on her fluffy chest. Her chin hitting the pillow left her feeling content. With a relaxing sigh from the comforting pillow and plush blankets, she slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to a deep sleep.
> With Morning Comes Close family
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Early in the morning, the sun rose over the small village where Tempest lived. In her home, in her comfy bed, Tempest was sleeping under a thick blanket her mother left on her late in the previous evening. The unicorn rolled over on her bed snuggled happily in the blanket consent to getting some more sleep before waking up to start the morning chores. Then suddenly, from underneath her, there was a muffled scream. Something began thrashing at her back and it was very uncomfortable.

Tempest's eyes shot open with mild irritation. She threw off the blanket to the floor and lifted herself up from the bed. There was a dramatic gasp as Berry Pinch came into view. In her grumpy mood Tempest didn’t register who it was and thought the filly was nothing more than one of her stuffed animals that her mother left with her. Grumbling the mare nudged the filly off the bed with her nose. She then reached down grabbed the blanket and curled up in bed to sleep again completely unaware of her cold niece.

On the floor, Bery Pinch grumbled at Tempest for throwing her on the floor. She was cold and was sure she’d freeze to death if she didn’t find some warmth soon. Shivering she jumped up onto the bed. Her lower half didn’t quite make it up and she had to try many times to get her backside on the bed. Her efforts were rewarded when she finally reached the top of the bed and crawled over the large breathing lump. Careful not to wake Tempest She fully managed to work her way to the front of the bed where she saw par to Tempest's mane sticking out from beneath the comfy blanket with  the broken tip of her horn also sticking out, Pinch followed the mane and wriggled under the blanket much like a cat or dog would squeeze under a fence to escape.

She did so but was unaware that she had awoken Tempest as soon as she began moving over her from the start. Tempest, now aware of what was going on lifted the blanket to allow the filly safe passage under the blanket. The bone shivering cold was melted away as Berry Pinch snuggled up against Tempest under the blanket. Her tiny head poked out from under and nestled itself on the pillow. Her muzzle only inches from Tempest, Pinch let out a tired yawn forcing a wet sleep tear to drop down her face. Once it was out she smiled with closed eyes and scooted closer to Tempest and pressed her body against the warmer older mare.

Tempest rolled her eyes, but she allowed this violation of personal space. The night was very cold. She could spare some of her dignity to sleep with her niece.

*Ka-click!*

“Grrrrrrrrrr.”

Tempest opened one eye with so much contempt it could have burned a hole into the ponies above her. Her parents and Aunt Berry had gathered around her and Pinch with a camera in her Aunt’s magical aura. The clicking was no doubt the camera catching the tender moment between Tempest and Pinch. A few moments later a picture was produced from the camera and after the image came to focus showed Tempest snuggled with Pinch with her. The parents awww’ed once again, but a low snarl from Tempest gave them all the warning they needed. Chuckling gently to try and not wake the filly as the parents left the room, but not before Tempest received three kisses to the cheek from the mother, father, and then her aunt.

When her parents left her aunt remained behind. The older mare smiled and took the photo and placed it on the nightstand by the bed for Tempest to see. At first, the younger unicorn mumbled but she couldn’t help but curl her lip at the photo of her and Pinch together.

Berry Punch gently fluffed Tempest's neon pink mane smiling at her.

“I’m so proud of you my little grapevine,” She said to Tempest. “Thank you for being so kind to my filly. She needs friends and family like you.”

Tempest sighed nuzzling the filly. She then wrapped her arms around Pinch and pulled her close allowing her head to rest on her fluffy chest. To both their surprises Pinch giggled and nuzzled against Tempest's chest before letting out a loud snore. Tempest felt her heart melt, her cheeks burned, and she felt very self-conscious about her aunt seeing her like this. Berry Punch seemed to sense her niece's distress and pet her mane gently. This simple act made Tempest relax. Oh, how I missed this. She thought. This is what it’s like to be loved. I can’t believe I ran away from all this. Well, never again. She declared mentally closing her eyes once more.

Berry Punch chuckled and turned to leave. As she exited the room and closed the door a soft barely audible voice said, “I love you, Auntie.” The words resonated with her. Her heart ached and filled with pride. Her eyes welled up with tears as she quickly glanced back in to see Tempest staring at her with the kindest smile she’d ever received from her. In that moment there was a spark between them.

An emotional bond had finally formed and solidified itself. She had earned her nieces respect, and it would only flourish as long as it was nurtured. Of course that would still take time and for now, Berry Punch allowed her two precious fillies to rest. She wiped her tears away and closed the door behind her to allow Tempest and Pinch to rest a bit longer under the warmth of each other's embrace.

Downstairs Berry Punch walked into the living room where her sister and brother in law were with three guests. Maud, Starlight, and Trixie. She took a seat next to her sister and nodded to her.

“Well, it seems Fizzlepop is still tired from last night,” Chardonnay said.

“Yeah, what did you all do last night?” Berry Punch asked the three mares.

Starlight and Trixie gave each other worried glances, but Maud in her stoic way gave a simple response.

“We were bonding as friends,” Maud said, as a tiny smile crept on her lips.
> Bright Mornings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Late in the afternoon, Tempest awoke with a loud yawn. She stretched her arms and legs out feeling the bones and joints in them crack loose. Her movements startled Berry Pinch awake who nearly jumped feeling the mare nearly roll over her again. Pinch grumbled and glared up at Tempest.

“You almost sat on me again!” She pouted. “Why do you sleep on such a small bed anyways?”

Tempest, now fully awake glanced down at the filly from the corner of her eye. “It’s my old bed from when I was your age. It fits me still and If you don’t like it you can sleep on the floor,” She suggested with a joking tone.

Pinch gasped at Tempest.

“But the floors hard, and cold! Why would you make me do that?” She asked standing on her back legs and shook the older mare.

“Yeah, you’re right. That'd be a waste,” Tempest said tapping.

She then rolled over and grabbed hold of Pinch, who tried to turn to run away but was scooped up. The poor filly then felt Tempest lay her chin on her back using her as a small pillow. Pinch kicked and flailed her arms and legs trying to get free. Her face was scrunched up and her eyes shut tightly as her vain struggle continued. Tempest chuckled and “fluffed” her pillow making Pinch squeal.

In her panic Berry Pinch magically lifted a pillow over Tempest and tried hitting her with it. The pillow uselessly bounced off Tempest, much to her amusement. She loved watching the filly struggle to break free. Feeling like the filly struggled enough Tempest set her free, and the poor filly dashed away with her freedom and fled out of the door. She followed Pinch out the door as they went downstairs together. Pinch  rode on Tempest's back as they descended. Once down they were met with many morning greetings.

Tempest was relieved to see that Trixie wasn’t here, but neither was Starlight or Maud. Truthfully she wanted to see Maud again to gage her in a normal conversation, but at the same time she didn’t want to see Trixie. It was a win-lose situation no matter how she looked at it. Then again that also meant she didn’t have to deal with the annoying mare.

Thankfully she didn’t have to worry about that until much later in the day. Berry Punch took Pinch off Tempest and placed the now fully awake filly on the ground. Chardonnay and Merlot walked over to her and nuzzled her from each side.

“Morning mom, Dad,” Tempest greeted them.

“Morning kiddo,” Merlot replied.

“Morning honey,” Chardonnay added. “Oh, I hope you’re hungry! I made pancakes and croissants.”

Tempest suddenly felt her mouth water, and her stomach growl. Indeed the thought of buttered croissants was quite enticing to her. She loved to smother things in butter, and her mother’s sweetened croissants went best with a layer of butter.

“Mmmmmm. I can’t wait!” Tempest chirped happily, trotting into the dining room with her family close behind.

Even Pinch was scampering like an excited dog. She wiggled her rump and tail as she leaped into her seat, picking a spot near Tempest and her mother. Tempest, of course, didn’t mind. She liked her niece for her energetic and playful personality. She was cute too, so that was a bonus. Tempest found it growingly harder and harder to say no to Pinch. Especially when she put on her secret weapon, the bug-eyed puppy dog pout.

The scent of breakfast soon overcame her and she was entranced by the aroma of the food. She sniffed the air following a plate full of food as her mother placed it in the center of the table. Tempest wiped her jaw quickly before she drooled on the table. There sitting before her was the golden brown buttery goodness she craved. Brown sugar croissants. Her mother's special recipe, and one she’d been looking forward to since she got back home. Tempest’s first instinct was to reach for the croissants, but she steadied her hoof.

She quickly pulled back as her aunt and mother eyed her. She chuckled nervously as her father tried his luck while the two mares were distracted. His hoof was intercepted by his wife's hoof with a force swat. Chardonnay and Berry Punch both glared at him then back at Tempest.

“You are definitely your father’s daughter,” Chardonnay said to Tempest, before glancing back at Merlot.

The poor stallion whistled innocently like he did nothing wrong. Both he and Tempest lowered their heads submissive to the two mares, while Pinch chuckled and waited. A minute later he family gave a prayer and the food was served. It wasn’t long into breakfast that Berry Punch and Chardonnay noticed Tempest wasn’t eating as much as they expected.

The younger mare was tenderly nursing her food with tiny nibbles here and there.

“Is something wrong with the food sweetie?” Chardonnay asked looking at her daughter’s plate.

Tempest shook her head eating a small bite of hay bacon.

“No, mother. The foods great but I’m gonna eat lunch with my friends. I wasn’t expecting to sleep in this late,” She said softly. “In fact, if you don’t mind I’m gonna leave now and go meet them. Sorry, mom.”

“Oh, Fizzlepop-”

“Mom, please? My name is Tempest now.”

Chardonnay rolled her eyes waving for Tempest to come closer. She did. Chardonnay reached over and hugged her daughter and kissed her cheek lovingly before releasing her.

“Don’t stay out too late this time. Dinner is at seven.”

Tempest silently nodded and leaned over to kiss her mother’s cheek. She felt her cheeks burn over the show of affection, but her mother didn’t seem to mind. She walked over and did the same with her father, and nuzzled Pinch. The filly giggled and that left only Berry Punch who had remained still the whole time. The two met eye to eye and there was a long awkward pause. Berry Punch eventually smiled and gestured with her head for Tempest to go. It wasn’t a hostile gesture like, ‘get out of here’, but more like a, ‘I understand you’re embarrassed’ kind of way. Tempest felt relieved that her aunt understood, but she still leaned down and kissed her aunt's cheek before turning to go upstairs to shower.

“Don’t you dare wear that armor of yours to lunch young lady!” Her mother called up.

“Ugh, yes mother! Fricking tyrant. . .” She muttered lowly to not be heard.

“I heard that! Remember this tyrant owns the house!” Tempest heard her mother says in her sing-song voice.

Tempest then decided to keep quiet as she struts to the bathroom. She took a long ten-minute shower feeling relaxed in the hot water. She took a bottle of shampoo and really worked the soap into her fur. She didn't want to look like a slob when she went to meet her friends. It was so odd thinking of them as friends. She hated Trixie, she at least respected Maud, and Starlight seems alright. Though she really thought of them more as acquaintances at best. Still, she hoped today would prove to be more relaxing than the previous night. Feeling sufficiently clean Tempest turned off the shower and reached out the door to grab her towel. After drying herself she got out and prepared her mane, which took her a minute. Her mane was surprisingly stiff when dry and always stood up on its own. No gel required. It was something she liked about her mane, although she did need to trim it down a bit. That could wait for now she had to decide what to wear.

To her dismay, her mother was already inside her room picking outfit after outfit from her own wardrobe for Tempest to wear. Never had Tempest seen so many gaudy, girl, and outright disturbing things. The first thing she saw her mother holding was a cheerleader outfit. She didn’t remember her mother ever having that before. The middle-aged mare was inspecting several pieces of clothing the likes of which Tempest would never wear. There were parkas of all colors, boots, dress shirts, ties, and many frilly dresses of all shapes and sizes. Some were small sleek and petite, while others were large to the point of absurdity.

When she realized her mother stopped in a pink frilly dress she immediately stepped beside her mother and gave a flat stare.

“Absolutely not.”

“Oh, come on sweetie! You need to get in touch with your feminine side! Besides its cute! You want to impress the stallions don’t you?” Chardonnay added seductively and wiggling her rump slightly.

Tempest suddenly felt glad she didn’t eat much. “Ugh, mom!”

“What?”


“Just, no! First off I’m not hooking up! Second, my friends are mares!”

Chardonnay tilted her head slightly placing the dress on the bed.

“So? Aren’t you trying to impress one of them?” She asked bluntly.

“ Dad! Make mom go away!!”

Of course, Merlot didn’t respond, nor did he come to his daughter's aid. Instead, Chardonnay simply sighs and slouched over the clothing she selected.

“Oh, sweetie, why don’t you want to look nice for once?” She asked Tempest. “I went through a lot of trouble to get these all out and washed for you. You could at least wear something other than that drab armor.” Her mother did her best to show off a pout hoping Tempest would feel bad. Now, Tempest wasn’t one to let others decide things for her. She was an independent mare, but her mother's wide eyes and the fact she ran away from home made her feel slightly bad for what she’d said. Resigning to her fate she lifted one of the

“Okay, fine I’ll wear this! To make you stop.”

Immediately Chardonnay perked up and squeed. She was pleased to see that Tempest picked a dress, albeit an old and plain grey one, but a dress no less. Tempest slipped the dress on and looked herself over in the mirror. The dress was simple enough for her. Sleek, hung over one shoulder by a strap, hung low on the back and had three layers to it with a calico frill near the bottom of each layer.

It wasn’t something that matched with Tempest well, but it would suffice. She turned to her mother, who had a twinkle in her eyes.

“Don’t get used to it,” Tempest said leaving the room.

She ignored the flashes of light indicating her mother was taking photos of her again. She just allowed the photos to be taken while her father chided her mother. ‘Leave her alone honey’ she heard him say. ‘But she never wore anything like that as a filly either!’ Her mother replied to her father.

She loved them so dearly but family was a piece of work.

“Are you going to see Maud again?”

“Huh?” Tempest nearly jumped out of her skin when a high squeaky voice called up to her. She glanced down to find Pinch. The filly was so small she was walking between Tempest's hooves and she didn’t even notice.

“Yes, I’m going to see Maud, and Starlight and the bit-I mean Trixie!”

“Oh! Can I come too?!” Pinch asked excitedly hopping around.

Berry Punch walked behind Pinch and lifted her up with two hooves. “Sorry kiddo but you can’t. You’re grounded still.”

“Awww!”

With Pinch on her back, Berry Punch nuzzled Tempest affectionate. Tempest hesitated at first but eventually found the courage to nuzzle her aunt back. Tempest said goodbye and was off to the town.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*In Town a few minutes later*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tempest walked down a long street through the center of town. She went to the shopping area which was side by side with the town farmers market. She glanced around to see many more cobblestone buildings had been built since she left. All of them built like spiders with odd curves in the roofs.

Ponies frolicked around, and fillies and colts played in the streets. She was passing by her old school when she heard the lunch bell ring. A stampede of colts and fillies rushed out of the schoolhouse and into the playground. Some immediately went to play, others sat in small groups and ate. It surprised her to see that no one sat alone Unlike she did growing up. She thought back to the day she first met Trixie back in school and how much things had changed.

Back in her early foal hood, Tempest was a small petite pony even by foal standards. She was born underweight very early, almost two months early. The doctors didn’t expect her to survive but she did. In fact, she thrived.

That didn’t stop her from being bullied. Though very skilled with magic, she never got her cutie mark in magic. Even now here she was a blank flank longer than anyone in the whole town. She watched the young ponies go about during their lunch break when an old mare popped out form the schoolhouse. She was a middle-aged mare, light tan with white hooves and a white snout, offset by her dark orange and brown mane. Her mane was tied up into two buns and her bangs were long and hung off her face. Her name was Amber Spirits. She was a Saddle Arabian pony, not to be confused with a Arabian horse though she shared similar traits. She was tall but far thicker than her full-blooded Saddle Arabian counterparts; and though she was well over forty she still managed to look no older than thirty, despite being a little pudgy in the belly.

Tempest was jealous of her. She had no doubt that mare would no doubt still look very attractive well into her sixties.

Amber Spirits noticed Tempest and waved to her before turning back to the children. She then did a double take and glanced at Tempest. She squinted her eyes as if trying to scan Tempest to her finest detail. It wasn’t long before she placed her hooves over her mouth and gasped. She then rushed towards Tempest barely missing the foals around her as she ran straight up to the mare and lifted her into a bear hug around her petite waist.

Tempest gasped feeling her stomach and spine near their breaking points. She fought back the instinct to zap Amber Spirits, but still kicked and flailed in her arms.

“Fizzlepop! Oh, I thought it was you! Where have you been?!” She asked swirling Tempest around.

“Gah! Spirit’s put me down this instant!”

“Oh, you! You’re such a grouch! But enough of that! Where have you been all this time? How are you? Why did you come back after all this time without sending word?”

“Spirits! Calm down!”

Hearing Tempest yell at her brought Amber Spirits out of her happy gushing. She put the mare down and gave her a sheepish apology.

“Heh, sorry dear. It’s just so good to see you again. When you disappeared your family and I was so worried!”

Tempest couldn’t help but smile at Amber Spirit’s infectious glee.

“Yeah, a lot happened and I wasn’t really thinking. I’m just glad to be home again,” Tempest said to Amber Spirits. “How’s Cynthia doing?”

Ember Spirit’s mood suddenly turned sour as she groaned loudly, and slouched forward a bit. “Ugh, that mate of mine is ridiculous! She spends all her free time with the DJ PON-3 from Ponyville and barely spends time with me anymore. I swear she likes them young.”

“I’m sorry, what was that?’ Tempest twitched her ear not hearing the last part.

Amber Spirits, blushed realizing she’d just said that out loud. She quickly tried to come up with something, but failed to do so without making it obvious she was trying to cover up what she said. Tempest could tell. The mare had certain twitches, she stroked her bangs, her bun tail twitched, and her jaw was clenched on the left side. As much as Tempest wanted to continue to tease her old teacher she had to find her friends.

“Amber Spirits, it was good to see you again, but by chance have you seen Boysenberry around?” Tempest asked the question not even realizing she’d called Trixie by her original name.

“Oh? You and Boysenberry made up? That’s great news! I actually saw her and her friends going to that StarBucks place down the street. It’s good she’s back. You know, when you disappeared she left to go find you!” Amber Spirits said cheerfully.

That made Tempest pause. “She went looking for me? Why?”

Amber Spirits gave her the oddest look like she missed the most obvious thing in the world. She crossed her left leg over her right and leaned against a nearby wooden fence that surrounded the playground.

“Because she thought you were friends?” Amber Spirits hinted.

That was something she didn’t expect to hear. From what Tempest had gathered she thought Trixie had left town to pursue her career as a stage magician. Her parents seemed to think so. Were they wrong? No, that wasn’t possible. Trixie thought only of Trixie and nothing in the universe could change that.

It changed you.

Stupid conscience trying to tell me how to live my life. Tempest hated it when her brain worked against her with logic. She knew it was true though. She went from an evil right hand of a tyrant king, to where she was now. If she could change then shouldn't Trixie be able to change too?

“I guess you’re right,” She mumbled to herself.

“Of course I’m right! I raised you two in my class after all. I know you two better than most!” Amber Spirits said with a cheerful smile.

Tempest smiled back still feeling a bit uneasy. She couldn’t help but cling to the past and what Trixie had done to her. Yet, she couldn’t deny Amber or her minds logic. If she could change then Trixie could. It was that simple. Then it struck her she vaguely remembered the name Starlight in a conversation with Princess Twilight and how she used to do bad things, but she couldn't for the life of her remember what it was.

The ringing of the recess bell startled her from her thoughts as the children, without being told, lined up outside the door to the schoolhouse. Amber Spirits locked onto the children with pride. Tempest chuckled at the single file line, forgetting her woes.

“Still holding the class with an iron hoof, Amber?” Tempest asked casually looking over the line.

Amber Spirits giggled nervously at Tempest’s jab. “You know it! Come along class! Back inside today we’re learning long division!”

A collective series of groans and complaining ensued to which the mare herded the class back inside, never losing her smile in the slightest. Tempest shook her head, that mare no matter how old she was never lost her youthful spring in her step. Her marefriend Cynthia was far worse though. That mare was the same age as Amber Spirits but had far more in common with a twenty-year-old stallion. Not that it was a bad thing entirely. Having some diversity and occasional conflict was supposedly healthy for a stable relationship. As long as all parties listened and tried to understand one another.

Which brought Tempest her current dilemma. How should she handle Trixie? The mare nearly got her killed, she lost her horn and magic because of her negligence, and it destroyed their friendship. What should she do? Trixie made no attempt to apologize, so why should she? Then she remembered Twilight gave her some advice, or rather a hint to how to deal with situations like this. ‘It takes a big pony to admit they’re wrong, it takes an even bigger pony to apologize first especially when they weren’t in the wrong.’ Had the Princess somehow foreseen this meeting? Was she some all-powerful magic wielding Princess that could see into the future with a wave of her magic? Tempest wasn’t sure of it, but the advice and how it lined up with Trixie was too coincidental. She had to have had some foresight. Tempest thought.

“She truly is the Princess of Friendship.”

Yes, that was it. She was just that good at what she did. Student of friendship graduated and became Princess of friendship. Yes, that was it. Twilight was just that good. She stared up at the sky allowing the thoughts to drift onto the purple Princess.


Oh, Tempest! I’m so glad you made up with Trixie!” Twilight gleefully skipped like a deer up to Tempest, nuzzling her.

“Yeah, I am pretty amazing, forgiving, and generous, but I wouldn’t have gotten there if it weren’t for you, Princess,” Tempest said softly caressing Twilight’s cheek.

Both mares stared deeply into each other's eyes. Their cheeks blushing as their hooves slowly rubbed against one another. Twilight looked longingly into Tempest Shadow’s large teal eyes. They called to her and desired her immensely. They slowly leaned closer and closer until their noses touched.

“Fizzlepop.” Twilight whispered.

“Yes, say it again? I like it when you say my name,’ Tempest asked rubbing her cheek to Twilights.

“Fizzlepop.”

Fizzlepop.’

‘Fizzlepop!”

*POKE*

“GYAH!!!! MY EYE!”

Tempest felt a sudden sharp pain in her left eye as her dreamlike fantasy was shattered before her. She fell on her back and squirmed as she covers her eyeball only catching a glimpse of her attacker. When she finally settled down, and quit cursing profanity, she glared up at her attacker. Four azure blue hooves and a familiar white and silver mane attached to the smuggest grin she’d seen to date.

“Boysenberry,” Tempest snarled at the mare.

Trixie giggled obnoxiously at Tempest but a swift swat from both sides of her head made her reconsider her position. Starlight and Maud, most Starlight, were starting their friend down. Trixie lowered herself submissively not wanting to invoke her friends anymore. Maud then went to help Tempest up. She reached down with her hoof offering assistance to Tempest.

With what grace and dignity she had left Tempest allowed the earth pony to assist her up. Maud once again proved to be the more physically superior pony by practically lifting Tempest on her own. Surprisingly though it looked like she was about to dislodge Tempest's arm but there was no pain as she was nearly ragdolled into the air and to her hooves. There was a certain gentleness to Maud’s strength. She was truly skilled with her hooves. It made Tempest wonder what else she was good at.

“Sorry about Trixie. She’s a bit socially awkward,” Maud said.

“Hey!”

“Trixie, you sush!”

“I can see that,” Tempest replied to Maud with a kind tine. “Thank you, and if I may, you’re a very strong pony. I admire your strength.”

Maud blushed slightly, Starlight giggled as Trixie silently fumed in the background.

“Thank you,” Maud said looking way turning slightly red-faced.

“Dawww!”

“Blegh, Starlight, now that we found her can we eat? Trixie’s hungry!”

“Alright, alright, Trix, we can. Maud, Tempest? Where should we go?” Starlight asked not knowing where to go.

“I think I know just the place,” Tempest said leading the way.

Starlight, Trixie, and Maud followed close behind. Maud, however, took a few faster paces to get side by side with Tempest, with Trixie glaring at her from behind. Maud then leaned closer and whispered into Tempest Shadow’s ear, “I love your dress. It suits you.”
> Lunch with friends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Pier de Noir. A lovely little restaurant that sat by a pony made canal that ran through the edge of town. Surrounded by several grape fields and located in a rather open area it was a lovely establishment and the finest restaurant in the whole town.

Tempest had fond memories of this place. Her parents had brought her here on several occasions. Each time was better than the last. This time she was finally old enough to sample the wines instead of grape juice. Not that she thought there was anything wrong with grape juice, it was delicious after all. Today she sat with Maud, Starlight, and Trixie near the water each with a glass of wine in front of them. Starlight was telling Tempest a tale of when Maud accidentally turns Trixie pink on accident with hair dye. Tempest had to put her wine down to not spill it while she tried hard not to laugh. Starlight was giggling like a silly filly, and Trixie was trying to hide as best she could under her hat while Maud patted her head.

Trixie then downed her glass of Moscato in one gulp and slammed the flute glass on the table, then proceeded to refill it.

“Oh, come on, Trix, it was funny! Lighten up!” Starlight said to her friend. “It wasn’t that bad.”

Trixie grumbled and pouted. “Ponies in Ponyville called me, Pixie. “

Trixie sipped her wine again. “Trixie hates that name. It makes her sound like a red light district entertainer.”

“I think it’s a nice name,” Maud replied.

That made Trixie smile and hug the grey mare. Maud gave her a pat on the back. Tempest all the while watched the odd exchange. Since they started walking here Starlight had told her about how they saved the world from the changelings and her and Trixie’s misadventure with King Thorax and his brother and several misadventures they had. The oddest story was one Starlight told was when she and Maud went to a strange land through a mirror in Princess Twilight’s castle to meet her friend Sunset Shimmer.

“Come on, Trix, it’s a cute nickname! I mean twilight called you it too! So that means she likes you ain't more,” Starlight said.

It was a very odd story.

Nonetheless, it made Tempest think, what do these three have in common that makes them such great friends?

“Trixie still hates it. But she supposes it’s nice that a good friend calls her it. So, Trixie Will have to deal with it.”

Trixie was a jackwagon, Maud seemed to be an anti-social at first glance, but that was clearly not the case. She didn’t talk much either which is what made it hard to gauge her. Tempest just assumed it was because she just didn’t like to talk much, to begin with. That left Starlight Glimmer. She seemed to be the most normal from the three.

“So, Starlight what’s your story?” Tempest asked the unicron. “I heard about you from the Princess. You’re her student, am I right?”

“Yes, I’m her student of friendship!” Starlight said cheerfully.

“I’m actually amazed. She told me a bit about you, but not much. What’s your story?” Tempest asked the unicorn sipping her wine.

“Well, it’s not something I like to talk about,” Starlight said fidgeting with her wine glass. “I’ve done many things I’m not proud of.”

“Join the club,” Trixie said with an irritable tone.

Tempest ignored Trixie and listened to Starlight. However, the unicorn didn’t seem like she wanted to talk right now. Tempest assumed this was because they didn’t know each other well enough. Just when she was about to drop the subject Starlight blurted out, “I enslaved an entire village.”

Tempest stared at her unsure if what she heard was true or not. She glanced at Maud and Trixie who both seemed to nod confirming this. Still, she didn’t believe it. Why would Princess Twilight take somepony who enslaved a village as her student? It didn’t make sense.

“Yeah, I know it doesn’t make sense, but Twilight is just that kind of pony,” Starlight said.

Tempest was taken aback by Starlights comment. “Wait, how did-”

“I could tell by the look on your face,” Starlight said smiling at Tempest. “I’ve seen it plenty of times before. I know it well.”

“You do?”

“Oh, yes. When I ruled my village I was going through a difficult time. I had lost my friend after he got his cutie mark. When he did he left to go to Canterlot and I hadn’t seen him for years. It wasn’t until Twilight and her friends came to my village did the ponies become free.”

“What did you do then?” Tempest asked.

Maud and Trixie sat silently listening to their friend's story. While Starlight did tell them what she did she never bothered to explain what she did after her village was liberated. Now was their chance to not only learn about Starlight but to gain an understanding of her as well.

So they listen to Starlight as she continued.

“When I was forced from the village I swore revenge on Twilight. That lead me down a dark path from which I almost didn’t return. After a while I followed Twilight around, learning about her and her friends. It wasn’t long after that I learned what I needed to get back at her,” Starlight said stopping to sample her wine.

It left a bitter taste in her mouth. Licking her lips she glanced at the red wine in her glass contemplating her past.

“It’s funny, isn’t it? How quickly our lives can change from one extreme to another?” She asked looking at Tempest, specifically at her horn.

“Yeah, I guess. . .” Tempest lowered her head rubbing the base of her horn. “Extremes huh?”

Starlight nearly dropped her glass donning a worried look. Afraid she’d offended Tempest she apologized quickly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Don’t worry. I’m over it now,” Tempest replied kindly. “So this village you came from, did they ever forgive you?”

“Yeah, they did. It took some time, but they eventually opened up to me again. They even invited me to their Summer Sun Celebration. But that was cut short by a changeling invasion.”

“Ah, I remember Princess Twilight mentioning that. You and Trixie helped stop that didn’t you?” Tempest asked.

Starlight nodded smiling and hugging Trixie. Trixie smiled and nuzzle Starlight back.

“Yeah, Trixie here put her life on the line in hopes that she could save me and in turn help save Equestria. Without her, Thorax, and even Discord, I would never have been able to pull that rescue off and save the changelings.”

Tempest recognized the name discord. From what she knew he was a fairytale but was it possible he was real? Starlight seemed to catch the confused and skeptical look on her face and tried to reassure her that Discord was in fact very real. A funny guy even, to which Trixie rolled her eyes and gulped down the glass of wine. Maud nodded slowly saying, “His standup could use a little work, but he’s a nice guy.”

“Wow, you sure made something of yourself,” Tempest said. “I’m glad my family is so forgiving.”

Starlight nodded and leaned into tempest's side. “Family and friends can be very understanding. However, sometimes conflict is inevitable. It’s up to you to make amends with them or try to make a positive change should anything happen.” Starlight sagely suggested.

Tempest played with her glass of wine, spinning it on the table with her hooves she stared deep into the red liquid thinking about what Starlight and Twilight told her. Two different ponies telling her the same thing. Perhaps there was something to this whole forgive and forget thing. Maybe it was about time she let go of what Trixie did and move on. Give her another chance.

“Does that mean-”

“No Trixie.” Starlight said cutting her off. “You can’t use that story anymore.”

“What? Why not Starlight?” Trixie whined.

And the mood was gone instantly.

“Because it’s called, being insensitive,” Starlight snapped at her friend.

Maud leaned over and patted Tempest on her back and said, “Imagine if we used Starlight’s village and fall as the basis for a story that we would tell for entertainment. How do you think she’d feel?”

Trixie pouted and looked away from her friends. “She’d hate it.”

Maud nodded. “Yes. How do you think Tempest feels about you using what happened to her for a story you use to entertain others?” Maud asked Trixie.

Trixie huffed lowering her gaze away from Maud. By the Maud lifted Trixie’s chin with her hoof to look her in the eyes. Maud's gaze didn’t harden one bit. She remained with her blank face looking down at Trixie. Trixie couldn’t bear the stare and let out a low whine. Tempest giggled at Trixie's expense earning an angry glare from the mare.

“Fine, Trixie won’t do it anymore.” Trixie pouted.

“And? Don’t you have something you want to say to Tempest?” Maud hinted to her.

Trixie, however, was being difficult. And to Tempest, it was nearly unbearable. However between Alright and Maud's gazes eventually Trixie gave in. Swallowing her pride she scooted closer to Tempest with a frown on her face. Tempest even scowled back at her not wanting the mare to move closer as if her obnoxious personality would rub off on her.

Eventually, the two mares were side by side, neither willing to look the other in the eye. For a few minutes, nopony said a word through this strange silence. Eventually, the two mares did make eye contact, however brief, before looking away. A few more sips of their wine glasses and the two mares finally made eye contact.

“Tempest, Trixie’s sorry for using your life tragedy as a basis for her story.”

“Uh, it’s fine I guess. Just so long as you don’t do it again I’ll be fine with it,” Tempest said pouring another glass of wine, and taking a bite of her sandwich.

This came as a surprise to everypony. They didn’t expect Tempest to take this apology so easily. Starlight specifically was sure it would have taken more than one try knowing how abrasive Trixie could be. She smiled at the two for making up.

The tempest broke the mood saying, “There’s one catch.”

Trixie eye the other mare wearily. “What’s that?”

“You have to stay and work at my family's vineyard with me. Especially you,” Tempest said pointing at Trixie.

“What? Why?! Trixie apologized why does she need to work for you to accept the apology?!”

Starlight chuckled nudging Trixie.

“Come on now Trixie, a little work won’t kill you,” Starlight said patting her friends back.

“Yeah, little moon, besides if we do we might learn something new,’ Maud added. “Besides I’d like to learn more about Tempest and her family.”

“So would I. If you’ll have us over course?” Starlight asked.

Tempest shrugged sipping her wine. “It’s fine I guess.”

Starlight smiled taking her own wine in her hoof and raised it above the table.

“Then a toast, to future friendships!” She cheered.

“To future friendships,” Maud added monotonously.

Tempest raised hers, leaving only Trixie out of it. A swift kick from under the table made her grumble and raise her glass and mumble, “To future friendships.”

And the four mares tapped their glasses together sealing the bond they had made. Under this oath, a new friendship was truly born and now it would only flourish. It made each of them happy to know that something was coming out of this whole thing, and only for the better.
> Reemergence
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Hours later*

Trixie panted heavily, her coat was glistening and matted with her own sweat as she dragged her hooves carrying a large wagon filled with more grapes than seemingly possible behind her. At her side, Maud, Starlight, and Tempest were pulling wagons of their own, but not nearly as full as the one Trixie was pulling. The one Trixie was pulling was the one Tempest used when she was growing up. It was an old wagon. Aged oak, rickety, and on the verge of breaking down, it was possibly the oldest wagon in the whole town.

Panting, Trixie groaned glaring at Tempest from behind.

“You *pant* did this on purpose!” Trixie complained, wiping a sweat from her forehead.

Tempest gave Trixie her most cheeky grin, with a casual glance. “Yeup. I sure did.”

Trixie ground her teeth pulling harder to catch up to Tempest and her friends. She walked up beside Tempest and nudged her side, to which Tempest returned it with a playful giggle. Starlight smiled seeing the warm interaction between the two grow. It was nice instead of them being cold to each other over the last few hours the two were actually getting along.

She was honestly surprised when the two started talking on their own. Sure, they were short awkward conversations, but the fact of the matter is they were talking, and that was a step in the right direction.

*SNAP!* *CRACK!*

The sound of old wood breaking snapped Starlight from her thoughts. She glanced up at Tempest who was laughing at Trixie. Starlight’s gaze then turned to Trixie who was glaring at her wagon. She noticed both wheels broke right off the axles, and the entire thing was now flat on the ground. Trixie was glaring at the wheels as if they were the source of all life's sufferings.

Starlight unhinged herself from her own grape filled wagon and went over to inspect the wheels. The damage was minimal and with a little magic she was able to mend the wheels. Tempst stopped laughing and watched closely as Starlight lifted the wagon and placed the wheels underneath it with expert precision. A little mending spell later and the wheels were safely secure to the axel and ready for use. Trixie tugged the wagon and was happy with the results. Even Tempest was impressed, despite being very envious of Starlight and Trixie.

She wished she had her horn. If she did, would she have made it into the pantheon of powerful unicorns in Equestria? Would she even be any good at it?

Suddenly, Tempest felt a deep sickening feeling in her gut. The kind of feeling one gets when faced with a trial that puts a great amount of stress on them. Tempest found herself wondering what her life would have been like had she never lost her horn. What would she have been like? Would she still be friends with Trixie? Would they even be close or drift apart as they grew up?  All these questions ran through Tempest Shadow’s mind as they continued to walk down the dirt path towards Tempest's home.

Along the way, they saw a group of foals running towards them. At the lead was Berry Pinch with a ball magically bouncing above her. She passed the ball to one of her friends behind her, another filly unicorn with pink fur, who then passed it to a pegasus colt above them, and he bopped it with his nose back to Berry Pinch. The foals laughed as they approached Tempest and the others. The two groups stopped as they met and the ball bounced over to Trixie and rolled to her hooves. Trixie stopped the ball by placing her hoof on top of it, smiling at the little foals.

“Having fun little ones?” Tempest ask Pinch.

Her cousin nodded happily.

“Yeah, mommy said I wasn’t grounded for sneaking out at night!” Pinch said excitedly.

“That’s good to hear. My friends and I are just finishing up with our chores. You foals stay safe, okay?” Tempest said to them.

“Yes, ma’am!” They all agreed.

“Berry Pinch, come home before it gets dark okay? I don’t want your mother to get on me for letting you stay out late,” Tempest said to her niece.

“I Won’t. Bye Tempest!”

With that the filly leads the way as she and her friends ran past the mares. The pegasus colt swooped down to grab their ball and flew off after his friends, laughing with them as the disappeared over a hill from sight.

Tempest thought back to the day she and her friends were playing a similar game. She glanced over to Trixie, who was watching the hill in silence. For some time she just stood there, while Tempest and the other’s just watched her. Finally, after a whole two minutes, Trixie started walking over to Tempest and stopped by her side. Their wagons barely had an inch of space between them, and the wheels pressed against one another. Trixie gave Tempest a sad pathetic look.

Tempest felt her heart sank a bit at the look she was getting. Then with a slight tear in her eye, Trixie slowly looked into Tempest's eyes. Her lip quivered, and her body shook slightly. Tempest wasn’t sure what to make of this behavior, then suddenly Trixie pressed herself against Tempest and hugged her. She rubbed her nose against the soft dark fur and Tempest was in too much shock to retaliate.

“I’m sorry Tempest! Trixie really is sorry. I lost my home facing one of those mangy beasts! I never meant for you to get hurt. I’m so sorry you faced it and had to live alone afterward,” Trixie said in tears. “Can you forgive me?”

The soft quivering voice, the teary eyes, and sudden shock from the physical contact made Tempest Shadow’s mind stir. She couldn't think straight. All she knew was Trixie was crying in her arms suddenly and it made no sense. Yet, she found it harder to say no to her with each second that passed. Eventually feeling a powerful sense of guilt, which she was sure just Trixie guilt-tripping her, she gave in and patted the smaller mare on the back.

“Fine, I’ll let it go. But you have to do something for me,” Tempest demanded.

Trixie perked up immediately wiping away her tears. “What have you to ask of the Great and Powerful Trixie?”

Tempest shook her head at Trixie speedy recovery, but she still managed to crack a smile.

“Tell me about Maud. She seems, odd.”

The two mares shared a laugh, and for the first time in a long time since she left the Storm King's army, Tempest truly felt like she moved on in her life. She was mending fences with Trixie, she had a friend in Starlight and Maud, she was even close to Princess Twilight. Though her thoughts tended to linger longer on the latter.

To her surprise, Trixie had much to speak of about Maud. She spoke about the mares oddities, her family, and even a bit into how she learned about Boulder, Maud’s pet rock. There were many things Trixie seemed to like about Maud’s family. It got to the point where Tempest was sure Trixie saw them as a second family possibly, but she didn’t bother to ask. She was enjoying the time she was spending with her new friends, and her old one and to her, that's all that mattered.

As the four mares continued down the road, Trixie and Starlight tried to explain the enigma that was Maud to Tempest. One thing lead to another and eventually, they were exchanging stories about misadventures they had until they reached their destination. Storing the grapes away for the evening and the wagons in the shed, the four mares walked into a separate building nearby. Inside was several materials to make barrels to store the wine.

Inside there was Chardonnay and Merlot working together to make a barrel when the four mares came in.

“Hello, girls!” Merlot greeted them with a smile on his face. “How’s today's haul?”

“It was great, Dad,” Tempest said. “We managed to fill all four wagons to the brim and beyond that.”

“That’s great dear!”

Tempest quickly found herself ensnared by her mother. Starlight and Trixie giggled at her, Maud simply watched. After escaping from her mothers vice grip Tempest took a moment to recompose herself and walked to her father's side.

“Need help, Dad?”

Merlot nodded giving Tempest a long piece of flat metal with two holes on each end.

“Can you wrap this around the head so I can rivet it in, sweetie?”

“Got it.”

Tempest took the metal piece and looked at the barrel her father was holding. It was nearly complete, but the barrel was old and sometimes the metal would need to be replaced or the barrel would have to be rebuilt from scratch. Merlot didn’t like getting rid of old barrels since they made better wine with use, but sometimes he had to compromise. Many of the barrels were as old as the town, possibly older from what her mother told her. This particular barrel had an old rusted metal ring called a chime hoop, that was discarded to the side and was going to be replaced by this new chime hoop.

Tempest wrapped the metal around while Chardonnay took the others out of the building with several of the empty barrels to be filled leaving Tempest alone with her father. Merlot was quick to rivet the hoop to the head of the barrel and proudly looked it over to make sure the planks of wood making up the barrel didn’t have any gaps. He nodded in approvement at the barrel. When he tried to lift the barrel on this back his back seized up and he fell over yelping in pain.

“Dad!”

Tempest was quick to be at his side. She leaned into him to support her father. She then realized after feeling him he was a lot thinner than he looked. She could feel his ribs slightly through his fur and shirt. She gave him a worried look, his aged eyes showing through clear as day to her. Once again she felt as if time had sped past her in the blink of an eye.

Oh, the many years she spent away, and all the things she could have done with her family. The things she could have done with friend and others. Had she not be so selfish maybe things would have turned out different. She looked away from her father and pushed the barrel off him, not caring if it broke or got damaged. All she cared about was helping her father. Carefully, she guided him to a seat and helped him sit down to rest his back. The old stallion smiled at his daughter ruffling her large mane with his hoof affectionately.

“Thanks, kiddo.”

“Dad, you really shouldn’t work like that anymore.”

Merlot glared at his daughter.

“And why’s that?”

“Because you're old! Let me do the heavy lifting, dad. I’ll lift you do the easier stuff.”

“No listen here,” the stallion said stubbornly. “I may be old, but I still have a kick or two left in me!”

To emphasize his point Merlot tried to stand, but his back seized up again and he fell back into the chair. “Ow.”

Tempest smirked at her father placing the barrel she dropped earlier into a neatly stacked pile.

“Told you, old horse,” She said grinning at her father.

Merlot laughed, feeling his back aching as he did. “You keep that up missy, and you’re gonna be grounded so hard the underground mole people will be your neighbors.”

Tempest rolled her eyes placing the second barrel on the pile.

“Sure, whatever you say dad. I know they aren’t real,” Tempest sated dryly.

“Ah, too bad. That use to work like a charm on you when you were a filly,” He said shrugging.

“I was five, Dad.”


“Well regardless, you’re home again. We really missed you.”

Tempest’s ears folded back on her head. She felt that nagging ache in her chest rise again. Guilt was an everlasting force it seemed. She looked back at her father who was looking down at the floor now. His hooves rubbing together as he spoke.

“Your mother and I almost divorced after you left. We had a huge argument over why you left. I blamed your mother, she blamed me. In the end, it seemed like we would end up hating each other over what happened to you.”

Tempest left the barrels and walked to sit by her father's side. She leaned into him resting her head on his shoulder. He smiled wrapping his arms around her and pulled her close to him. Tempest smiled and nuzzled his cheek with her nose.

“I’m sorry I ran away dad. I just had to figure some things out. It was rough, but I learned a lot from my time away. I’m sorry I nearly drove you and mom apart.”

Merlot shook his head slowly, his hoof gently petting tempest's mane comfortingly.

“Don’t worry about it kiddo. Your mother is more stubborn than you'll ever admit,” Merlot said with a laugh.

Tempest chuckled knowing full well her mother was, in fact, one of the most stubborn ponies she knew. Aside from Trixie of course. “Yeah, I know mom can be difficult to deal with sometimes. I think I get it from her now that I think about it.”

“You most surely did Tempest,” Merlot agreed. “But you know in the end our love blossomed ever more from those fights. You mother moved out to live with her parents and I kept the house. After some time we didn’t speak. Then one day about a year later we both started to realize just how much we missed each other. Eventually, I gave in and went to find your mother.”


“Much to my surprise when I got to her parent's house they told me she’d left a few days earlier to go back to me. It took us over a month before we were able to stop missing each other. And a little intervention from her parents too. They kept Chardonnay home long enough for me to rebound to Manehattan to see her. We’ve never thought about separating again since.”

“Wow, dad. I never knew.”

“It’s fine kiddo. In the end, your mother and I got back together and we swore we’d never let anything separate us again. In fact, our trip was to celebrate another decade of successful marriage. We just didn’t think you’d be home.”

Tempest signed hugging her father. The old stallion gave her a hug back.

“I”m still sorry I left dad. I promise I’ll be a better daughter.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Does that mean you’ll be staying with us for a while?”

“Yes, if that’s okay? Princess Twilight asked me to join as her personal guard Captain,” Tempest explained to Merlot. “I feel that I should take the position. But I want to stay with you and mom too.”

“Don’t be silly Fizzlepop!”

“I prefer Tempest, Dad.”

“I know, but you should still take the position! I mean, The new Princess wants you to be her Captain of the Guard! That’s not something to be taken lightly! Why didn’t you accept?”

“I do want too, but I also wanted to see you and mom again. I had to make sure everything was alright between all of us before I did so I could focus. Besides, I don’t feel like I deserve the position.”

Merlot smiled kissing Tempest's cheek. The mare groaned pushing her father away, but not too hard. She did love the shows of affection. She would never admit it openly though, but she did enjoy it.

“I don’t hear those barrels being riveted in there!” The sound of Chardonnays voice cut through like a blade.

“And the moment’s gone,” Tempest complained.

Merlot laughed. “Yeah, we should get back to work. Thanks, sweetie.”

“Don’t worry dad. Just do the riveting and I’ll do the heavy lifting, okay?”

Merlot nodded in agreement. He remained in the chair while they continued to work for the next few hours. Repairing and making new barrels, while Chardonnay, Maud, Starlight, and Trixie filled each barrel up with the fermenting wine well into the evening. Tempest thought her life was finally taking a turn for the better, and nothing was going to ruin this time she spent with her family and new friends.

On the outskirts of town, Berry Pinch and her friends were playing along the hills with their ball. Their game was a clumsy one. One pony would hit the ball to another and repeat this over and over again. Many times the ball fell down the grassy hill they played on and would have to chase after it. Sometimes they’d add a random game of dodgeball just for fun, and sometimes they played tag. They giggled and laughed as they played in the grass hills together.

During one of their games of catch and pass, Berry Pinch was mostly throwing the ball to her pegasus friend. The other filly poked fun at her for him being her favorite, to which Pinch blushed and insisted she was just a friend. Of course, the other filly kept joking about it as they played.

“Hey, featherbrain, catch the ball!” The pink filly said to the colt bopping the ball to him with her head.

“I got it!”

The colt flew fast into the air chasing after the ball. He caught it and threw it back at them. Berry Pinch used her magic to make a tiny barrier and made it bounce off. The ball flew through the air and rolled down the other side of the hill heading into the nearby forest. The foals chased after it not paying any attention to the warning signs that read ‘Stay Out!’ on them. They chased the ball laughing until it rolled down on an old dirt road. The ball hit a small boulder and bounced over gaining more momentum as it fell. The ball bounced and bounced until it came to a small clearing where it continued into a deep dark cave.

The foals slowed down and came to a stop near the cave entrance. They stared into the deep dark abyss for a while listening for any sounds of their ball. The cave entrance went down at a steep angle and the three foals glanced inside not daring to go within.

“That’s dark,” The pegasus colt said.

The pink filly next to Pinch nodded. “I agree with Silver Wind, but now what do we do?”

The colt, Silver Wind, grinned and stepped into the cave confidently.

“We go after the ball! Duh!” He said.

“I don’t know Silver, my mommy said we should never go into the caves here. They’re dangerous!” Pinch said.

“Yeah! I heard a pony died in there once!” The pink filly said.

Her two friends stared at her in disbelief.

“What? It’s true! My mommy knew the pony who died in there!”

Silver Wind glanced back into the cave. “So, do you think the bodies down there?” he asked.

“I don’t wanna find out,” The pink filly said.

“I kinda wanna see if it is!”  PInch said. “As long as we don’t get caught we should be fine! Come on Silver! Let’s go get the ball and explore!”

Lighting her horn with a weak candlelight spell Berry Pinch led the way into the cave. Her sense of adventure overrode her mother’s warnings as she leads Silverwind down the cave.


“Yeah, now you’re talking!” Silver Wind followed close behind.

“Guys! We shouldn’t!” The other filly called to them. “The adults told us not to go on the caves! The ursas will get you!”


Silver Wind scoffed at her. “Pfft! Please, there hasn’t been an ursa here in years. We’ll be fine! Come on Cottontail! It’ll be fun!”

At first, the pink fill, Cottontail, didn’t move. Her two friends descended into the darkness leaving her alone in the woods near the entrance to the cave. She shivered and glanced back and forth between the cave and the way back home. She heard twig snap making her jump with fright.

“Guys? GUYS!?”

She shivered in fright as the bushes rustle in the wind. She cried out and ran into the cave. She almost immediately slipped and slid down the rocky decline. And tumbled for a few seconds before coming to a stop at the bottom. She shook her head and realized she’d fallen into a large open area. In the center was her friends with their ball looking at something until they heard Cottontail falling down.

Seeing their friend down they rushed to her side and lifted her off the ground. Pinch dusted her off while Silver Wind checked her for cuts or bruises.

“Are you okay?! That was quite a fall!” Pinch asked looking over Cottontail.

“Yeah! I mean, not like I care or anything, but that was quite a ways to fall,” Silver Wind said.

The Cottontail blushed as she was looked over by her friends.

“Guys I’m fine. Can we just get the ball and leave? I’m scared,” Cottontail whimpered looking around the cave.

“No way!” PInch said loudly. “You gotta check this out!”

“Yeah, it’s super cool!” Silver WInd said flying near the center of the room.

Cottontail quickly followed her friends to the center of the area. There were stalactites and stalagmites all around like the cave was full of teeth. There was a sound of dripping water nearby, but in the darkness, Cottontail couldn’t see the source. When she joined her friends they are staring at something on the floor. Cottontail leaned over to see what they were looking at.

Her eyes widened in surprise at what she saw.

“Wow!” Cottontail exclaimed.

“Isn’t it cool?” Silver Wind asked.

“I can’t believe something was here,” Pinch added.

There on the floor covered in dirt was what looked like a fracture unicorn horn. It was in good condition too. The spiraling shape of the horn was easy to see and identify. Pinch pointed to a dark spot on the ground. It was a brownish color unlike the rest of the cave floor.

“What is it? Is it blood?” Silver Wind asked looking closely at it.

“B-B-blood?!?” Cottontail gasped. “Guys can we leave now? I’m scared!”

“Don’t be such a sissy, Cottontail! You two got me here after all,” Silver Wind said confidently, as he wrapped his wings around both his friends.

Both fillies blushed looking away from him and back at the severed horn. Berry Pinch lifted it with her magic, not canceling her candlelight spell. She stared at the horn intently as if something about it was familiar to her. Yet, she couldn’t think of why. She suddenly smelled something awful, like fish breath, hot and steamy.

“You guys smell that?” She asked looking up.

The other nodded and looked up too. They were met face to face with an Ursa Major. The massive cosmic bear had a large scar that ran across its face. It had massive scars all over its body and several spears and arrows sticking out of its hide. It stared back at the gawking foals baring its fangs at them. Rearing up on its back legs, the ursa roared shaking the foals to their bones. Silver went stiff like a statue, his bravado all but gone. Pinch was in no better conditions and relieved herself on the spot, and Cottontail choked back tearful sobs. The three foals went stiff with fear as the realized their folly.

“I knew we should've left sooner…” Cottontail sobbed.
> Cosmic Bears
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tempest sat around the dinner table with her family and friends eating dinner. Tonight's meal consisted of herb spaghetti with buttered garlic bread and Merlot’s best vintage. While eating, Trixie was telling a story of pure fiction, and totally not based on anything, while the others listened. Maud seemed unusually fascinated by the story, while Starlight rolled her eyes, but listened nonetheless.

“-and that was how Trixie saved the sea ponies from the evil sea serpent!”

The older ponies clapped, while Tempest just stared at her. A gentle nudge from her aunt made her clap, albeit slowly.

“That was a lovely story, Trixie,” Chardonnay said.

“Indeed it was. I’m looking forward to your next performance,” Merlot added sipping a glass of red wine. “I can’t wait to see how you perform if your storytelling can be this good.”

Trixie fluffed her mane smiling at the compliments. “Thank you for the kind words. Trixie-” Starlight glared at her friend silencing her before she could get a word out. Trixie grumbled to herself and gulped down her own wine. Starlight smiled and went on to eat.

Maud stopped eating her spaghetti and turned to Berry Punch. The older mulberry mare caught wind of the blank stare she was getting and turned to face Maud with her fork on hoof.

“What is it? Is something wrong with your food, Maud?” She asked.

“No, the foods excellent. I was wondering though, wasn’t there a smaller filly with you before at the show we did?” Maud asked.

All ponies present looked around the table. When they did they noticed that indeed a certain filly was not present at the time.

“Yeah, where is Pinch? I told her to be back before dark,” Tempest said looking at her aunt.

Tempest stood up and wiped her mouth with her napkin and throwing out on her plate.

“I’m going to go look for her.”

“We’ll help too,” Starlight offered.

“No, that’s fine,” Tempest said, gently pushing the mare back to her seat. “You girls enjoy the meal, and I’ll go. She’s probably just with her little friends playing and lost track of time. Plus, I think I saw her with acute colt too.”

Tempest watched as her aunt's eye twitched mid-bite. The fork dropped from Berry Punch’s hoof and she abruptly stood up. The table shook when her legs hit the side of it to the point everypony had to grab their glasses to prevent them from falling over.

“I’m going with you too” Berry Punch said darkly storming off. “That filly is in so much trouble when I find her….” she mumbled under her breath

Tempest couldn’t help but grin at her aunt's outburst. A swift swat to her flank made her yelp. She turned and glared back at her mother who was giving her a warning look that said not to antagonize others.

“I didn’t do anything, Mom.”

“You know what you did.”

“Ugh, fine I’ll tell her, I’m sorry,” Tempest grumbled walking away.

“Don’t you dare put that armor back on!”

Tempest groaned again walking up the stairs hearing her mother call her. “MOM!!”

There was a series of laughter from the dining room as Tempest stomped up to her room. Intent on ignoring her mother's gripes about showing her ‘feminine side’. She was going to put her armor on just to spite her. After stomping to her room Tempest slipped into her armor and went downstairs where Trixie was standing by the door waiting for her. Looking her over Tempest realized the unicorn was wearing her signature hat and cape with a pair of saddlebags under the cape.

“Ready to go, Fizzlepop?” Trixie asked smiling.

“Why are you coming along?” Tempest asked with some bite.

“Uh, Trixie just wanted to help?”

“...”

“It’s true!”

Tempest just stared at the mare disbelievingly at Trixie. Not caring she walked next to the mare. Trixie didn’t stand in Tempest's way and even offered to open the door for her and allowing her to pass first.

“Thanks, Boysenberry.”

“Please, it’s Trixie now.”

“Then please, don’t call me Fizzlepop. My name's Tempest Shadow.”

Tempest walked past and outside. Trixie followed behind and was met by a cold gust of wind. She huddled under her cape pulling it closed with her magic while she followed Tempest.

“Wow, that name’s so edgy,” Trixie said keeping pace with Tempest.

Tempest glared murderously at Trixie, who didn’t seem to care one way or another. However, a confident smirk afterward made Tempest realize Trixie was just messing with her. Unsure of what to make of the mare Tempest shoved her with a shoulder. Trixie playfully pushed back.

“Come on, don’t be so edgy! Trixie was kidding! You know, a joke?”

After taking a moment to cool her head Tempest realized it what Trixie had said. Despite the way she behaved, she did say she was sorry. But that still didn’t make the joke hurt less. She hated being called edgy. Tempest remembered fondly the last time someone called her edgy. She threw them off her airship into the middle of the ocean. Of course, Tempest threw a life preserver afterwards. She wasn’t completely heartless even back when she served the Storm King. She suddenly remembered Captain Celaeno and her crew. Yes, she threatened to destroy their ship, but she was no murderer. After destroying their ship she left Celano and her crew marooned on Mount Aris. Even that annoyingly charming Capper. Probably for the better, otherwise she would have been a stain on a wall on the other side of Equestria. In a strange way, her one act of compassion, however small, ended up saving her life and the lives of others. It gave her hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a light at the end of each dark tunnel everyone had to face in life.

She laughed at herself for thinking such childish sentiment, but it made her feel better. Trixie looked worried at her sudden outburst of laughter. “Tempest, you alright there?” Trixie asked her.

Tempest sighed walking around town looking out for any sign of Berry Pinch or her aunt with Trixie on her tail. The two mares walked down the street which was teeming with ponies now. Ponies were either going home or enjoying the cool evening air after a long day at work. Tempest walked through a large group of young teenage mares before stopping. She turned to face Trixie with the slightest indication of a frown on her face.

“Listen, Trixie. I know thing are difficult between us. Between your arrogance and my bullheadedness, it's a wonder we ever got along as foals. That being said, I want you to know I forgive you. Not because I really do, but so I can move on with my life and stop holding on to the past.”

Trixie didn’t respond immediately. Instead, her ears fold back on her head and she adopted a sorrowful expression full of regret. Oh, great here come the crocodile tears. She got me last time but this time I’m ready. Tempest thought to herself mentally preparing for what was to come.

Trixie walked past her and leaned up on a nearby fence looking at the huge crowd of ponies around them. With a heavy sigh, she pulled her cape over herself to protect her from the cold and looked at a single pony walking alone.

“Trixie wants to tell you something, Tempest. A mistake she made not long ago. A few years back Trixie went to the town of Ponyville,” Trixie said looking back at Tempest who was now at her side. “When Trixie got there she used the story of the ursa major to entertain the populace. However, some of the ponies called Trixie out. In the end, Trixie was confronted by an actual ursa minor. I was ultimately humiliated by Twilight Sparkle, long before she was a princess.”

“Long story short, I was a laughing stock for many years afterward. Until I met Starlight Glimmer. Once I met her my life changed for the better. Not long after meeting her, I helped her save Equestria, the Princesses, and the Elements of Harmony with Discord and Thorax. When we did that we were revealed as heroes. It was a life-changing experience.”

Tempest listened to the whole story and never once interrupted Trixie. By the tone of her voice, Tempest was sure Trixie was being sincere and it was not what she expected. Somehow she expected something more grandiose than what she got. Then again, it was a breath of relief to see Trixie mellow down a bit. After a moment of silence, Trixie turned to her neck to look at Tempest. A strong gust of wind blew against them making her cape flutter in the wind as she said, “I’m really sorry for what I did. Believe me, that story should have stayed in the past. But I really didn’t see the harm in telling it once more.”

Tempest sighed moving closer to Trixie. She gently hugged the azure mare wrapping her arms around her firmly. Trixie smiled accepting the hug and even hugged Tempest back.

“Well, as long as you don’t do it again we’ll be fine. I’m sorry I was so hard on you too.”

“Trixie knows. Friends?”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Tempest replied stiffly tightening her grip on Trixie turning her a darker shade of blue.

Trixie gasped struggling to break free from Tempest Shadow’s grasp. When she finally thought she’d croak Tempest let her go. Trixie fell down gasping for air while Tempest laughed as she patting her on the back. In the middle of her gasping for air Trixie managed to glare back at Tempest.

“Brute.”

Tempest laughed patting Trixie’s back. Eventually, Trixie managed to smile and joined her. Their heartfelt moment was interrupted when a loud roar echoed through the entire town. Tempest felt a cold shiver go down her spine as she turned to the east side of town. She looked at the dense forest far beyond and immediately felt something inside her snap. Without a word, she began running towards the forest. Something deep down told her she needed to be there.

This driving force completed her and like an unseen guide she ran through the ponies, past the building, and eventually through a dense grape field. As she reached the precise of the field a loud roar echoed over the area. Tempest felt her heart race, her body went cold, and her mind blank.

Her life flashed before her eyes as the familiar sound resonated in her ear. Even Trixie froze up in fear of the sound, quaking on the very spot she stood.

“W-w-was t-t-that an-”

“Yes, it was. An ursa,” Tempest growled listening with her ears. “It must have migrated back.”

“B-b-b-Ack?! What do you mean, ‘migrated back’!?” Trixie sputtered.

“Our village was built near an ursa major breeding ground, remember? They live in a nearby cave system. When the monsoon season starts that’s the time they usually migrate here to breed. They don’t usually come this early though,” Tempest stated. Trixie nodded glancing back at the treeline.

Trixie and Tempest listened as the roars continued to grow louder and louder. The sounds of it heavy paws stomping made an ear-shattering boom. The ground shook with each step. From the pace, the steps and shakes were being made Tempest reasoned the ursa was probably running. Or chasing somepony. The next thing she knew a group of fillies and a colt were running out of the trees. She recognized Pinch immediately and ran to intercept her.

“Tempest!! Help us!!”

Tempest ran up to the tiny unicorn and grabbed her in her arms. Pinch sobbed into Tempest’s mane, hiccuping as she tried to hold back her tears. Tempest tried to calm the filly by patting her back while Trixie tended to the other two. Tempest felt a dampness in her mane where Pinch’s tears soaked in.

“Hey, what happened?” Tempest asked Pinch, afraid of what the answer might be.

Before the filly could get a word out the earth shook under them. The booming of heavy stomping came closer and louder until the tree line split apart. Emerging from the dark was an ursa major. It was barely that, still very young, but it was something Tempest recognized. A massive gnarly scar on the side of its face and a single knick in its left ear. Tempest scanned the ursa over and over until finally, her eyes set on the monster's eyes. For a brief moment, there was a cold connection between the two. She knew this beast. It was the same beast that broke her horn and gave her a scar. The same beast she returned the favor to with its scar.

Tempest’s fears were replaced by something stronger than anything she ever felt before. She tapped her back leg twice getting Trixie’s attention. Not taking her eyes off the ursa, Tempest took Pinch and slowly placed her on the ground and pushed her back towards Trixie. The azure unicorn magically grabbed the filly and placed her on her back and stared at Tempest.

For a moment nothing happened, but then Tempest turned her head slightly to the side, but never took her eyes off the ursa.

“Trixie, get these foals back to my parents home and tell my father to get as many barrels filled with blasting powder as he can. Then meet me back here.”

Trixie was shocked to hear that. She heard the words loud and clear, but somehow it didn’t click in her mind. No pony was crazy enough to take on an ursa alone.

“Are you sure?”

“Trixie! we don’t have time! Just go and I’ll distract the beast!”

Not bothering to wait for an answer Tempest charged the ursa. Her horn sparked to life with light blue energy. The ursa roared swiping widely with its claws trying to strike Tempest. The unicorn slid under the paw just shy of being struck. One of the large claws nicked her armor leaving a noticeable scratch across it. She felt the fur from the paw rub against her nose. She discharged her horn at the ursa’s paw, burning the far right off it. The ursa stumbled back nursing its paw while Tempest recovered from the slide.

She quickly glanced back to see Trixie fleeing with the foals at her side. Relieved to see the mare running with them to safety. Now it was up to Tempest to hold back the beast until help arrived and they could force back the ursa. Until then, she was on her own.

“Well, come on then," She said looking up at the cosmic bear. “Shall we finish what we started?’
> The Ursa and the Unicorn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Ursa stared down at its potential prey. Tempest glared back hatefully at the bear with her body poised and ready to strike.

It didn’t take long before the Ursa struck first. Raising one of its massive paws the Ursa made a wide and clumsy strike against Tempest. Tempest was able to leap backwards in time to barely miss the Ursa’s strike. Lowering her head, Tempest fired a powerful surge of magic into the side of the Ursa’s paw. Tempest's raw power seared the fur on the Ursa’s paw but wasn’t enough to do any significant harm.

Realizing her attack was of no use, Tempest quickly retreated and fled from the Ursa. The beast roar shaked the very earth beneath Tempest and gave chase after the little unicorn.

“That’s right, follow the birdie,” Tempest said under her breath as she continued evading the Ursa.

Tempest led the monster further from the town. As she ran she whirled around to shoot a surge of magical energy back at the Ursa if only to further antagonized it and keep its attention. Her many years of serving the Storm King had honed her body into a unstoppable machine of flesh and bone. She was an apex predator in a world riddled with monsters and beasts of all shapes and sizes and she wasn’t the vulnerable filly she was many years ago. This time if the Ursa wanted her, it would have to work for it.

Tempest lead the Ursa down a road heading away from the town. She had to buy enough time for her father to setup the trap. It was an easy enough trap, place enough explosives to make a huge blast and scare the Ursa away. Once long ago, Tempest fought off a group of tatzelwurms using this method. Then again, that was with a fleet of ships and eldritch cannons.

Hopefully she wouldn’t have to wait long. She was fit but her stamina wasn’t infinite. I’m counting on you Trixie! She thought to herself. And you better not leave me hanging! Or I will haunt you!

Tempest stopped running and suddenly turned to face the pursuing Ursa. With a mighty roar the Ursa reared up on its back legs raising both its front paws high above its head. Bringing both down he intended to destroy Tempest with one blow. Again the slow movements of the Ursa were easy enough for Tempest to evade, but the impact from the paws made the ground beneath her tremor. The violent vibrations made her nearly lose her footing. She hastily jumped away as the Ursa recovered and prepared to attack again. The Ursa struck with one of its claws burying it in the ground. Tempest took the initiative to counter strike. She ran up the Ursa’s arm and powered her horn with a large surge of magical energy.

The confused Ursa had no idea what was coming next. Tempest ran straight up the arm dodging the other paw as it tried to sweep her off. Tempest leaped into the air front flipping over the paw and landed on the shoulder to the Ursa Major. Tempest released the energy from her horn into the side of the Ursa’s face. The resulting explosion of energy sent Tempest flying off which she expected. Using her great agility she twisted her body around like a cat falling from a high perch to land on her hooves. However, her world was suddenly a dark blue as the Ursa swiped her full force with the broadside of his paw.

Tempest was sent spinning uncontrollably in the air like a ragdoll until she collided with the ground. Her body dragging through the dirt leaving a burrow trail behind until she collided against a stone wall from a lone building in a large field of grapevines.

Tempest groaned trying to pick herself up from the ground. Her body ached all over. That one strike took a lot out of her. Even though her armor was enchanted to take huge blows the Ursa’s strength proved greater than the enchantment could bare. Tempest tasted a small bit of blood in her mouth. She spit the taste out to the side and turned to glare back at the Ursa. With a wicked grin she chuckled to herself at the unsightly scar over its face.

“Heh, heh, guess you win again, huh?” She said spitefully. “Guess you’ll have the last laugh?”

As if hearing the unicorns words the Ursa slowly looked down at Tempest Shadow. It came within an inch of her face and breathed heavily against her. The two stared into each others eyes closely. Tempest coughed as she let a grin break out at the Ursa, She charged her broken horn once again for another point blank attack. She would blind the beast in one eye completely at this range if not outright destroy its eye. Her raw unhindered magic was strong enough to break most durable materials and flesh was no matter at this range. Even a dragon's scales would never survive against her attack at this range. However before she could discharge her horn, a familiar voice called to her from above. The sweet soft voice made her blood run cold and her face pale.

“Tempest? Is that you?” The familiar voice asked.

Tempest slowly glazed up as did the Ursa Major. Both met the eyes of Berry Punch looking down at Tempest from a window directly above her. Somehow the mare seemed unaware of the Ursa just in front of her. How can she be that oblivious!?

“Auntie, RUN!” Was all Tempest could shout before the Ursa swun its paw through the window and walls for the feebly constructed house.

Tempest cried out in horror as the debris from the house fell around her. The sight of her aunt’s limp body flying among the debris sent a chill down her spine. She watch as her aunt landed under the pile of wood and stone and got buried underneath it. Her heart sank and her mind went blank. Tempest felt sick to her stomach like she received a swift kick to her gut. She could only stare at the pile of rubble while the Ursa roared triumphantly and rearing back on its back legs.

Just then something inside Tempest Shadow snapped.

An old feeling she tried to bury since she returned, the ever so apparent feeling of bloodlust. All the years of anger, and torment on her soul came crashing down on her in one instant, sending her into a blind rage. And then, she lost her shit.
> Full Circle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fury roared inside Tempest Shadow.

All the years of hate, all the years of anguish, and self loathing, every fiber of her being was yelling at her. They commanded that she seeked retribution on the Ursa, and that nothing short of death would stop her. As she scanned the debris pile for any sign of her aunt she felt for a brief moment a feeling of sadness. It was quickly overpowered by her hate.

Her body shook violently and her vision went red with fury. Her heart raced and she ground her teeth together barring her long canines like a rabid dog. While the inner turmoil continued to build up like a massive pressure in Tempest, the Ursa leaned over to sniff the debris. No doubt looking for the pony inside it.

Using his nose the Ursa pushed a chunk of the house away and indeed revealed Berry Punch underneath. The older mare was cut and bruised darked hues than her fur. Before anything else could happen Tempest yelled out as loud as she could, “Get away from her, you big blue beast!”

Without thinking, Tempest charged the Ursa ramming her head into its front right paw. The sharp edges of her horn pierced the thick hide and dug itself deep into the cosmic bears paw. The impact gave Tempest a splitting headache, but she was to hyped up on adrenaline to care. Her anger swelled up and manifested itself as a powerful charge that erupted from her horn. It seared into the bears paw burning deep inside causing the Ursa great amounts of pain. The right most toes swelled up like a balloon only adding the the Ursas discomfort. Finally after a few seconds the toe burst releasing a large amount of glowing blue fluid which burned away form the intense magical discharge. The heat from Tempest's attack was so intense it immediately soldered the wound shut leaving a burnt nub where the toe once was on the Ursas paw.

The pain caused to the Ursa was enough to send it into a short retreat. It whimpered nursing it's injured paw. Tempest gave the bear no quarter. “Get back here you beast!” She yelled giving chase.
Again her horn powered up and just as before she ran up to the Usa. Only this time she stomped the ground activating her hip placed grappling hooks. She fired one at a nearby building and activated the winch that retracted the cord. Using this she propelled herself into the air. Once she gained enough momentum and height she tapped her armor plate to release the cord. A loud snap resonated from her armor as the cord whipped off to the side and her hip armor retracted to its original position.

Now in the air Tempest shifted her weight trying to align her hooves to the rooftop of the building she hooked to. LIke an agile cat she landed on her hooves. Able to use her momentum to keep running Tempest ran across the roof heading straight for the Ursa’s head.

The beast turned to see Tempest running towards him, but not enough time to react. Running towards him Tempest fired her last grappling hook into the scarred eye of the Ursa piercing the scarred flesh into the socket. Letting out a mighty roar the Ursa stood on his back legs flinging Tempest in the air. Spinning around in place Tempest was sent flying around in the air as she tried to draw herself in toe strike. However, she was too slow and instead was sent colliding into a stone wall of a nearby building. She quickly realized her plan had gone awry, but she had no time to do anything about it. Again the cord pulled her, and dragged her across the wall until she was flung around the side by the Ursa still spinning. Again she was sent flying into another stone wall. This one she left a sizable imprint on it, then she went for another ride. This repeated three times until she finally managed to release the cord from her left hip armor plate and went flying across the street. When she finally touched down her face was first to meet the ground. Her face dragged along the dirt road leaving a long trail behind her for several meters before she finally stopped. Her rump in the air fell unceremoniously to the ground with a clatter from all her armor, and she grunted rubbing her very sore head.

She lifted her head from the dirt, which was filled to completely with dirt and rock that her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunks. She spit the dirt and rocks out awhile her mane dangled over her face. Her mohawk lost if stiffness and the back portion was cut short altogether. She really liked her mane that way, but there was no use crying over it. After all she was too busy trying to not cry in pain over her aching body.

She rolled on her back feeling that familiar soreness overcome her once again. She was really putting her body through its paces. Now she may have pushed it too far. Her muscles burned as she tried with all her might to roll over on her back. It seemed to take everything she had to do just that. She stared at her adversary stumbled around until he tripped over a building and crushing it under his massive body. Tempest sorely hoped nobody was in it, but given how often Ursas frequency nearby she was sure there wasn’t.

Still she watched and was unable to move. Her prolonged battle with him left her body broken and injured beyond most. If it hadn’t been for her years of training and her armor she was sure it have been out of the fight long ago. She scoffed and made a mental note to see her armorer if she survived. And as the Ursa stood back up and turned slowly to face her, that seemed more a fleeting thought by the second. He snarled stomping forward and loomed over Tempest’s broken body. She struggled to move, but her body simply refused to budge. She was fatigued from injure, and magical exhaustion. A combo that has always proven to be a unicorns greatest adversary.

The Ursa snarled as blue blood oozed from his injured eye. Tempest made a scoff and grinned at him. “Heh, you simple beast,” She gasped. “Now we're even… *Cough!* Ugh, come on then, I don’t have all day.”

She barely managed to speak but through her pain she managed to say those few words to her rival. As if understanding and simply wanting to be rid of her, the Ursa opened his maw wide and roared. His hot breath stank of rot and his teeth were as yellow as Tempest remembered as a filly.
Suddenly she felt the bear bite down around her midsection. Her armor plates protected her to some degree, but the unprotected portions did nothing to stop the sharp teeth. She felt the teeth dig deep inside her gut and back as the ursa swung her around like a ragdoll and flung her across the sky. Tempest flew limply through the air and landed very close to her home only a stone's throw away from the pile where her aunt was partially buried.

She smiled thinking this was the end. She accepted that. At least she would be able to see her aunt soon enough. Knowing her parents, and Pinch would survive made her feel that much better. Her heart swelled knowing they’d live on and so would her friends. . . Even Trixie. She was happy that blue mare wasn’t here to see her like this. She knew she’d never hear the end of it.

“Fizzlepop! Fear not for the Great and Powerful Trixie and company are here to save you!! Rejoice!”


“Uuuuuggggghhhh… Why?” She asked to the heavens as if some greater power was conspiring to spite her at every turn. “Why, her of all ponies?”

Tempest groaned turning to face the azure mare standing over her. Close behind was Starlight Glimmer and Maud. Each looking rather confident, minus Maud who had her usual blank stare. However the grey mare did offer a small reassuring smile down to Tempst. This put the injured unicorn at ease as they charged the Ursa.

Starlight opened up with a powerful magical barrage of magical bursts that scattered from her horn all around her. These small balls of magical energy hovered momentarily the skyrocketed up in the air and fell down like rain on top of the Ursa’s head. Each impact left a small burst of violet energy explosions all around the Uras.

Once the barrage was done Trixie came in and threw a hoof full of smoke bombs that exploded into a dark cloud around the Uras eyes. Blinded the giant bear stumbled around, crashing into buildings in a rage.

Maud came up next punching her front hooves into a large jagged stone. Her hooves went a few inches deep in the rock which made Tempest turn her head. She watched as the earth pony mare lifted the rock overhead and aimed it like a javelin at the Ursa. Tempest felt her cheeks heat up at the show of might. That mare is something else. Standing on her back legs Maud put all her strength into pushing the rock full force sending it through the air. Like a professional lancer the sharp rock flew true and hit the target square in the forehead. The Ursa roared covering its face and fell over backwards on its back smashing a whole house completely.

With a moment of peace the three mares gathered around Tempest like a shield. Maud and Starlight stood side by side like two sentries, while Trixie leaned down to help Tempest. The azure unicorn gently lifted the injured mare making her sit upright enough to give her some water from a canteen she had under her cape.

“Here, drink this.”

Tempest nodded and took a sip of the water from the canteen. She felt the water work its magic over her dry throat.

“Thanks,” She said begrudgingly to her blue friend.

It was so odd to think that at a time like this, but Tempest couldn’t help but think. In some odd fashion this was Trixie’s redemption for her. Here she was facing the Ursa that crippled her all those years ago. Only this time she had Trixie, Maud and Starlight at her side. Somehow she felt things were looking up.

Tempest was shaking from her thoughts when the Ursa roared loudly. It rolled over on its side and stood up right. It used its paws to smash the broken pieces of the house it landed on to dust under its might and weight. The force shook the ground around him and Tempest felt a shiver go down her spine. Trixie tried to drag her away throwing more smoke bombs to cover her retreat. However, the Ursa saw the attack come. It lifted its massive paw to intercept the smoke bombs protecting his eyes.

The attack thwarted the cosmic bear swung its mighty paw towards the group. Maud quickly jumped up and stomped back on the ground. The ground under her cracked and split into a symmetrical circle shape which Starlight used her magic to lift. A huge chunk of earth was flung into the paw while simultaneously Starlight put up a protective barrier and braced herself for a huge impact.

The bears powerful paw shattered the earth to tiny pieces. It seemed to have little effect on the Ursas paw, and Starlight redoubled her power output into the shield barrier to help reinforce it. Tempest watched helplessly while Starlights barrier stopped the ursas attack. Its sharp claw tips piercing through the barrier, but still being repelled from the initial penetration. Trixie gently rested Tempest on the ground again and ran up to add her own magical power to the barrier. Maud stood by  Tempest and allowed the two unicorns to do their thing.

Tempest felt a small ping of guilt in her heart after seeing the others charge in her place. Sure they were scared, but they acted so bravely. So fully drive and determination the likes she’d never seen until she met Princess Twilight Sparkle and her entourage.

Now, here lay Tempest at her most vulnerable hour, and her friends came to help her out when she needed it most. Not for fame, glory, or bragging rights, although Trixie might be the only exception, but Tempest dared not deny they could have run. They could have left her. Boysenberry could have abandoned her a second time, but she didn’t. No, Trixie stayed. She was no longer Boysenberry. Tempest looked up and saw the azure unicorn struggling to help Starlight hold up the barrier. The sharpe piercing claws dug deep through the barrier. Bit by bit, closer, and closer, they came to breaking through. Those menacing claws. Despite knowing that Trixie held true with Starlight repelling the ursa at all cost. Their bodies were layered in sweat and dirt. Trixie’s cape was now torn and messy, and Starlight was covered in dirt splotches all over her body. Even Maud was filthy, but that was more her own doing than the bears. It filled Tempest with an odd sense of joy knowing they were here for her. They were here for each other.

They were indeed true friends.

While deep in thought the world around her shattered like fragile glass. The barrier held up by Trixie and Starlight burst into magical fragments that disintegrated to magical dust around them. The paw that was held back came full force. Starlight managed to teleport away, but Trixie was struck full on. She screamed. Her side was torn by the sharp claws ripping through her flesh and cape. She grabbed hold of herself as if it would protect her from being further harmed, as she was flung through the air.

Starlight appeared right next to Maud who was running after her friend. The Ursa saw her and swung again at the grey pony. Maud tried to brace for it to soften the blow. But even she can’t stop a creature that size from its attack. When the paw collided with Maud’s arms she did manage to stop him for a brief second. But that success was fleeting when Maud was overpowered by the Ursa. It’s blue bleeding face contorted with rage as he roared pushing with all his might and sent Maud flying too. The poor grey mare landed very near Trixie who was limp and unmoving. Breathing but most likely unconscious.

Starlight steadfast as the ursa approached. It’s eyes fixated on Tempest. Deep down the broken unicorn knew what it wanted. He wanted to settle their score. Starlights horn began to glow brightly, but Tempest placed a hoof on her back and gently guided her away. The ursa loomed over them as a dark cloud began to form around the town. Tempest chuckled.

“Wow, it’s almost as if nature itself is telling me of your might, beast,” She said to the Ursa.

The cloud spread over the area quickly. It's dark smoldering brown color filled the sky and a loud boom was heard within. Both bear and unicorn started each other down. Neither blinked. Neither moved a muscle. A strong gust of wind blew through town causing Tempest’s short mane and tail to flutter in the wind. The Ursa bared his teeth. He stood up on his back legs bringing his front paws up intent to smash Tempest once and for all. Tempest lowered her body getting ready to side roll out of the way. Her horn charged up with what little strength she had left ready to finish this in one last attack. Maud was standing on the other side of the Ursa with Trixie laying on her back and made no effort to stand between them. She knew this wasn’t her fight anymore.

Time seemed to slow down as the Ursa’s paws descended down towards Tempest. She kept her eyes on the claws as they inched closer and closer. She had to wait until the time was right or she risked giving the bear enough time to readjust his attack to strike her after she moved. When the paws we're almost halfway down she tried to make her move. However her legs gave in and refused to move. She collapsed on her back legs barely standing with her two front ones. She struggled to stand let alone be able to move to dodge the attack. Starlight instinctively jumped in front of her ready to protect her friend from the bears attack.

Starlight erected another magical barrier. Immediately it cracked under the Ursa’s attack. the semi bubble barrier barely holding up against the attack. The Ursa then began a flurry of blows with both paws. Swinging left then right with each paw striking the barrier with a constant steady rhythm. Starlight could barely hold him back and Tempest found herself thinking about her life once again as she forced herself up on all four hooves. Each swipe from the Ursa against the barrier cracked it more and more. Starlights struggle was more evident with each blow as she seemed to crumple more and more each blow as if they were against her physically. Strike after strike, blow after blow, the barrier cracked until it finally shattered, and Starlight collapsed with a yelp. She fell at Tempest’s side her horn sizzling from magical burnout.

The Ursa raised his paw on strike again. This time he would finish it with one blow. In seconds Maud was at their side. She discarded Trixie on the ground quickly and stood on her back legs taking up an aggressive fighting pose. Her front legs were up like pillars and she waited until the ursa swung his paw down at them. Bringing her right leg back Maud punched straight into the blue furred paw with the force of a avalanche. The impact of these two forces sent a shockwave all around them, kicking up dust all around them. The impact stopped both praties dead in their tracks and Maud made a desperate struggle against the Ursas might arm. For several seconds Maud struggled against the paw, then slowly she began to lose the stalemate. The paw pushed her inch by inch and Tempest could see Maud was struggling and was about to lose. The claws loomed over them like sharp executioners ready to take all four of their lives for past crimes. Almost fitting considering what three of them had done in the past.

Funny. When life seems to go your way, it always seems to throw a curveball at you. Tempest thought to herself. She was ready to accept this fate. This was the end. No matter what she did or what she tried this struggle was probably going to be her last. She held Trixie in her arms glancing up at Maud and then back at Starlight who seem to be at a loss. She glanced up at Maud last. The mare exhumed strength. Raw unhindered, limitless it seemed. She was the strongest. Not because she could stop and ursa’s attack, or that she could literally break the earth with her bare hooves.

No….

Tempest now knew what real strength was. It was this. The bonds that kept them together. What drew them together. The unbreakable red thread of destiny that binds the world together. Tempest Pulled Trixie and Starlight close to her chest. She leaned down to whisper into Trixie’s ear, “I forgive you, Boysenberry.”

If Trixie was able to hear her she gave no indication she did. She just lay there silent. Her own sign she was alive was the steady rising of her chest and the gentle beating of her heart. Maud panted and fell on her stomach in front of her friends. Her front legs were bruised dark purple and blue and she had deep cuts all over her. In the end the ursa came out on top.

Tempest managed to catch the collapsing Maud into her arms. Tempest braced the three mares around her. This was it there was no fight left in any of them. The Ursa had finally worn them down. Tempest sighed in resignation accepting this was their last stand. It gave her some comfort to know the town had been evacuated and escaped the Ursa. As the foul beast readied to finish them off there was a loud bang noise and the rattling of chains. In seconds the Ursa was bound in shins. His front paws were pierced by large grappling hook attached to chains that seemed to come from the clouds in four directions.

The bear glanced at his chains and roared tugging at them but was held in place. The chains pulled tightly against him in all direction keeping his paws in the air. Before Tempest could make sense of what was happening there was the loud sound of a horn blowing that echoed over the land. From the clouds she looked up and saw four airships slowly inch out from the clouds. Two were smaller airships from the Storm King armada she lead when she invaded Equestria. It was lead by two other ships she was familiar with. One long golden ship with a bow of a parrot belongs to those pirates she met when searching for Princess Twilight. The last was a larger ship to the Storm Kings fleet, her ship. It’s long surradded bow pierced through the clouds like a sword cutting through a dark beast and blew away a portion of the dark mass around them. It then dawned on her why the clouds looked so odd. It was the smoke exhaust from the airships. Each of the ship's bow grappling hooks held the Ursa in place as the retracted closing in on the beast who struggled against his captors.

She squinted at the lead ship, the Huracan, and saw a small familiar outline of a tiny creature she recognized anywhere. His tiny fat grey body and that annoying spike hair-do he had to imitate Tempest were hard to miss. Especially since he was leaning over the railing of the ship and waving to her.

“Grubber.”
> The Storms End
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

High above the Ursa was Tempest Shadows ship, the Huracan along with three other ships each with a grappling hook attached to the Ursa. Tempest was never happier to see the little glutton. Grubber was yelling down at her but he was so high up she couldn’t hear him. 

“Hey, you idiot,” She grunted under her breath. 

She felt her lip curl into a smile. She was truly happy to see him again. And now with four ships they were sure to win this fight. All they had to do was overwhelm the Ursa to frighten it away, and that’d be the end of it. 

However this will prove to be a difficult task. By their very nature Ursas are engines of destruction. It is their way to be apex predators and seek to destroy anything they thought was a threat. Thus, to frighten one away was a monumental task; but, it was not impossible to frighten such a beast. After seeing the Ursa in actual battle, Tempest knew her original plan would no longer cut it. Instead she watched as the beast resisted the chains that held it in place. The airships circling around clockwise several times effectively retraining it. Tempest knew those chains wouldn’t last long. She had to come up with a plan and quickly. 

She quickly surveyed her surroundings. There was nothing but the town, the forest, and the ships. Nothing that she could really use to any effect against the Ursa. She then noticed far down the street her father was running towards her as fast as he could. The age old stallion had an odd limp to his step. He approached Tempest slowing down a ways away leaving Tempest to close the gap. 

“Father! Is the explosive barrels ready?” She asked pulling him into a dark alley. 

The aged old stallion painted catching his breath. He smiled nodding his head to his daughter. “Yes, the trap is ready, but how does this help us?” He asked. 

“Ursas have sensitive hearing. A loud enough noise can overwhelm them and send them fleeing to safety,” Tempest said looking back at the Ursa. “We need to get it to the barrels and set them off.”

“You really think this will work, kiddo?”

Tempest smiled patting her fathers back. She nuzzled his cheek feeling a deep heat in her cheeks. “Don’t worry dad, with my ship here I guarantee we can get rid of that beast.” She said with the utmost confidence. A sudden earth shattering roar made both ponies jump. 

“No time right now father, we need to act fast! The ships won’t last long against the Ursa!” 

“Right, what do you need me to do?”

Tempest glance up at the bear monster, taking two steps forward with shaking legs. She wasn’t afraid, she was far past that point, but she was shaken with fatigue. She wouldn’t last much longer in her current condition. When she did her sip began to descend towards her. She could make out the figure of Grubber barking orders to the Storm Guards pointing in Tempest Shadow’s direction.

She turned to her saeed father. “Gather the fastest of the village and have them search all the houses towards the explosives. I don’t want any casualties if this goes wrong.”

Merlot saluted giving his daughter one last big hug. Tempest was about to say something, but she held it in and sighed. She patted her fathers back embracing him gently so not to hurt him with her armor. Before parting Merlot pressed his muzzle against Tempest’s cheek and ran off int oth etown again. 

By now the Huracan was at ground level. A larger portion of the hull collapsed and fell to the ground making a loud thud noise revealing to be a ramp. From deep within the ship two Storm Guards with pink highlights wielding shields and spear ran down and knelt at Tempest. Grubber stumbled close beinhd. Tempest watched counting his steps as he ran clumsily towards her. Halfway down she counted under her breath starting from five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

On que the fat hedgehog tripped over his own feet and rolled down the ramp screaming for dear life. He rolled all the way down until he hit the dirt road where he skidded face first stopping right between the two Storm Guards with a loud squeak. Tempest quirked her brow at the humiliating display before grinning and letting out a gentle chuckle. The Storm Guards rose and lifted Grubber upsetting him back on his feet as he dusted himself off.

“Commander!” Grubber saluted along with the two guards. “We are here and ready to assist!”

Tempest only stared at him for a moment before her eyes went over her two guards. 

“Well, don’t just stand there you three! We have a twin to save!” She looked at the two Guards and nodded to the left one. “Send a message to the fleet to drag the Ursa to the East side of town. There should be several large barrels at the edge of town. Drop the Ursa there and retreat. I will take the Huracan and ready the cannons to blow the barrels, so we can scare off the Ursa.”

Tempest marched up the ships ramp with the Guards at her side and Grubber right next to her. When they reached the interior Tempest looked around to see .The round room was as she remembered it. A large circular room in the dead center of the ship with the engines to the right and hot smoldering vents underneath shooting steam up from time to time. The ship rumbled and the two Storm Guards left her side to head topside. Tempest marched briskly with Grubber through until they reached the stairwell that the Storm Guards went up and followed. The clanking of Tempest's metal boots echoed through the empty interior and made her look up at the ceiling. There she saw the cage where she kept Princess Twilight when she was still loyal to the Storm King

She snorted at the sight of the offensive cage thinking of the yetis betrayal and how it lead to his demise. True, the old her reveled in his ultimate doom, but such thoughts were poison according to Princess twilight and one should do their best to keep such thoughts out.

But Tempest loved this one so much that she kept it tucked away in the deepest recesses of her mind. 

She also made a mental note to get rid of the cage at some point. Maybe reforge it into something more practical? The two marched up the stairs when suddenly the shop pitched hard nearly making them fall forward. From behind the hull of the Huracan was pierced through by the sharp point of another ships bow. The sharp edge cut right through the stairs beneath Tempest and Grubber missing them only by a few steps, with a long link of chain hanging among the wreckage and broken bow.  

Tempst grabbed Grubber by the nape of his neck with her mouth and tossed him on her back. She then sprinted up the last few steps and reached the top side of the ship. Grubber jumped off and ran back around the porthole and scrambled onto a box to look over the side of the ship. Tempest saw clear as day from where she stood that one of the ships was thrown into the side of her ship. 

The Storm Guards were running around trying to dislodge the ship while working with the other ships crew. The Ursa was now partially free with one paw still being held by the chains of the two other ships. The two ships that still had the Ursa chained shifted directions to head towards the designated area, however the Ursa stay planted firmly in place. Tempest saw her guards struggling to dislodge the other airship form their port. With an annoyed grunt she rushed forward and jumped over the edge of the Hurricane and onto the other ships bow. She landed firmly between a whole group of guards and glared at them. She didn’t have any ill intentions for them, she just glared hatefully at everything when she was extremely tired. Combined with her impatience to see her aunt again she hastily stepped onto the bow of the ship and lowered her head. 

Closing her eyes she charged her broken horn letting a small amount of controlled power flow to the jagged edge. She only allowed it to charge a small amount, without her full horn to help regulate the flow the magical discharge always came out as raw unhindered power. To compensate and have some amount of control she had to usually focus, and concentrate on the amount of amna she applied to her horn. Doing this, she leaned her head forward more aiming the horn at the broad side of her ship and released a small controlled blast rom it. The magic flowed out like a lightning bolt striking the hull and blasting a larger hole in the side. 

Once the hole was made the Storm Guard on the helm reversed the ships engines. The two ships tugged the stress of the metal and wood creaking and clanking as the bow of the smaller ship slowly ripped free from the Huracan leaving a gaping hole in its side. The entry ramp was partially carved into the hull and very much out of commission until it was replaced. The metal frame of the Huracan survived but was also out of shape from the impact of the small ship. The wood interior however was completely destroyed and the metal outer hull was ripped inward through three of the four decks. 

The ships slowly drifted apart pieces of debris fell free from both ships to the ground below. The smaller ship Tempest was on lost its entire bow which broke off and dropped from the ship. The damage was enough that the grappling hook also fell freely to the ground completely unwinding in the process. The smaller ship now had the full chain dragging behind them. 

In its struggle to break free the Ursa stepped onto the sharp hook and it got lodged into the bears under paw. Roaring in pain the beast fell over tugging the ships with it. The Pirate ship scrapped into the side of the second ship next to it and both detached their grappling hooks  setting the Ursa free. This is bad, if we don’t end this now the Ursa will rampage back towards the town. Tempest thought worryingly. 

Running to the back of the airship she was on she came to a halt near a few of her Storm Guards. 

“Get the canons ready! Bring the ship about to strafe the Ursa!” She ordered.

With a hasty salute the guards all scattered to do various tasks. Most went under the hull while some remained above preparing for damage control. The hellmans adjusted the airships course lowering their altitude and slightly on angle to strafe the Ursa, but this put them within reach of the bears massive size. 

The ship strafed the Ursa as the canons popped out one by one on both sides of the ship. Each side had five canons now ready to fire. The ship came within inches of the beast, and Tempest met its eyes with hers. For a brief moment, she felt a shiver go through her body. Then she closed her eyes, breathing in a deep calming breath that steadied her body.

Then with one word all hell broke loose. 

“Fire!”

In seconds of her scream the canons burst to life. Each one of five firing in sequence like a well choreographed stunt, one after another in perfect sync. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and then the ship was past the Ursa and circling back.

The massive beast itself groaned in pain, large scorch marks now burned into it dark fur. From above the Huracan came down to assist. The Huracan strafed the Ursa in the opposite direction forcing it to split its attention between the two ships. In the confusion the beast turned to swing its paws wildly at both ships but missed both. Under the volley of fire, and the two ships it had trouble focusing on one target. 

The second wave of cannon fire blasting against the Ursa’s hide left the smell of singed hair in the air. Tempest was able to smell it even as they flew past the beast. It was barely noticeable, but only small patches of the dark fr were missing, in contrast to the large areas of scorched fur. 

Thankfully before releasing the Ursa the airships managed to get him near the target site where Tempest’s father, Merlot, had gathered all the explosive barrels at the edge of town.However it was still too far away from the barrels to make the trap effective. If this was going to work, Tempest knew they’d have to go all out.

“Helmsman, circle the beast! Canons prepare for continuous fire!” 

The Storm Guard at the helm did as he was told. Bringing the ship to a wide turn he aligned the ships port side to face the Ursa as he circled around it. Tempest waited for a moment seeing everything fall into place. The initial attack had to be perfectly timed. Once the ship was aimed and the canons ready, Tempest gave the order to fire.

A slower but continuous barrage of cannon fire erupted from the ships broadside. The sounding and explosions were focused on the feet of the blue bear and caused it to tumble over itself and roll over into a small building. The building was crushed instantly under the weight of the hulking beasts body. Tempest watched as the ships circled overhead with the Hurricane right across the skyway circling with them giving the Ursa their own barrage of fire. 

For over a good solid minute this continued one until one stray shot hit the barrels causing them to explode in a fireball of destruction. The heat generated from all this was enough to heat the surrounding area to feel like a scorching hot day. The sounds and force of the explosion shattered the windows to shatter for a entire block around the epicenter. Fire slithered over the entirety of the Ursa, and was gone in a flash. The result was an Ursa Major sroched black and sore, its ears folded back with a clear look of pain across its face.

The animal struggled to get its footing, but when it did it made a beeline back towards the forest from whence it came. It trampled over a building or two along the way, but the evacuation was already done so nopony would have been harmed anyway. Regardless, Tempest breathed a sigh of relief thankful that it was over. 

She slumped down resting her wearing chin on the railing and stood limply in place. Her ship the Huracan came to hover side by side with them. Grubber was there and jumped from the ship landing right next to Tempest on the railing, almost losing his balance in the process. 

“Whew, that was a cloth one, eh, Tempest?” He said nudging the tired mare next to him. 

Tempest gave the hedgehog a nasty glare making him shuffle his feet nervously. Quickly he jumped off the railing and sat next to the unicorn as she slumped down beside him. She rolled over to lean her back against the railing of the ship and slumped her shoulder lazily. Grubber wiped his brow and glanced over to Tempest, fiddling with his tiny claws. 

“So… that was quite a thing…” He said awkwardly. 

Tempest glared at him again. Before he could react he was shot point blank by Tempest Shadows unhindered magical surge form her horn. The poor creature yelled in agony until the surge stopped and he was left charred black. With a huff he smiled looking back at Tempest.

“Nice to see you too.” Then he passed out. 

Tempest chuckled slumping over him and used him as a pillow.

“Nice to see you too.”
> Aftermath of the Storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a somber feeling in the town following the Ursa’s defeat. The fleet had docked at the outskirts of the town in the aftermath of the Ursa attack. Having sustained a insurmountable amount of damage from the giant beast the ships were deemed to unsafe for flight until they were check top to bottom. The Parrot Pirates stayed behind to assist with any repairs, also they came out relatively unscaved.

Meanwhile Tempest slowly made her way back home. The town ponies were eager to return home after the attack. Some were distressed to see their homes in ruins, but the kindly ways of the town ponies offered their homes to those without one. Tempest could see the unity this town had. It was at such times of great peril that really brought them together and made them work together to overcome anything that life threw at them. 

She noticed Trixie, Starlight, and Maud were also helping itn the town. She noticed that Trixie seemed to be taking charge of gathering ponies up and helping them move to new locations if they lost their homes. Maud was helping remove debris while Starlight assisted with the really heavy lifting. She had also ordered her Storm Guards to assist with the towns repairs in the meantime. Grubber was in charge of repairing the ships along with the pirate parrots. 

The night moon shone brightly over the small town. The fight with the Ursa had taken a long time to settle, but all was at peace. All the residents were settling in, the animals were no longer restless, and Tempest was ready herself to hit the hay. First though, she needed to see if her aunt was okay. 

She sluggishly wandered back home where she saw the side of the house was still in ruins. She climbed through the rubble careful not to slip on the loose stones under her boots. Even with the extra grip form the boots she found it difficult to navigate through the rubble. She pressed on and eventually reached the interior free of loose debris, stone, and wood. 

The house seemed empty. There was no candle light, no fire in the fireplace, and even the lights were off. Though admittedly in her tired state she had her eyes fixated on the road until she reached the house, it was possible her family was upstairs. In this small village there was no hospital, so the doctors and nurses made house calls whenever there was an injury. Tempest hoped her aunt was okay. If she needed real medical attention it was a long trip back to anyplace with a hospital. And with the fleet in shambles the risk of losing not only her aunt, but an entire crew with her was took much of a risk. Having taken the time to really think of how dire the situation was she felt a tightness in her chest. The same tightness one felt when faced with an overwhelming sense of dread. The fear was so intense that tempest was almost too afraid to seek the truth of her aunts condition. What if she had perished? What would she do? What would Pinch do without her mother? Sure, the family would happily take her in, but no foal should be without their parent. 

Tempest had to shake off these feelings and smacked her face once with her good hoof to psyche herself up. She had to search the house and see if her aunt was okay. Fear of the truth or not, Berry Punch was family. Her family. She had to make sure she was alright. 

Tempest took a single step forward and proceeded slowly upstairs to the second floor. The heavy weight of her armor made the aged wood floors creak under her with each step. She slowly moved up the stairs, step by step, being as stealthy as possible. When Tempest reached the top of the stairs she saw a small glow from one of the rooms down the hall. It was her room. 

She walked forward but heard nothing. The door to her room was slightly ajar with the light glowing from a small candle no doubt inside. Tempest steeled her heart and inhaled a deep breath mentally preparing herself for whatever was beyond the door. 

Clenching her eyes shut she stepped forward and gently pushed the door open with her head. The door slowly swings open with a gentle squeaking from the old hinges. Peering inside Tempest saw all her belongings were right where she left them, save for the fact her bed was occupied. 

Tempest saw gasped and walked inside to stand next to the bed. There laying silently on her back was her Aunt Berry Punch. Tempest looked over her Aunt, covered by a thick blanket with several bandages around her head and shoulders. She had several cuts and a badly bruise nose, but she was breathing and very much alive. Breathing a sigh of relief Tempest looked down at her blanket seeing it slowly rise and lower in synch with her breathing. Feeling a huge sense of relief Tempest undid her armor and placed it at the foot of the bed. She took great care not to make too much noise out of fear of waking her injured aunt. 

Once the armor is off she slipped out of her rash guard and tiptoed out of the room and into the bathroom down the dark hallway. Quietly as possible she crept in the darkness like a shadow making out a peep aside from the floors creaking with each step she took. 

The shadow slinked into the bathroom closing the door behind her and locking it securely. The distinct sound of the mechanical locking gears cut through the ambient silence like a knife but was quick to die out leaving only the silent night in its aftermath.

Tempest sighed flexing her shoulders hearing and feeling her joints crack and loosen after the horrendous day with the ursa. She stepped towards the mirror and heaved her body to lay her front hooves on the counter. She looked over her image in the mirror. What she saw was an awfully battered mane that was cut ugly by the ursa, dirt and sweat covered her fur, and she had dark bags under her eyes so thick it could have been mistaken for mascara. Feeling disgusted with herself she glared into her reflections eyes as if telling it off. Then, with a haughty huff she turned her nose up and walked into the shower. It was as simple shower tub hybrid with a frosted glass sliding door and a handle bar to hang a towel. On the towel that was there for her to use was a seafoam green one with a blue seahorse like creature with deep magenta eyes smiling and waving its tiny fin. Tempest slid the door and turned the see through mob of the faucet to cold.Tugging it with her hoof she pulled it outwards and the rush of water poured at her hooves. Pulling a second tiny spigot type leaver the shower head started to rain cold water over her body. 

The cold water was what she needed. She felt tired even more as the cold water poured over her. To help stand she braced the left side of her body against the wall while she bathed. Slowly she scrubbed the dirt and sweat from her fur with soap, and then she rinsed all that off. She repeated twice more to make sure she got every inch of her body. 

It was therapeutic for her. As if she were washing the days aches away down to her very soul. Mother was right, a good bath or shower is good for the soul. She thought to herself. After washing herself down one last time she moved onto her mane. She washed her newly trimmed mane twice over making sure to use extra conditioner after her unwanted trim. 

Once she felt her fur and mae were clean enough she turned the shower off and stood in the tub for a good minute. All she thought about was what happened today. The ursa, her friends, Grubber, her aunt. She had just realized she could have lost it all and there would have been nothing she could do about it.

“I really am powerless no matter what I do,” She mumbled to herself lowering her head. 

Taking her right hoof she clenched it into a small almost fist and smashed it against the wall. She didn’t care if she awoke anypony in the home, she was too disappointed with herself to care. Frustrated she got out of the shower and slowly dried herself off with the seahorse towel. She was so exhausted it took her over ten minutes to dry herself. Her aching body slowed her down and she felt very stiff like she was turning into a solid piece of rock. Her legs felt heavy and sluggish, her response time was way off. Once sufficiently dry Tempest made her way back to her room not bothering to stay quiet for she was too tired to care at this point. 

All she wanted was to fall asleep in her bed and not wake up for two whole days. Walking back to her room she then thought of the most obvious problem. She didn’t have a place to sleep. Her Aunt Berry Punch was in her bed and the spare bedroom was a pile of rubble now. 

Her bed was still big enough for her to sleep in but with her aunt it might be a bit cramped for them. Not that she’d have to worry about that since she’d be out like rock. She pushed open the door to her room and entered taking care not to wake her aunt. She stopped right next to the bed looking over her aunts sleeping form. Despite everything that happened she was smiling in her sleep, no doubt happy to be alive after the ursa attack. 

Tempest leaned over and gentle pressed her nose against her aunt’s cheek nuzzling her. Berry Punch moaned softly and rolled over giving Tempest plenty of room to sneak under the blankets with her. Tempest lifted the sheets with her nose and slipped under them and brought herself to rest against Berry’s back. 

Now snug in bed Tempest rested on her belly and rested her chin on Berrys shoulder. Closing her eyes Tempest barely registered a few soft words from her aunt as sleep overtook her.

“Welcome home, my little grapevine.”
> Nuzzles and Cuddles
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tempest slept like a rock. Comfy and nestled by her aunt she enjoyed feeling the warmth of her aunt for the first time since she was a filly. However something was amiss. There was something digging into her side. A heavy weight that normally wasn’t there. 

She opened her eyes to see what was there, but somehow she managed to get her head under the covers too. She managed to see her aunts back in her face. She scooted up and poked her nose from under the covers. Her jagged horn caught the edge of the covers and snagged. She shook her head to get them off. She was thankful her aunt didn’t wake up as she looked over the covers at the dead weight that was on her side. 

There snuggled up on her was Berry Pinch curled up like a cat. Snuggled in a pink blanket the filly was snoozing away quietly with Tempest Shadow's old hedgehog plush toy in her arms. Tempest shook her head smiling at the filly.

She watched as Pinch rolled over on her back, but fell off Tempest’s side and nearly fell off the bed. Pinch was now on her back, still snoring away, exposing her fluffy underbelly with the plush toy on her midsection. The chest fur was puffed giving it a fluffy look. Tempest couldn’t help but admit how cute she looked. Then she looked down at her own chest seeing the same thing was happening to her fur. A large patch of fur was standing making it look like she had chest fluff too. She wondered if she could use this to catch someone's eye. Her thought was interrupted when Berry Pinch rolled over again and fell off the bed. 

Thanks to her quick reaction speed, Tempest managed to catch the filly mid air. The sudden fall and jolt from being caught didn’t even awaken the filly. This surprised Tempest, She must have been tired. The mare pulled the filly close holding her against the soft fur of her own chest. Tempest rested her chin on Pinch’s head then nuzzled her. Pinch responded by giving a smile in her sleep and gentle rubbing the mare back with her nose. 

Tempest let out a soft giggle. Her grip on the filly tightened slightly as she rolled on her back keeping Pinch on her chest. Pinch rolled on her side and used the plush toy as a pillow. Curled up once again she continued to sleep undisturbed by what happened to her. 

Tempest ran her hoof through Pinch’s soft rosey two toned mane. The silky smooth feeling of it felt nice on her aching hoof. Tempest made a mental note to try and remember to get a hoof massage at some point in the near future. That aside she pulled the blanket to cover Pinch which made her tiny smile grow wider.

“Thanks, Tempest,” She said lazily in her sleep. 

The dark unicorn nodded feeling her eyes grow heavy and she laid back and rested her head against the pillow. Just as sleep was about to claim her she felt a wet sensation on her right cheek and something warm. She opened her right scared eye to see her aunt smiling at her. Her bandages clear as day, but she was happily smiling nonetheless. Tempest turned her head to face her aunt fully. 

“Morning sleepy head.” Berry Punch said to her. “Sleep well?”

She nodded. “I did, Auntie. How are you feeling?”

Tempest rubbed a hoof over one of her aunts bandaged legs. The older mare smiled at her and nuzzled her cheek and ruffling Tempest’s mane with her good hoof. 

“I’m doing fine you rascal. Always looking for trouble.” Berry Punch said jokingly to her niece. 

Tempest growled playfully and pushed her aunt back against the wall form under the covers. She took care not to disturb Pinch who was nestled in her legs and was purring?

Tempest lifted the covered to see Pinch indeed was purring in her arms. Tempest smiled warmly at the sleeping filly Berry Punch nuzzled Tempest looking at her daughter. She reached under the covered and gently stroked Pinch’s mane with the edge of her hoof. The ruby filly rolled on her side like a cat, smiling and wagging her tail. 

“Aww, my little ruby loves her cousin. Aren't you two just precious?” Berry Punch teased her niece with a nudge of her elbow. 


Tempst wanted to reply with a witty comment, but because it was early in the morning she didn’t care to. So, she slowly rolled out of bed and was careful not to drop her cousin. Once free from the bed sheets she gave Pinch one last nuzzle and gave her to her aunt. Berry Punch took her daughter in her arms from Tempest kissing her forehead and petting her mane. 

Tempest recovered both of them and adjusted her Aunt’s pillows for her to which Berry Punch smiled and reached her hoof with her own. Tempest stopped and allowed her Aunt to stroke her hoof. She returned the gesture by holding the mulberry hoof between hers and stroking it. 

“Thanks for helping save the town, Tempest.” Berry Punch said softly to her.

“Don’t worry, Auntie. It wasn’t anything to write home about. It was a team effort.”

Berry giggled wincing from a slight pain in her chest.

“Well, in either case I’m just glad you made it back this time. I was afraid I’d lose you again; or worse I could have lost my little filly,” Berry Punch said behind teary eyes. “If you hadn’t face that,” She sniffled and tried to regain her composure. “That beast, I could have lost… I could have lost it all. My daughter, your mother, father, or I could have lost you…”

Tempest felt her heart sink. It was as if someone took lead and forced her to drink a whole gallon of it. She felt a tightness in her chest and she too felt a slight buildup of tears in her eyes. She shook her head trying to be strong and wiped her tears away. No, I won’t cry in front of anyone! She thought steeling herself. But seeing her broken Aunt holding her daughter in her arms was almost too much for even a hardened veteran like her. 

She may have toppled kingdoms, scowled in the face of danger before punching it in the face, and used her raw power and strength to force her will unto others, but even she couldn’t deny the deep feelings of her heart. For so long she caged up her emotions and kept her cold heartless demeanor. All of it was a shield to protect herself from the harshness of the world, to avoid being hurt. To this end she never tried to grow attach to anyone or anything, other than her obsession with getting her horn back. 

For so long her one obsession was to become whole by getting what she lost all those years ago. But now, at this very moment, she realized what she truly lost; and what she really needed was what she left behind all those years ago. It wasn’t her horn she needed, it was her family. Her friends. Family that she turned her back on. Friends she shunned and loathed for her deformation. In this one moment in seeing her Aunt break down before her, and holding her foal in her arms, it broke the walls she built around her heart. With the toppling of these cold hard wall came clarity of heart and mind for Tempest. 

She truly had everything she needed and she left it all behind for the wrong reasons. Seeing her aunt in such a broken state she couldn’t help but try and comfort her. Slowly Tempest slid back on the bed and scooted close to her sobbing aunt. She reached for her but stopped just short of touching her, when Berry Punch suddenly lunged forward and hugged her. Even in her emotional state Berry Punch was careful not to crush Pinch between them. 

To Tempest’s amazement the filly didn’t even bat an eyelash despite her mother's sobbing. All Tempest could think to do was wait and hold her aunt for the time being. It was good too. She needed this as much as she did. 

Once more they shared a bond that only grew with this rollercoaster of an emotional encounter. After a good minute of crying in her arms, Berry Punch pulled away from her niece and nuzzled her once more. She then laid back down resting Pinch on the bed next to her. The filly grunted in her sleep and kicked her legs like she was running to scoot closer to her mother's side. 

Tempest and Berry Punch watched the filly press against her mother. Berry giggled at her daughter, even Tempest managed a girly laugh. Tempest gave once last nuzzle and a kiss to her Aunt’s forehead and covered her under the blankets before leaving the room.

Careful to close the door behind her she stepped down the hall and down the stairs to the living room area. She found her mother and father sitting together on the couch, a bottle of wine open sitting on the end table and two used but empty glasses around it. There was a small red spot on the dollies on the table, and a plate with various cheese and crackers on it next to the glasses and bottle. 

The two older ponies were talking quietly as Tempest approached from behind. The creaking of the old floor boards alerted them to her presence and both turned to see her approaching.

“Oh, good morning Tempest!” Her mother greeted her. 

“Sleep well, kiddo?” Merlot added in his usual chipper voice. “Hungry? Need me to make breakfast?”

“Nah, I’m not hungry right now,” Tempest said sitting in a second couch near her parents.

The two older ponies nodded together at the same time. 

“Well, it’s good that you’re awake dear. You little friend was just telling us about his little venture in Canterlot before coming to find you” Chardonney said with a smile.

“Friend?”

Tempest then noticed her parents were looking at her. No, not at her, but past her. She turned to see a familiar figure sitting right next to her. Grubber. The small hedgehog was munching on some bread and to her disgust it was now all over her fur.

“Ugh! GRUBBER!!”

Tempest leapt from the couch and quickly rubbed the crumbs on the floor, thus earning herself a scolding from her mother.

“Fizzlepop Berry Twist! What are you doing getting that mess on my carpet!?”

“Mom! Really!? The guys a slob! Look at how he eats! It’s all over my fur!” Tempest snapped back.

“Young lady we don’t wipe crumbs on the floor.-”

“Now, now, dear remember not to be so controlling. She’s a grown mare,” Merlot said to his wife, then observing Grubber with disgust himself. “Also, he is getting food on the carpet as well.”

Yay, dad! Someone just earned himself a bunch of brownie points. Tempest thought seeing her father wink towards her. Chardonnay sighed looking at Grubber with a glint in her eyes.

“I think he’s cute! What did you say your relationship was with my daughter, Mr. Grubber?” The older mare asked wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Both Tempest and Merlot sighed, facefooved hard, and each got a glass of wine and down them in on gulp. Merlot set his glass down and glared at his wife, who for her part was either completely ignoring him or oblivious to his intense stare. He assumed the latter. 

“So, Mr. Grubber? The mare interrupted her husband. 

“Our relationship? Oh, yeah! She’s my commanding officer! Or, at least she use to be until the Storm King was defeated! Now, I’m not sure. I guess she’s still in charge,” Grubber said contemplating his position. 

Chardonney’s eyes gleamed and her cheshire smile grew wider. She glanced at Tempest who was now giving her mother a death glare. A short spark from her broken horn confirmed Chardonnays suspicions that her teasing was working. 

“Oh? Commanding officer you say? Does that mean she’s very demanding? Or would you say, dominating?” The older mare asked the obvious hedgehog.

“Oh, yes, very dominating. She always zaps me with her magic when she gets mad and sometimes she stomps on my head. Oh, there was one time she even threw me off the ship once! Good thing I landed on a ship with lots of vegetables!” Grubber laughed eating the last bite of his food. “Oh, this is good.”

Chardonnay gave her daughter a smug teasing grin that she just wanted to punch. Tempting as it was, Tempest held back the urge. She would never strike her mother even if she was the worst mother in Equestria. Still, that smug grin she was getting and Gruber's idiocy left Tempest feeling annoyed. She received a gentle pat from her father on her back and she smiled at him. They knew Chardonnay was only teasing, but the underlying reason was still the same. 

She wanted Tempest to settle down and have foals. While Tempest herself wasn’t ready for that she also didn’t have anyone in mind on who she liked. Despite what her mother wanted, it wasn’t something Tempest herself was ready for. She still needed time to sort things out for herself. First she needed to get herself situated. 

Just when she thought her mothers teasing would never end Grubber got up and wiped himself clean. The little guy hopped off the couch and waddled over to Chardonnay and shook her hoof and Merlot’s too. 

“Thanks for breakfast, it was great! We’ll be in town a while but the others want to head back to Ponyville as soon as possible.” 

Tempest watched as the little fuzzball waddled off, giving one last wave to them before disappearing out the door. Tempest shook her head and sipped her wine, but just as the glass touched her lips she realized what he had said. Ponyville. Did he just say they were going back to Ponyville?

Chardonnay smiled knowingly and poured herself another glass of wine. 

“He received a letter from Ponyville via dragonfire,” The mare said. “He and the guards will be security for Princess Twilight from now on.”

“Ah, I see.” 

Tempest stared at her wine glass observing her reflection on the dark red liquid inside. She swished the wine inside her glass and began to think about life as a guard.

“The pay’s good. Living in a castle. Serving the Princess of Friendship. I don’t know about you but that sounds like quite a challenging career. I hope the poor little guy can handle it.”

Tempest rolled her eyes sighing loudly getting a cross look from her mother. “He’ll be fine. Give the glutton cake and he’ll move the mountains for anyone.”

Once more both Tempest and her father sensed an ulterior motive behind the older mares tone. There was a hint inside the meaning of the words. They both knew what she was getting at. This time they didn’t have to guess when the mare spilled the beans herself with a unusually direct question.

“Sweet heart, do you still want to live with us and work on the family vineyard? Or would you rather work for Princess Twilight as her personal Guard?” Chardonnay asked. 

“What do you mean, Mother?” Tempest asked. 

The older mare silently reached for a rolled up parchment with said Princesses Royal Seal. Tempest broke the seal and unrolled the parchment. Inside was a short letter that read: 

Dear Tempest Shadow,

I hope your journey home wasn’t too difficult. My student Starlight Glimmer has recently sent a letter regarding your heroic actions to save your village from an Ursa Major. I hope all is well. 

When you receive this I would like you to consider becoming Commander of my own personal guard. Should you wish to accept you can send this letter back with your response attached, just see Starlight Glimmer and she’ll send it for you. Otherwise you can come back and tell me personally.

Hope this letter finds you well. Hope you family is okay.

Your friend forever,

Princess Twilight Sparkle. 


Tempest stared dumbfounded by what she’d read and could only roll up the parchment and lay it down. She then proceeded to try and drink her glass of wine, only to set it aside, reach for the whole bottle and chugged it in one go. After which she gasped for breath slamming the empty bottle down hard shaking the table it sat on with her parents looking on her with bewilderment.
> How the Storm Began Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that same day Tempest Shadow was outside in her family's vineyard watching as her ships left heading back towards Ponyville. On her back little Berry Pinch was standing propped on her head watching the massive ships leave with the exception of one ship. A large golden parrot shaped ship she knew very well. 

Tempest felt her lip curl with a tiny hint of a smile. She couldn’t help but nod in a saluting manner to the ship before turning away from it. 

“Impressive isn’t it, little one?” She asked the filly.

Pinch watched in awe nodding slowly. “Yeah. What’s it like up there?”

Tempest turned to return to work with the filly in tow. 

“It’s exhilarating at first, but once you do it for years like me it loses its charm. It is an interesting life though,” She said picking some grapes from the vines. “In fact I had run in with a group of pirates on several occasions.”

Little Pinch gasped loudly falling off Tempest on accident. The filly practically bounced back up onto her hooves and got on her hind legs to lean against Tempest’s side.

“Pirates?! Real live pirates?! You fought pirates!? Did they have bowlegs? Eye patches? Swords? What about talking parrots?” 

“Yeah, something like that,” Tempest chuckled lightly at the filly’s enthusiasm

“What were they like?” The filly asked running beside her cousin to help pick grapes.

“Well, they really weren’t much. Parrot kin pirates with hooked hands, pegged legs, and the usual,” Tempest said in a uninterested tone. “But their Captain, now she was something else.”

Berry Pinch noticed a sudden change in her cousins posture. She seems to relax and smile at the mention of this pirate captain. Was she a really good friend of hers? She wondered. No, that wasn’t possible. How could enemies become friends? Things didn’t work like that, did they? She wondered. 

They worked for a short while and Berry Pinch kept looking at Tempest wondering when she was going to tell her more about her encounters with the pirates. Were they vicious treasure hoarders, like the raccoons? Or were they like in the stories she read? She had so many questions and was literally bouncing with anticipation. Her bouncing didn’t go unnoticed by Tempest who was trying hard not to grin at the filly’s contagious enthusiasm. 

Tempest kept quiet for a good while working on the vines. After they filled the first basket they took it to the store house to keep it out of the sun. When they returned they came with two new empty baskets and started where they left off. By now an hour passed and Tempest could tell Pinch was beginning to get impatient. She kept glancing back at her clearly wanting Tempest to continue her story, but the older mare couldn’t help but tease her small cousin.

“Come on, cuz! Tell me more about the pirates now!” Pinch said scrunching her nose. “We’ve been working for an hour! Come on, tell me more about them!” She leaned up against Tempest and started trying to push her with tiny hooves. 

“Alright,” Tempest said pushing the filly on her back.

The young pny rolled over like a barrel and hopped back on her hooves. Tempest noted it was like watching a spring bounce back up after being pushed down. Not a bad analogy all things considered. The mare stopped working for after filling her basket. She laid down on her belly letting the sun bath over her. Pinch walked up beside her and laid down next to her cousin, and never lost her smile. 

“So, what do you want to hear first little one?” 

“Oh! Tell me about the captain you knew!”

“Oh? You want to hear about my rival, Captain Celaeno?” Tempest asked theatrically. “Well, I guess I could tell you how I met her.”

Berry Pinch’s eyes sparkled with wonder and awe. “Captain Celaeno?”

Tempest blushed slightly remembering the large female anthro parrot in a golden coat with a black trim. She also wore brown pants and a large hat walked up with a emerald green stone leg behind Tempest with a sword at her side. She was an icon of confidence in her mind. Very proud, strong, yet strangely graceful in her approach to things. Kinda like how she remembered Maud. Maybe that’s what I think is so attractive about them? Tempest thought to herself.

“What was she like?” Pinch asked.

Grinning Tempest looked up at the airship still anchored to the ground. A strange sense of nostalgia overcame her when she looked at the ship with a fresh set of eyes, and to the same extent Captain Celaeno. 

“She was a brave and cunning fighter si what she was,” Tempest stated. “She was level headed, confident, truthful, and never once used dirty tricks to win at fights. She always used skill and cunning to outsmart her foes, and she never once put her crew in danger she wouldn’t do herself.”

“Oh? Were you two friends?” Pinch asked.

“No,” Tempest replied shaking her head. “We were more like rivals, but that was something that developed over time. You see, back a while ago I served an evil monster called the Storm King. He ruled the southern parts of the country past the Badlands with an iron fist. Everyone who lived there was his slave doing his bidding.”

The mulberry filly shivered at the mention of his name. “What was he like?” She asked.

Tempest then looked down at Pinch with a darker tone in her voice. 

“He was a nasty evil yeti, who was evil for the sake of it!” Tempest sneered trying to frighten her cousin. “And gobbles little fillies and colts who misbehave!”

What she got for her overly dramatic display was a giggle from her tiny cousin. Berry Pinch rolled over as Tempest pretended to eat her belly. Pinch squealed pushing Tempest’s muzzle with her tiny hooves giggling afterwards. Berry Pinch latched onto Tempest’s muzzle by gripping her four tiny legs around her snout, and then she proceeded to blow a raspberry at Tempest. 

“Oh, you wanna play like that then?” The mare asked in a challenging manner. “Very well. I’ll show you a little trick I learned on my own.”

Wondering what she could mean, Berry Pinch held on as Tempest stood up and walked away from the house and into town with her cousin latched to her face. 

Ponies watched at the odd pair as they made their way through town. Pinch still attached to Tempest. Some pones couldn’t help but melt at the sight of the cute filly on the mares nose, while others just watched in plain amusement. Tempest ignored the comments, but felt a slight heat in her cheeks, and knew she would be hearing about this from her aunt no doubt. 

In the meantime she made her way to a small pond  and walked towards its edge. She stopped just a hoof step away from the water's edge and stared into the water. Pinch craned her neck backwards as far as she could to see her reflection in the water. She tilted her head and quirked her eyebrow wondering what her cousin was planning. 

“What are you going to do?” She asked the mare. 

The mare smiled knowing very well Pinch couldn’t see her do so and calmly said, “I’m going to hold my breath and dunk you into the water until you let go.”

Bfre Pinch could process what was said she was in the water. She almost breathed in, but was quick to stop herself. She plugged her nose with one hoof trying to hold onto Tempest who for her part was smirking at the filly. Losing breath fast Pinch quickly released tempest and paddled her hooves to swim. She breached the surface of the pond gasping for air as she was blinded by her wet mane. She doggy paddled to the edge and pulled herself out of the pond shivering in the cooler winter air. 

Tempest pulled her head out of the water slowly, and ran a hoof through her mane. Shaking herself to get the excess water off Tempest stared down at the shivering form of her cousin and chuckled. Her fur was all damp and made her less fluffy and more like skin and bone. Her mane and tail were completely soaked through. She giggled at the sight and went to grab Pinch by the nape of her neck. She carried the drenched filly to a nearby rock and set her down on it. The hot surface warmed her up instantly causing her to stop shivering. 

Tempest then got atop the rock along with her cousin and wrapped her body around her. Pinch felt her large cousins body warm her up even more and she rubbed herself against the warm dry fur like a kitten to its mother. Once she settled in she poked her head out and blew her wet mane out from her face and gave Tempest a pout.

“That was mean, you big meanie.”

“Ha, yeah, but you shouldn’t have latched to my face like that then.”Tempest replied pushing her nose against Pinch’s nose. “If you want I can make it up to you.”

“Tee, hee, that tickles,” The filly giggled nuzzling Tempest. “Can you tell me more about the pirates you knew?”

“So, you wanna hear more about the pirates?” Tempest asked pulling away.

“Oh, yes! I do!”

“Very well. Let me tell you how I beat the pirates in a airbattle with nothing but a sharp stick and two of my personal guards.” 

Pinch’s eyes wided in awe. Her ears perked up ready to feast on the wondrous tale of action and adventure that no doubt awaited to be told. Tempest felt her heart swell with pride as the filly waited for her to spin her tale to her, shen from the corner of her eye, Tempest noticed a familiar figure walking towards them.

“That’s not quite how I remember the story going.” A feminine voice said. 

Pinches head poked over Tempest Shadow’s body to see a tale female anthro parrot standing on other side of the rock. The filly gasped at the sight of the figure. Tall and well kept feathers pf tan and bright green. Leather coat and vest with a matching large hat with a plume feather sticking from the top. Pegged leg of emerald, and a well decorated hilted sword at the hip. 
“AH! Tempest it’s a pirate!” Berry Pinch cried out hiding behind her cousin from sight. 

Tempest didn’t even budge and simply looked back at the new arrival. 

“Captain Celaeno.” Tempest said not even looking.

“Commander Tempest,” Celaeno replied. “Heard I could find you out here.Mind if I join you?”

Tempest nodded glancing back at the captain. She was just standing there waiting patiently. Tempest than gestured towards an open spot at her side inviting Celaeno to join her.

Celaeno nodded and walked beside the pony and knelt down to help pick grapes. Berry Pinch watched from behind Tempest as the giant parrot worked without even being told what to do. It was as if she already knew what to do. Celaeno noticed th filly poking her head out and glanced at her with a smile and a gentle wave of her clawed hand. The filly responded by ducking back down to hide.

Tempest sighed. She craned her neck and reached for the filly and picked her up by the scruff of her neck. Lifting the foal she placed Pinch between her and Celaeno. The poor thing looked like she was about to cry when Tempest nuzzled her trying to calm her down.

“Don’t worry kid. She won’t hurt you,” She then glanced up at the parrot female and gave her a warning glare. “Isn’t that right, Captain Celaeno?”

The parrot female waved her hand casually in a non threatening manner. 

“Don’t worry! I don’t hurt kids. Besides, she’s cute!” Celaeno lifted the filly up and spun her around. “She’s so adorable, unlike, Edgy McEdge Lord, here,” She said gesturing towards Tempest with her thumb.

Fear from Pinch subsided and she giggled at the nickname finally feeling comfortable around the parrot female who was tossing her up in the air and catching her when she came back down. Pinch giggled as Celeano caught her and tickled her tiny hooves with one claw hand. Tempest meanwhile scowled at Celeano for the nickname, looking like she was trying to decide if she wanted to frying Celaeno with magic or go for a gut kick. 

“Now I remember why I hate you…” Tempest said dryly.

“So, you two know each other clearly. So, how did you two meet?” Pinch asked both the adults.

“Yeah, we butted heads on a few occasions.” Celaeno said putting the filly on her shoulder. “You see, Edgelord here-”

“I wish I threw you overboard that one time.” Tempest snapped under her breath.

“-she was the one who took my leg in a great battle.” She said flexing her stone leg. 

Pinch gasped looking at the leg from her perch of Celaeno’s shoulder. “Whaaaaaat!? Did you cut her leg off as punishment for stealing your booty or something?” Pinch asked.

“No kiddo, she tried to take my ship,” Tempest said punching Celeano playfully in the shoulder and almost knocking Pinch off. 

Celaeno laughed and socked the mare back both of them laughing while pinch looked between them confused.

“The way I remember it you were running from us and we were chasing you across the skies until you had nowhere to run!” Celaeno chuckled playfully.  

Tempest curled her lip smiling at the parrot pirate. 

“That’s because you were too fixated on the chase to realize I was leading you into a trap.”

“Oh? You call that a trap?” Celeano asked, clearly amused at the answer she got.

“What happened?” Pinch asked with eyes full of wonder.

“Oh, it’s quite a tale kid. So, get comfy and let Captain Celaeno tell you the story of the Rainbow Parakeet Pirates versus Tempest Shadow and the crew of the Huracan!” Celeano said in a theatrical manner.

Tempest sighed and shoved her shoulder into Celaeno while she told her story. “Have you heard of the Storm King, kid?”

“Yeah, Tempest told me about him.” Pinch chirped.

Celaeno continued. “Well, back in the past Tempest Shadow, use to work for him. She was his right hand. The ruthless justicar of the Storm King and his instrument of doom.”

“Wooooooooow,” The filly said in amazement. “So, she was suuuper cool?”

“The coolest,” Celaeno said looking back at Tempest, who was trying to hide a blush, but she listened as Celaeno continued to tell Pinch about their encounter.

“So, what happened next?” The filly asked.

“Well, Tempest was tracking us through the lands south, called The Badlands. A mass of scared earth that is nothing but sand and rock for millions of square miles.” She said waving a claw over an imaginary horizon. “She tracked us through a massive hurricane that was big enough to swallow Canterlot whole and everything for miles around it!”

“Wow! That’s big! Bigger than my house!” Pinch yelled in excitement. 

The filly pushed against her cousin’s side clearly excited about the story. 

“Oh, what happened next? Did you to have a huge battle in the sky!?”

“Not really, you see while we were tracking them through the storm, Captain Birdbrain,” Celaeno stuck her tongue out at Tempest. “-decided it was smart to come out of hiding and take us on head on.” Celeano shrugged.

*Some time ago…*

Tempest was on the bridge of her ship the Huracan.

She was in pursuit of a band of pirates that were attacking the Storm King's fleets and stealing their cargo. She had to be careful though. The Storm King commanded all ships to cease until the threat was taken care of.So Tempest  was alone with her crew and single ship to stop these pirates. There was no telling what the pirates would do. They were unpredictable and dangerous, and on top of that today was a particularly stormy day. Off in the distance a hurricane was forming a huge funnel that would ravage the badlands easily. 

Not that anything there was worth keeping around. 

Their attacks  were pretty consistent. They strike at night through the clouds. They hit hard steal the cargo, but they never killed prisoners, but they did destroy all the ships they came across. That meant they cared about each other, and that was something Tempest would exploit.

As they approached the storm the wind kicked up and Tempest’s guards were tying down what they could to the ship and prepared for battle. However they didn’t expect the attackers to come from the storm as they approached. 

The ship rocked back and forth violently. The helmsman tried hard to keep the ship steady, and for his part he was doing a rather splendid job. The hurricane however was far too strong to keep the ship completely steady.

“Hold steady! They should be here!” Tempest Shadow yelled at her crew. “Stand ready! They could attack any second if we’re not careful!”

Grubber came running up to her side and tugged her shoulder armor. “Commander! Ship of the stern! It’s the pirates! They’re coming at us!”

The unicron turn and ran to the back of the Huracan to see for herself. As Grubber said, the pirates were closing in from behind. In her haste to catch them she placed the ship to follow the flow of the hurricanes vortex to help increase their speed. Apparently the pirates had the same thought. 

They were speeding up behind them fast. The golden eagle bow was like an arrow ready strike down anything in its path. Tempest quickly devised a plan in her head. Taking a calm stride she went up to the helmsman and took over the wheel. She pulled back the throttle slowing the Huracan to a sluggish pace. Grubber gasped when he noticed the ship approaching faster. 

“Commander, what are you doing? They’re coming faster now! They’ll overrun us at this rate!” He said in a panic.

The mare didn’t react to his outburst. Instead she slowly turned the wheel to turn the ship to face their pursuers head on. The cross wind was terrible and shook the ship nearly causing it to spin on its axis, but Tempest and her storm guards years of experience they managed to keep the ship upright during the transition. Now, they were heading against the wind, sluggishly, into an enemy flying with the wind towards them.

Tempest then enacted the next part of her plan. 

“Grubber, tell the crew below deck to ready the cannons!” She said turning the wheel to keep heading towards the pirate ship. “And sound collision!”

The hedgehog hesitated for a moment before finding his legs again. “Sound collision! Sound collision!” He yelled as a bell began to ring when he ran below deck. “Ready cannons! We’re going to strafe the enemy!”

As ordered the yeti guards pulled on ropes and gears preparing all their cannons for battle. The eldritch cannons were massive hulking chunks of magically powered turrets that glowed bright green along their barrels. Once they were ready Grubber ran back to the top deck and reported to Tempest who was focused on the airship heading directly at them. The two ships were now dangerously close to the storms vortex and slowly being sucked in atop of heading into each others flight paths head on.

“Commander! Everything’s ready! Should be break to starboard?! We may end up hitting them!” Grubber yelled from next ot Tempest over the storm. 

Commander Tempest remained calm and kept her course, but also increased speed to the max. She Huracan engines boomed sending a dark plume of smog behind it. It was now hurling at neck breaking speed towards the pirate ship with no intention of slowing. 

“Commander, what are you doing?! We’re going to hit them!” Grubber cried panicking as the ships came into danger close territory. 

“Don’t worry Grubber. We’re fine.” Tempest said calmly.

“What?!!? How are you sure!??!”

Smiling, Tempest adjusted the heading of the ship to match the pirates as they tried to steer right, thus forcing them to go left towards the hurricanes vortex.

“Fear not, Grubber. The hardest part about playing chicken, is knowing when to blink.” The commander said in a almost cruel tone.

*Present Day*

Little Berry Pinch gasped at the story as it was reaching the action. 

“So, what did you do?!” She asked Celaeno. “Did you try to fight my, cousin? What did you do?”

“Well, we were very lightly armed. We only had four steel cannons that fired cannon balls while the Huracan had ten eldritch cannons and it was armored. We wouldn’t have stood a chance.” Celaeno admitted begrudgingly. “Not that it stopped us at that point. Both sides were committed at that point and there was no turning back.”

“What’s an eldritch cannon?” Pinch asked.

“They’re powerful magical powered cannons that fire large bursts of energy,” Celano explained. “Strong enough to tear through solid steal like a smoldering hot knife through butter.”

“Whoa!”

“Yes, yes, my ship is vastly superior to yours. Clearly you had no idea what you were doing,” Tempest said with a playful jab at Celaeno, who just laughed. 

*Some time ago, Captain Celaeno*

“Are they crazy!?” A parrot pirate yelled running beside Celaeno at the helm. 

“How should I know? We need to evade, We can’t face them head on! We’ll lose for sure!” Celaeno admitted turning the ship to port. 

The Huracan followed their movements. The leader of the pirate band knew what the leader of the Huracan was doing. With the amount of frontal armor they had they would tear through her ship like tissue paper. Their only hope was to catch them off guard, which was easy until now. The Storm King’s guards weren’t very observant. Whoever was on that ship had a good crew. This meant Celaeno had to play smart, but she soon realized they had only one option due to her narrow minded plan.

She was forced to turn the ship to port and fly into the storm. With any luck they could lose the enemy ship in the storm and make their escape to their hideout. But first she needed directions.

“What’s our heading!?” She yelled at her navigator. 

“We’re heading southwest, the storm seems to be heading towards the Abyssal Trench, Captain!”

“Good, we’ll use the storm to hide in the trenches! Then we’ll wait for them to pass us by and we’ll make our escape!”

“Captain! They’re coming at us full speed!”

“What?! Are they insane?! They’ll get caught in the storm with us?!”

At this point Celaeno had no choice. It was do or die time. She had no choice now but to fly into the storm vortex and hope the Huracan wouldn't follow.

Turning char into the storm Celaeno brought the ship full force into the vortex. Her crew were ready, and tied down to the deck to not get sucked up by the torrent around them. Green bolts of energy pierced the storm and hit the stern of their ship damaging it, but Celaeno stayed true to her path. 

She pulled back on the throttle slowing the ship down and allowed the Huracan to fly past. The change in speed was too quick for the storm ship to slow down to match them and flew past. The ship dove down fighting against the vortex of the storm trying to get through but not without great difficulty. Eventually they reached the eye of the storm and far down below at the center was the trenches of Abyssal Trench. Also known as Devils Reach it was a two mile length of canyons and interconnecting tunnels that were left after some great battle long since forgotten to myth. 

Pirates and raiders often utilized these paths to hide from Storm King ships and to lay ambushes since the Storm King’s naval officers refused to enter the trenches. They were too dangerous for those who had little knowledge of their layout and were riddled with sharp turns and dead ends. A perfect place to escape the pursuing Huracan. Celaeno thought it would be easy to escape. 

She brought the ship through the trenches easily navigating the trenches, even with her massive ship with expert precision. She and her crew were in the clear!

“Captain! We’re still being pursued!”

The female captain turned in surprise. “What?! How?!”

To her surprise the Huracan indeed was still following and gaining on them. The enemy ship was right on their tail.

*Tempest Huracan*

The pirates were just within grasp. 

Tempest felt a small amount of pleasure in pursuing them through the trench. It was a thrill she was going to enjoy every minute of. The pirate ship went around a corner deep in the trench. The wind was starting to die down deeper in the canyon, but Tempest didn’t relax for a minute. 

She pulled back the throttle and slowly descended into the dark abyss with the winds still blowing around them. The winds still strong they Huracan slowly inched along with no sign of the pirate ship in sight. As they approached a Y-fork in the path Tempest slowed the ship to aa crawl while she contemplated on where to go next. 

She had no idea which way the pirates went. If she made a mistake and went the opposite way they would escape and her failure would cost her dearly at the hands of the Storm King. However there risk was just a great if she chose the path the pirates went. They could very well be waiting to ambush them and with all the time they had to prepare could easily get the drop on the Huracan. 

*Present day*

“WOW! You flew into a hurricane just to escape, Tempest?! And you followed, Captain Celaeno into it to capture her?” The filly gasped in awed excitement. “What happened next?”

“I think we should focus on working rather than storytelling,” Tempest stated bluntly. 

By now they had managed to get back to the farm and were all working on picking grapes for the harvest. Pinch whined but obey her cousin and helped pick grapes from the vines, even Celaeno offered a helping hand. The parrot kneeled beside Tempest with such grace that it seemed to be one swift fluid motion. It impressed her a bit. For a while the picked in silence and after some time Tempest glanced down at the large full baskets of grapes they collected, and then she looked out over the horizon seeing the sun at it zenith. This meant it was about 1pm and time for lunch. Tempest wasn’t too hungry but a loud growling sound from the pit of her stomach told her otherwise. 

She rubbed her underbelly feeling a slight ache come from nowhere. A subtle snicker from Celaeno earned her a stern glare from the pony. Pinch observed to see what the adults would do. 

“Sounds like someone skipped breakfast,” Celano said poking Tempest at her side. 

The claw hand sank into Tempest Shadow’s soft side earning a squeak and a furious blush from the unicorn mare. Tempest swatted away the claw hand and covered her sides like she was expecting another round of poking, which to her credit Celano looked like she wanted to. Tempest scooted away from her and didn’t notice Pinch behind her, and the filly poked her hoof at her cousins side when she let her guard down. The reaction was instantaneous. 

Tempest leapt in the air squeaking again and tried to roundhouse kick Celaeno but managed to suck under it just in time. Tempest then landed on her back with a thud and scrambled to get back to her hooves. Utterly embarrassed had stood upright and tiff like a statue with deep red cheeks and a bashful look that made the other two giggle at her expense. 

The unicorn puff her chest out and her cheeks and glared at the other two. 

“Wow Tempest! I didn’t think you could make such girly sounds!” Celaeno laughed trying not to fall over. 

Even Pinch was finding it difficult to not laugh at the sight of her mighty cousin making such sounds. With a huff Tempest turned and picked up the baskets and placed them on her back. She then stomped towards the store house and left the grapes there and stormed out with her head low. Celaeno was there waiting with Pinch on her shoulder both smiling at her. The Tempest noticed Pinch was wearing Celaeno’s hat. Albeit way too big for the tiny filly, she was forced to wear it from the front and held it up with one tiny hoof.

“Arr! I’m a swashbuckling sidekick!” Pinch yelled swinging a stick with her open hoof, but nearly fell off the parrots pirates shoulder.

She abandoned the stick on favor of saving herself from falling. Celaeno laughed putting the filly on the head and took her hat back and placed it on Tempest’s head, and giving her a playful head rub. Tempest growled but allowed the parrot female to ruffle her head a bit.  

Staying under the hat Tempest looked up at the two and felt her smile creep back on. Her. 

“Come on you two. Let’s get some lunch. Then we can finish story time on how I kicked Captain Celaeno butt with a sharp stick.” Tempest said walking away. 

Celaeno scoffed following tempest close behind with Berry Pinch now on top of her head. 

“Oh, please. You wish you were that good!”
> How the Storm Began Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tempest was in a good mood.

She thought that coming back home after all this time would end in disaster. She never would have guessed how wrong those thoughts were. She was glad she took Princess Twilight’s advice on coming home. She was reunited with her family, She mended a broken bridge with her aunt, and was on good terms with her cousin, and her only one she knew of. Top it all off with her rekindling a kinda friendship with her old foal hood friend Trixie and things were looking up for her.

She walked with new renewed confidence in herself. She felt as though her old self burned to ash and a new more energized version of herself took its place. She felt the world was more vibrant and fulfilling. She was happy here, and as she walked home with Pinch and Celaeno she wondered what surprises the world would send her the next day.

“So, what did you two do after you hid your ship?” Pinch asked from atop Celaeno’s head snapping Tempest from her thoughts.

“Well, that was where things got interesting. You see, I didn’t know Tempest back then. This was the battle that would lead to our first encounter,” Celaeno explained.

“Oh~” 

“Yeah, so after hiding my ship we waited for the Huracan to get into range. We didn’t know the kind of armaments they carried at first, but I can easily say we were out matched the moment we saw the ship up close.” Celaeno explained. 

“What was it like fighting each other?” Pinch asked, her swishing tail giving away her excitement. 

The parrot pirate was about to answer but Tempest answered first still keeping ahead of them as they approached the house. “It was utter chaos.” She said dryly. “It’s one thing to go into battle without knowing your opponent, it's another thing to go into a fight recklessly.”

*Some Time Ago on the Huracan*

Tempest was calm. Calmer than usual, and everyone on her ship knew it. That was usually a bad sign for them. It usually meant lots of collateral damage and a lot of repairs to the ship or medical paperwork. The crew of the Huracan were on edge. The crew was ready for a fight as Tempest took the ship towards the Y-fork in the canyon and slowly began to turn right. Then they noticed the golden frame of the pirates ship hiding behind the wall immediately right after they turned. It was very well hidden but clearly the pirates didn’t know they were ever so slightly exposed. The crew flanked the right side of the ship expecting the pirates to come full force after them from the right. 

They were all on edge, especially Grubber. However Tempest's personal guards were surrounding her back like a wall of six sentries, and were ready to protect her at all costs. Above them the storm continued to rage sending powerful currents of wind through the canyon and a lot of dust that made it had to see. However, the ravine was deep enough that the dust kicked up from the hurricane was still manageable. 

“Grubber, go to the lower decks and tell the crew to prepare for battle.”

“Yes, commander,” Gruber said with a tentative salute.

The little guy waddled as quickly as he could out of sight and headed to the lower decks. Tempest watched as the fur ball disappeared from sight. She then looked over the turn and slowly began to turn the ship. She counted three seconds before the ship managed to turn fully around the first bend. Hidden behind the rocks was the pirate ship with its broadside and cannons loaded and ready by the time the Huracan peeked around the corner. 

The first volley came swiftly. 

The cannons roared to life in fiery explosions, sending their munitions flying towards the hull of the Huracan. The first volley of cannon balls hit the Huracan side full on; however they only succeed in denting the metal hull, but one managed to hit the softer wood underbelly of the ship. The Huracan responded in force. The eldritch cannons fired dark pulses of green energy that singed and burned through the pirate ship. The exchange was fierce and fast pace. The smell of burnt wood was quite present despite the strong winds. The smoke from the damaged pirate ship was now funneling through the ravine and making the already poor visibility even worse. The fire change lasted for a few more seconds until the pirate ship suddenly stopped firing all together. That was the moment Tempest made her move. 

Tempest attempted to turn the ship and try to pin the pirate ship with the Huracan bow through the smoke where they were. The main frontal plate split open and they fired their grappling hook into the pirate ships side. The hook pierced into the ship's hull with ease, and split open like a prong to latch itself inside. The pirates on the ship scurried around as Tempest began to make her ship rise and dragging the pirate ship sluggishly with them. She was sure victory was in her reach, but she soon learned not all things go as smoothly in reality as in one's mind. 

As the Huracan broke through the smoke, both ships suddenly shook and stopped rising. Tempest and her guards fell over from the sudden shift as the ship leaned over with a tilt on its axis. Getting up Tempest adjusted the ship to make it level again before peering over the side railing. Down below she could see the china that connected to the Huracan was still attached to the pirate ship, however, the pirates had anchored their ship to the rock face of the ravine. Tempest narrowed her eyes with an angry glare down at the pirates. She could not for the life of her figure what they could have been planning. They trapped themselves! What did this accomplish? The answer came from above. Through the winds Tempest could hear the slightest pitch of high pitched screeching. Tempest was sure she recognized the sound. Looking up she noticed several smaller skiffs fly over the rockface and went into nosedives from above them. 

‘Attack! Pirates are attacking from above!” She yelled. 

Her guards were quick to react. Each of them stood with spear and shields up and ready. When the skiffs reached the Huracan, the pirates wasted no time boarding the ship with swords raised and screeching battlecries. The Huracan crew was now atop their ship ready to take action against the invaders, but were scrambling to get into good defensive lines since the attack came so suddenly.

The pirates charged the guards and thus began the most chaotic battle Tempest had ever seen as the two crews clashed. The clanging of swords rang through the ear shattering winds and sounds of grinding metal. Tempest ordered her guards to charge into the fray, and so they did without hesitation. Their advanced and personal training under her showed immensely as they rushed the pirates. Unlike standard Storm Guards, her personal guard was trained to strike precisely and strike hard without mercy. Tempest Guards, that’s what she called them.

They fought with the same level of ferocity she did. Who needed magic when you had brains and brawn to back it up? In tried and true Tempest Shadow methodology, you needed only these to make it through life in the Badlands. Now, it was about to pay off in spades.

She jumped over the railing and charged the closest pirate. He noticed Tempest coming and turned to face her. He was a big one. Green parrot feathers, strong build and very tall wearing thick leather pants, a brown shirt and a red bandana. His beak curled with a grin as he raised his long sword to strike at Tempest. 

He swung the sword horizontally to try and cut at the mares head. Tempest used her own momentum to roll and spin on her back. In this motion she used her hind legs to sweep the pirate off his claws and send him toppling him over. One of her Tempest Guards rush the pirate and used his two pronged spear to catch the pirates hand to prevent him from going for his sword. 

Tempest gave him a cruel smile and followed up with a magical blast on his hand at point blank range. This left him grasping at a burnt nub at the end of his arm as he screamed in agony. Tempest then drop kicked him knocking him out cold. 

Two more pirates attempted to face her after seeing their comrade fall. The unicorn and her guard stood their ground. The Tempest Guard placed his shield over Commander Tempest to protect her but she shoved him aside.

The two pirates charged Tempest and her guard splitting to divide their attentions and attack one on one. The Tempest Guard managed to hold back to pirate attacking him, leaving Tempest to fight hers without distraction. 

The pirate was much like his friend she beat moments ago. Tall green feathers and beak faced with a few subtle differences. He had a eye patch over his right eye, with large red plume feathers on his head and a headband. He swung his sword wildly around his body like tornado of steel which held Tempest back. Tempest easily dodged the attacks but made no effort to advance on him until she knew what he was planning. After several more attempts to hit her Tempest realized something about the pirate. He had no idea what he was doing. 

Realizing this she charged her broken horn with magic. The pirate then acted lunging at her with the speed of a phantom leopard, and in the blink of an eye, Tempest had the sharp edge of his sword centimeters from her face. Her first instinct was to step back but her gut told her to drop to the ground. So she did just that. Mid Step backwards she immediately dropped her belly to the floor like a cat ready to pounce. The sword missed her and trimmed her mane a few inches shorter. That made her mad. Before she could respond he kicked her across the cheek and sent her rolling into the side of the deck railing and knocking her into a slight daze. In her daze Tempest's vision blurred. She could barely make out the figure of the pirate walking up to her with a boastful laugh.

“Argh, guess I got me a little filly, eh? Don’t worry chickie, I’ll put you down real quick,” He said calmly while raising his sword over his head.

“In your dreams, bird brain,” Tempest replied.

She then discharged her magic into the poor pirate. The attack started off as a bright light that exploded into a colorful explosion of destructive sparkles that shot out in every direction. These tiny sparks collided with object, pirates, and Storm Guards and each erupted in a colorful chain reaction of magical explosions of death and destruction. The cliffs around them broke apart from the violent magical outburst. Dust and dirt kicked up with the winds of the storm around them and blinded everyone on the ship while they fought, but soon became silent once they realize what happened as rocks fell on them. 

Screams echoed over the ship and the light show from the magical discharge startled everyone who managed to avoid the attack into silence. Standing up Tempest was the center of attention. Both sides were battered and the Huracan was in worse shape than Tempest had realized. She had been so focused on the fight she failed to notice that the skiffs the pirates rode in on had badly damaged the ship and left gaping holes in several vital areas.

*Present Day*

At this time Tempest, Pinch, and Celaeno were in the house and enjoying a hearty lunch prepared by Chardonnay. Lunch today consisted of sandwiches, sun dried potato chips, and a sweet white wine, and grape juice for Pinch. Celaeno was humming as she ate, claiming this was the best food she had since the Friendship Festival.

“Geez, your mother can really make good food, Tempest!” The female parrot said. “Any chance I can steal her away for a week to teach the cook on my ship how to make better food?”

The unicorn let out a hearty laugh that made her tiny cousin jump in her seat. 

“Ha! As if! You’d have to fight my dad first to get him to let her go,” Tempest leaned over the table, breaking a big house rule in the process. “Besides he’s good a cooking but he loves mothers cooking more. Also, then I’d have to fight you and you know I’d kick your feathered butt easily!” Tempest said in a jovial tone.

“I heard that!” 

The sound of her father's voice echoed from the next room over.

“And no! You’re not taking my wife!” He said back after a brief pause.

Both the mare and parrot captain shared a laugh while Berry Pinch looked back between them while munching on her sandwich. After the two adults managed to stop laughing they continued to eat in silence for a while until they finished their meals. Once that was done they pushed the plates a side and enjoyed their wine while Pinch sipped her grape juice. After a while Pinch looked at her grape juice and sighed.

“What’s wrong, little one?” Celaeno asked the filly patting her head.

“It’s nothing. I just wish I was back in Ponyville. It’s Cider Season now!” Pinch said with a hint of excitement in her voice.

The filly glanced around as if she were afraid someone would hear her. Once she was sure the area was clear she waved her hoof beckoning Tempest and Celaeno closer. Once both were sufficiently close to her Pinch leaned and whispered to them, “I like apples a lot more than grapes.”

Tempest gasped while Celaeno simply shrugged and leaned back in her seat. Tempest was suddenly wide eyed looking around like some monster was about to step out from the darkest corner of the room and eat her whole. She then leaned over and gave her tiny cousin a stern look.

“You can’t say stuff like that here!” She said.

“What? Why?” Pinch asked looking afraid suddenly.

“Because when you say that kind of thing in this house and you get caught, you get in big trouble!” Tempest said, while dramatically waving her hooves in front of her.

“T-t-trouble? What kind of trouble, cuz?”

“If you say you like apples more than grapes in this house a great purple monster will come after you!” Tempest said leaning over her tiny cousin.

“W-what happens if it gets me?” Pinch asked in fear, shivering in her seat and curling up in a ball. 

Tempest gave her an evil look and a wide toothy grin, unaware of a figure sneaking up behind her. “If you get caught then the great purple monster will get you… and…” 

Suddenly Tempest was on to floor laughing as her father Merlot managed to sneak up on her and grabbed Tempest's sides and began tickleing her.

“Gah ahah! Dad! STOP!! HA AH!!”

Tempest tried to speak between gasps. Suddenly her father moved to her hooves and started tickling her while looking at Pinch. The older stallion smiled at the filly and winked at her playfully. He then released Temepst from his grip and she scurried over to Celaeno and hid behind her. Only when hidden from view did the mare poke her head out to see her father sitting next to Pinch sharing a smile with her at Tempest.

“What was that for!?” Tempest yelled glaring at Merlot. “You know I hate being tickled! Much less when caught off guard!”

“I know.” He replied not taking his eyes off Tempest.

The mare growled at her father. Just then a set of claws from Celaeno gripped her sides. She folded her ears down and glared up with a murderous look on her face at the parrot female. 

“Do it and I promise I’ll fry your feathers off…”

Celaeno chuckled releasing Tempest from her grasp and waved them. 

“Don’t worry, after the last time you fried me I’m in no hurry to receive it again,” Celaeno said.

Both Merlot and Pinch glanced at the parrot female wondering what she meant. As if she could sense the upcoming barrage of questions Celaeno turned the chair towards Merlot and Pinch but placed it behind Tempest. She then leaned on the dark mare’s head, resting her chin on the long soft mane, and in return got a disgruntled groan from the mare. Celaeno giggled, and she gently reached down petting Tempest on the cheek with her clawed hand. 

“You know you like it.” 

“Grrr… you’re lucky I like you otherwise I’d fry your furry butt,” Tempest said relenting to eh petting.

“You mean feathery butt?’

“Shaddup.”

Merlot laughed at the exchange while Pinch seemed more interested in the story.

“So, is this the part of the story where you two finally meet? And Tempest fights you in a battle to the death!?” Pinch asked spinning in her seat like a  dog chasing its tail.

“Uh, no kiddo,” Tempest said moving sideways and letting Celaeno fall on the floor with a thud. “If it were a battle to the death she wouldn’t be here.”

The filly rubbed her chin thinking real hard about what she was told. Then the realization hit her like a ton of bricks.“Ooooooh!”

Tempest smiled ruffling her mane making the filly giggle. “But yeah, this is the part where we fought and met face to face for the first time. And spoiler alert, I kicked her butt.”

*Some time ago on the Huracan*

All eyes were on Tempest after she used her magic to attack the pirate parrot. The spectacle of colorful explosions left everyone dumbstruck as dust and rock kicked up around the ship, blinding all from view with the exception of the magical discharge from Tempest’s horn that was barely visible through the dust.

Then from the opposite side of the ship came the sound of loud rhythmic clanking approached. Tempest narrowed her eyes at the source of the clanking. From the dust came the form of Captain Celaeno. Now standing face to face the two leaders had the most intense stare down anyone there had ever seen. Here was Commander Tempest, known right hand to the Storm King and his instrument of destruction, facing against the regions most well known pirate captain and smuggler in all the Badlands. And to top it all off was the fact that the two were exceptional fighters, but either knew the full extent of the others abilities.

The stand off didn’t last long. 

Celaeno drew her sword almost immediately after seeing Tempest’s glowing horn through the dust. Tempest herself kept a low posture ready to dodge and counter attack at any moment. Captain Celaeno however had other ideas. The parrot pirate stepped back into the dust and used the low visibility to hide herself from Tempest forcing the unicorn to use her other senses to find the pirate. The metal clanking of her legs made it easy to know what she was doing, but it was impossible to see while the dust was kicking around them.

Tempest curse the dust and winds wishing they’d go away. Just then the clanking of the metal stopped followed by a distinct metallic scraping noise. Tempest felt her heart race , she took a deep breath and immediately jumped forward into a front flip. The tip of Celaena's sword scraped against her chest armor only scratching the paint but leaving the unicorn untouched. 

Halfway through her flip, Tempest shot a magical burst from her horn to the surface of the ship. The resulting explosion kicked away the dust around her revealing Celaeno in the center of the clearing. Tempest landed near her guards and glared at Celaeno and the remaining few of her crew that were left. With a simple nod Tempest’s guards charged the pirates without hesitation with her leading the charge. Weaving through the bodies of her guards and the pirates, Tempest made her way to Celaeno like a snake weaving through grass. Tempest lunged at her foe.

Celaeno sidestepped deflecting a strong kick with the face of her sword, and then tried to counter attack with a strong downward cut. All the felt was the sinking of metal as she struck the hull of the Huracan and missed Tempest all together.

By the time she realized what was happening, Tempest was behind her and grabbed the female parrot around the throat and gave a strong arm squeeze. Celaeno struggled against the unicorn’s strong iron grip and tried stabbing behind her but Temepst’s small figure made it completley impossible to do. Adjusting the same tactic Celaeno started to shake herself to try and swing Tempst to the side to get a nice clean hit in. When Tempest realized this she let go of her foe and kicked her forward and down the stairs to the lower decks.

Not waiting to allow her to recover Tempest jumped down leading with her dominant hoof to punch Celaeno in the chest. She trike was hard and true, but the female parrot was able to recover quickly from this attack and kicked upward with both her gem leg and claw to send tempest over the railing down into the hot steam engine core room. After taking a moment to recover, Celeano stood up and dusted herself off and walked down the stairs to the lowest deck. Here in a large circular room with metal grating at the feet stood Tempest in the center. Celaeno noticed a large almost bell shaped cage suspended by a huge chain above her swinging gently back and forth above Tempest. 

The two leader entered a stare down. Celaeno slowly walked, step by step, down the stairs drawing her sword. She drew nearer to Tempest keeping her sword poised at the unicorn. With a curious tilt of her head Tempest watched calmly as Celano circled around her never taking her eyes off her foe.

“So, you’re the one chasing after us all this time?” Celaeno asked casually. “Not very smart.”

Tempest replied with a chuckle. “Heh, a mindless moron like you leading this band? Ha, it’s a wonder the Storm King’s Army hasn't caught you up to this point.”

“Before we met you, the Storm King's Army was soft and lazy. Then about ten months ago they started cracking down. Stricter guard shifts, more ships, better control over the sky lanes. Guess I have you to thank for that?” 

Tempest gave a casual look at her hoof giving Celaeno the opening she had been waiting for. Without a word she rushed the unicorn swinging the sword in a wide arch. Tempest short hopped over the blade until it was just under her hooves, then with all the force she could muster she stomped down. Between the massive force of her body and the sturdy metal base of the Huracan, the sword bent into an L shape surprising Celaeno. Tempest followed up with a swift kick to the parrots beak and sent her stumbling back a few paces. 

Discarding her sword the parrot and pony faced off in hand to hand combat. Tempest moved in bucking with her back legs at Celaeno. The parrot caught her hooves and twisted them making the unicorn spin and land on her back. Tempest had no time to recover when Celaeno grabbed her with her talon foot by the neck and threw her across the room. The unicorn hit the wall hard, and her armor made a loud echoed thud against the metal hull. 

She rolled off the wall and onto her side and then felt a sharp kick to her unarmored gut. The kick lifted her off the ground  a few inches giving her enough time to see the hot core underneath the metal gratings before falling face first into them. 

She was then kicked again from the side, and again, and again. With each blow she counted the beats like a rhythm in a song. One beat, two beat, three beats, on the fifth she reached down with her neck and bit the exposed flesh on Celaeno's foot and gnawed it like a rabid animal twisting and yanking in every conceivable direction. On her gem pegged leg Celaeno couldn't keep her balance. One misstep lead to another and she felt her gem leg get stuck in the gratings. Realizing her mistake she struggled to kick the angry unicorn off her good leg when she heard a snap and a tidal wave of pain in her ankle. 

Celaeno screeched loud enough for both her and Tempest to wince. The echoing of her screech was too loud even for her to handle as she covered her large sensitive ears. However when she recovered she had just enough time to register a dark armored hoof punching her in the beak and then there was just black.

After the punch Tempest gave her unconcious captive a few more punches for good measure. Once she was sure her captive was out cold, she sat on her haunches and breathed a sigh of relief. She felt her armor pressing uncomfortably against the back of her neck and adjusted herself accordingly. She glanced down at the unconscious form of Celaeno next to her and smiled. 

Heh, guess I win after all.”

*Present Day*

“And that was how I defeated bird brain here and captured her crew!” Tempest said with pride, after finishing her story.

“Wow! You kicked her butt!” Pinch said hopping around her cousin. 

Celaeno scoffed crossing her legs and sipping more wine from her glass. “Yeah, yeah. You just got lucky that I went easy on you.”

“Wow, sore loser much?” Tempest said back with a smirk.

“So what did you do with her next?” Pinch asked, while sitting on Merlot’s lap. 

“I chained her and her crew up and towed their ship back to my Base. There we punished them accordingly, and the rest were… indoctrinated into the Storm King’s Army.” Tempest said sipping her wine.

“Yeah, as slave labor,” Celaeno replied bitterly. “But it sure beats being thrown overboard at 10,000 feet I guess.”

Both Merlot and Pinch looked at the female parrot in surprise then back at Tempest who blinked and shrugged. 

“Hey, I didn’t throw anyone overboard. It was the Storm King who ordered the crew to have their wings clipped and thrown overboard. I actually spoke out against it.” Tempest said defensively. 

“And I’m glad you did.”

Both Celaeno and Tempest smiled at that and tapped their glasses together in a friendly gesture. Both downed the last of their wine glasses in one gulp and both let out sighs of content. Celaeno then went ahead and filled both glasses up again while Merlot grabbed Pinch and placed her on his back. 

“Come on little one, let’s go check on your mother.”

“Aww, okay Uncle Merlot.” Pinch sighed waving. “Bye Captain Celaeno! See you and Tempest later.”

Merlot then took Pinch out of the room and up the stairs. Tempest listened to the sounds of her father’s hoof steps as he walked. Once she heard the sound of the bedroom close she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes letting out a exasperated sigh. 

“Something wrong?” 

Tempest opened one eye and saw her feathered friend looking at her concerned. She waved it off with a hoof and nestled herself into the soft cushions of her seat. “Nah, I’m fine, bird brain.” She said in a calm tone. “Just wondering something.”

“Oh? And what pray tell would that be?” Celaeno asked sipping her wine more. 

“Just thoughts that I’d rather not share at this time.” The unicorn replied dryly. 

“Hmm? Well, if you ever need to talk, you know I’m here for you right, Tempest?”

Celaeno reached over her seat and placed her talon hand over tempest’s hoof. The unicorn blushed and thought about pulling away, but she stayed her hoof and allowed the contact. She even reached over with her other hoof and patted the claw gently. This earned her a soft smile from Celaeno and a deep blush for herself. 

“If you ever tell anyone about this I WILL throw you off my ship,” Tempest said threateningly. 

“Aww, don’t be that way. We both know without me you’d have no snuggle buddy!” Celaeno said playfully. 

Her response was a dark angry glare from her unicorn friend and a dangerous sparking from her broken horn. “You promised not to tell anyone about that!” She snarled quietly hoping no one could hear.

“Daw, don’t worry. There’s nobody here. You have nothing to fear. Your secret is safe with me.”

Tempest thought whether or not she would try a gut punch or a magical attack to fry Celaeno for what she said. Instead after a good minute, she opted to get up hop off her seat and proceeded to walk and sit on Celaeno’s lap. She made sure to slap her mane into the female parrots face. To add to the insult she shook her head using her long mohawk mane as a way of slapping her in the face. 

“Pfft! Pfft! Really Tempest? So childish.”

“Humph! You should be grateful that I the Great and Powerful Tempest Shadow, Commander of the Storm King’s Army wold grace you with my presence!” The unicorn said with great bravado. 

“Heh, careful Tempest. Your ego is showing!” Celaeno jested punching her friend’s shoulder playfully. 

“Ha! My ego is perfectly in check-” *Flash CLICK!*

Suddenly from the corner of the room there was a bright flash followed by a discernible clicking noise. Tempest froze and felt her blush intensify ten fold as a feminine snicker came from the same corner. The mares’ head snapped towards the sound of the snicker to see her mother barely in view from the kitchen with that infernal camera, trying hard not to laugh. 

“MOM!!”
> Internal Storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There comes a time in everyone's life where they have to make big decisions. These decisions can change the course of the individuals life drastically. Like a filly deciding to become a barber or a train conductor, each is a vastly different form of lifestyle. One would root a pony into a single place, maybe move once or twice, the other would have them see the farthest reaches of the continent. Yet both would be perfectly fine life choices. For Tempest Shadow, it was a heavy weight she could barely bare. 

On one hand she wanted to be home with her family and chose a simple life. Making wine, easy dining, and having a nice comfortable bed to sleep in was nice, although she admits to missing her old worn metal cot back on her ship. Then again, she already missed the adventure and thrill of living everyday on the edge. But she could not deny that she loved her family and had no desire to leave them again any time soon. At the same time she didn’t want to stay and live off her parents all her life either. 

Then there was the life of a Royal Guard. Tempest found the offer quite tempting but after living her life under the Storm Kings rule for so long she wasn’t fond of the idea of serving another so soon. She did understand she’d be best for the job and she would be paid well. Also she’d be able to see much of equestria when the Princess traveled, and no doubt adventure would seek them at every corner. Needless to say, she had a tough choice to make for her future. 

It came down to this, would she stay at the family farm and live a nice easy going life making wine, or would she become Princess Twilight’s personal Guard and live a potentially more adventurous life?

It wasn’t an easy thing for Tempest to think about. She still felt she had a lot to answer for when she worked under the Storm King. Capturing her fellow ponies, imprisoning the princesses, and destroying most of a city in the process. She felt like she didn’t deserve to be given a job of such high prestige, especially not from the Princess she had hunted and captured to enslave?

In order to keep her mind off this Tempest kept herself busy with her daily chores. Mostly it was gathering the grapes for the harvest which would be eaten on Nightmare Night. Working alongside her, Celaeno was assisting by gathering grapes form the next row of vines down. With a little counseling form Chardonnay and Merlot she made sure to also check the vines for bugs and signs of infections. It was an easy simple life and one Tempest could live with, but at the same time did she really want to settle down now? She was in her prime and had the opportunity to go out and see the world in a new light free from the shadows of her past. Princess Twilight, her parents, and even her old friends forgave her for her past misdeeds. So, why couldn’t she forgive herself?

Her thoughts went around in this endless circle while she worked the fields preparing for tonight's Nightmare Night festival. Despite the Ursa attack the townsfolk decided unanimously to keep the celebration on schedule; and to also hail the heroes present for saving the town. 

“I’m not a hero” Tempest muttered under her breath.

She picked off some grapes from a vine and placed them into her basket. She looked down at the basket to see if it was full. She saw it was about half filled with dark juicy grapes. She then looked down a few feet to see Celeano inspecting the vines as she went along. The former pirate was given the task of inspecting the vines for bugs and infections that could harm them and potentially spread to other vines nearby. Instead of her usual garb Celaeno was wearing her pants and a simple white shirt and her leg brace. She opted to leave her weapons at the house since Chardonnay said she wouldn’t need them in the fields. Tempest made a big fuss about it but Celaeno saw no point to having weapons in a grape field. 

Even without her weapons and signature hat Tempest saw the female anthro parrot in a slightly new light. She always admired her from afar but after working with her for a few days she began to admire her even more and especially after helping the town. Though she wasn’t asked Celaeno and her crew came to assist the town without asking for anything in return except lodging while they repaired their ship for travel. She was truly a selfless being, and that was something Tempest could only admire considering her own selfishness.

Suddenly she felt something small and wet hit her head and saw a purple ball fall to her hooves. She nearly jumped and narrowed her eyes at the offending ball which turned out to be a grape. She instantly snapped her head to the side and glared at Celaeno who was trying, and ultimately failing, to hide her smile and laughing. 

Tempest couldn’t help but grin at the playfulness of her friend. Her horn sparked to life as a surge of raw magical energy formed around the grape Celaneo tossed at her and it flung back at her. Celaeno barely had enough time to duck when she realized the grape was flying at her from the corner of her eye. The grape flew harmlessly over her head and bounced twice before rolling to a stop a few feet away from her.  Celaeno giggled and reached for another grape and threw it back at Tempest who simply jumped to the side letting the fruit pass harmlessly by. 

With a playful laugh Tempest charged Celaeno trying to tackle her but was stopped when she stood up. Now towering over the unicorn Celaeno grabbed Tempest around the neck putting her in a headlock and ruffled her mane with a knuckled noogie. 

“Got ya!” She chirped rubbing her friends mane. 

“Heh, you gotta do better than that!” 

Tempest let out a small magical zap at Celaeno’s hand. She then realized Tempest yelping and gripping her claw hand glaring back at Tempest who was giving her a playful smirk.

“You cheeky thing!” Celaeno yelled chasing after the unicorn.

The two laughed as they chased each other all over the field. They ran through the intertwining vines and hiding as they played their game of cat and mouse while the pranced around in a jovial mood. Tempest now completely lost her melancholic mood and was now happily living in the moment of the chase with her friend. It reminded her of her foalhood with Trixie and their friends when they too use to run down these very fields of green. It was very nostalgic for the pony but a welcome one. 

She quickly turned and weaved between the vines thinking she was losing Celaeno so she could sneak around on her friend. However Celaneo used her height to see over the rows of plants and was able to plan her next move accordingly. Seeing Tempest sneak to the right keeping low to the ground she circled to meet Tempest head on. She too kept low so Tempest wouldn’t see her since she was so tall. Creeping low on the ground Celaena's plan worked like a charm.

She managed to circle around but managed to not only catch up to her but was completely unaware of Celaena's presence behind her. Tempest tried to stifle a giggle wiggling her flank which Celaneo took a brief moment to admire. The swaying of the mares hips were entrancing to her almost to the degree of a moth to a flame. Celaeno’s eyes followed the curve of the mares hips as they swayed back and forth like a cat would just before it would strike. As Tempest waited Celaeno crept closer itching herself on all fours taking care not to signal she was there. When she was just inches from Tempest she made her move.

With a burst of lighting speed she pushed off her back legs and jumped forward. She snatched Tempest from around the waist and lifted the mare up like a child clutching its favorite stuffed animal and nuzzled her cheek to cheek. Tempest let out a girly scream and tried to break free until she gave into the cheek rub. Blush furiously she averted her gaze crossing her from legs over her chest while she was carried by Celaeno out of the field. 

“Aww, you mad there” Celaeno asked putting Tempest down.

The unicorn stuck her nose up and marched briskly out of the row of grape vines with Celaeno at her side. 

“Humph! Just be glad I didn’t use my magic on you otherwise you would be begging for mercy!” Tempest said with a huff.

Celaeno just laughed but kneeled down to hug Tempest. She wrapped her arms around the smaller mare once more ruffling her mane. Tempest smacked her with a hoof and sent Celaeno into full retreat. Shaking her head Tempest followed her to their work area where they left the baskets unattended. On the way back Tempest walked right beside Celaeno and brushed up against her leg taking care not to push her over. The female parrot smiled own at her unicorn friend and pet her mane back with a clawed hand; Tempest nuzzled the hand like a cat but gave Celaeno a serious look after realizing what she did. 

“Don’t tell anyone about this.” She said.

Celaeno smiled and did a zipping motion with her hand over her beak locking it up and throwing away the key. “Not a word,” She replied kindly. 

After the small exchange the two walked side by side in silence the rest of the way. They walked through the rows of vines taking in the sights around them as they went. For Tempest it was simply a walk down memory lane, almost literally. Celaeno was enjoying it for the first time taking in the breathtaking scenery of green fields all around her. All her life all she knew was sand, rock, and steel, now she could see nature and all its glory. Untainted by the Storm King and industrial touch. 

She took a moment to reach out and run her fingers over the leaves of a grapevine she walked by which she noticed had small green fruit instead of the dark purple ones. She kneeled down and looked closer at the green grapes even poking one with a talon. Tempest noticed her friend stopped in her tracks and was inspecting the vine. Curious as to what caught her attention Tempest turned to around and walked back to see what Celaeno was looking at on the vine. Once closer she noticed she was looking at a green cluster of grapes.

“What’s got you so interested?” Tempest asked sitting next to her. 

“Oh, those are neighgara greens. They're a real sweet grape that we use for my families white wines. They’re also great table foods!” 

Tempest leaned in to take one grape off the cluster and ate it letting out a soft moan afterwards. “Mmm, so good.” Celaeno looked at the cluster. She reached in and took one grape tugging it free from its cluster holding it between two talons.  She looked over the small fruit which was a light green with a almost frosty looking coat over it. Tempest told her it was condensation and it was safe to eat. After a thorough inspection of the grape she popped it in her mouth and chewed it thoughtfully. 

The soft green grape was indeed sweet as Tempest said, what she wasn’t ready for was how sweet it turned out ot be. She shivered and shook her head to the sweet taste but enjoyed the sweet watery fruit. 

“Mmm, that is good. It reminds me of the first time I drank alcoholic grog.” Celaeno said without hesitation.

Tempest shook her head but smiled none the less at her friend. “I didn’t know you liked that kind of drinking.”

“Psh! Of course I do! Grog is one of the best things out there! Spice grog, meelworm grog, and fireseed grog! Gosh I wish I had some now,” Celaeno said with a stary glint in her eyes. 

The enthusiasm in her friend was heart warming for Tempest. It was nice to have a good friend she could just talk to and hang around without feeling depressed all the time. With one last playful nudge to Celaeno’s hip Tempest skipped along the road ahead of her turning near the end of the row of plants where she stopped and turned her head back to see her friend. 

“Thanks Celaeno. You’re indeed one of the best friends I ever had. Thanks for being my friend when I needed it most,” She said sincerely.

The two shared a moment in silence. Nothing needed to be said. They both knew what the other was thinking and so together they walked back in silence. It was a nice feeling for both knowing they had each other to rely on. Something Tempest wished she had earlier in her life. Perhaps if she had not given up so easily things might have turned out differently. 

Maybe she wouldn’t have become evil and tried to enslave ponykind under her hoof. Maybe she wouldn’t have run away from home and would have had a wonderful life. Maybe she never would have met Princess Twilight or Captain Celaeno. That last thought lingered longer than she expected. She cared deeply for Celaeno for she was easily her best friend and she didn’t want to lose that friendship no matter what. Perhaps friendship was worth all the trouble after all. 

No, she wouldn’t want that. No matter how much better her life might have been she wouldn’t want to give up what she gained for anything. Well, maybe anything. Her thoughts shifted back to her mother. More specifically her habit of trying to get Tempest to hook up with someone. It drove her nuts every time her mother brought up the subject of her getting hitched. It wasn’t because of how often it happens, but she was worried herself that she might not find someone  to fall in love with. Tempest didn’t use to believe in happy endings but now that things have changed she had a brighter view on life. Maybe life was about to turn around and give her a miracle after she lost so much. 

Once more she leaned into Celaeno for a brief second before stepping back walking side by side with her. Once back at their work area Tempest and Celaeno continued working together, occasionally Tempest would rub her tail against Celaeno who would return the gesture with a tug of her tail feathers. After working for the next hour they two finished their work and retreated back home with their spoils. 

When they arrived little Pinch was there to greet them. The filly was dressed as a large grape cluster with the main part of her costume being one giant grape with several smaller ones attached to her sides. To complete the look she had a hood with a stem and leaf where her horn was. Tempest watched in amusement as the fily waddled clumsily towards them and fell over sideways in her excitement. Both of them giggled at Pinches clumsy display as she waddled towards them. 

“Tempest, Celaeno! What do you think of my costume?” She ask clearly proud of her outfit.

“I think it’s absolutely adorable. What do you think Tempest?” Celaeno asked kneeling to pet Pinch on the head.

Tempest shrugged and ruffled Pinches head. “Looks good, kiddo. You going out tonight for Nightmare Night?”

“Yes! I’m gonna go with my friends, and get all kinds of candy and treats, and then we’re going to have a sleepover at my friends place!” Pinch said with excitement.

Tempest sat down allowing her cousin to hug her around the waist. She held on, pushing the plump costume feeling her hooves sink into the soft fabric. 

“Gonna share with me?” Tempest asked shaking her niece lightly.

“Of course!” Pinch said hugging her back.

Both ponies laughed while Celaeno just sat by and watched allowing the siblings to share their moment. Then she felt the filly run up and tackle hug her. She was shocked at first but allowed the intimate contact as she pet Pinch’s head. 

“Are you two gonna go treating with us?” She asked.

The two looked at each other sharing a knowing look. Nightmare Night was going to be their night to hangout and drink. No parents since they’d be watching the kids, no kids, and all the house was to themselves. Something they planned for, but they would tell anyone that. 

“Nah, little one, we’ve got a whole night planned.” Celaeno said with a straight face. 

Pinch tilted her head not fully getting what they meant.

“Really?” She asked.

Tempest nodded in response, “Yes, all to ourselves. We’re gonna hangout and drink some wine and eat some junk food.”

After their exchange Celaeno lifted Pinch and placed her onto Tempest's back. Pinch sat on her haunches and wrapped her arms around Tempest’s neck and held on as they walked into the house. Closing the door the three joined up with the family inside and enjoyed a nice early dinner while fillies and colts ran around outside in dress and costumes. Cheering and laughing about the night to come and the Nightmare Night Festival that’ll take place in the town square and singing their song, “NIghtmare Night, what a fright, give me something sweet to bite!”
> Storm and Shield
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was Nightmare Night, and all the foals were out and about gathering treats with friends and family. Celebrating life on this dark night with only the light of the moon to shine upon the land. The moonlight gave a eerie ambience that everyone could appreciate even after the Ursa attack. On this night Tempest was sitting on the couch with Celaeno looking out through the window at the moonlit landscape. 

The light of the moon shone brightly mixed with beautiful blues and black shadows like a Pisscatto painting. The light reflecting off objects only added a sense of depth to the world around them and made it that much more beautiful. Tempest couldn’t help but admire what Princess Luna must do to make the nights so beautiful. That is assuming she controlled all aspects of the night. Even if she didn’t it was still a beautiful night and Tempest was happily sharing it with Celaeno and three bottles of fine red wine and homemade biscotti. The light shined through the window like a stage light on a main character in a theater would and was truly a nice feeling.

Celaeno was laying sideways on the couch with her vest and pants still on but her hat was sitting on the table out of reach. She was semi holding Tempest on her lap with a glass of wine in one hand and the mare in a the other. Tempest held her glass between her hooves with half a biscotti in her mouth, and was slowly began eating it by taking little nibbles at it.The mare stretched her legs taking care not to drop her glass. She pushed her head back into her soft feathery pillow getting as comfy as possible. Once satisfied she gobbled the last of her biscotti and sipped her wine enjoying the mix of flavors in her mouth.

“Comfy now?” Celaeno asked patting the mares head.

“Hmmmmm, yes I am,” Tempest replied with a pur in her voice.

“Good, I am too.”

The two watched as a group of fillies ran past the house with their parents right behind them. One was dressed as a witch, a knight, and the last one was a pirate. Tempest snickered and pointed at the pirate dressed filly and all Celaeno did was glare at her. “We don’t even look like that.” She said with a huff, but Tempest calmed her down with a gentle nuzzle to her cheek. Celaeno sighed wrapping her arms around Tempest's neck allowing herself to let loose since no one was around. 

The exchange only lasted a few seconds before both felt too embarrassed to continue. Both separated from the hug but remained in their positions on the couch. After a few minutes of silence Celaeno picked up a biscotti and broke it in two, giving onto Tempest and keeping the other for herself. 

“Thanks,” Tempest said taking the broken treat in her mouth. 

“No problem,” Celaeno said taking a bite. “So, what’s this holiday supposed to celebrate? It seems like just a random excuse to give kids candy and dress silly.”

“Hmm? Oh, you don’t know?” Tempest asked genuinely surprised. 

Celaeno shrugged accidently pushing her chest out almost knocking Tempest off the couch. 

“Sorry, but I’ve never heard of the Holiday,” Celaeno said. 

Tempest readjusted herself after slipping off the couch. Once she was back in place she leaned her head back into her feather pillow and rested again she began to explain the whole origin of Nightmare Night.

“So, to start you should know that the Sun and Moon rise and lower because of two Princesses in Equestria. Princess Celestia rules the day and rises the Sun. At night Princess Luna rules and raises the Moon. Simple?” Celaeno nodded and allowed her to continue. “Well, long ago before any of us were born Luna lead a rebellion against Celestia. To save the world from eternal darkness, Celestia sealed Luna away in the moon where she waited for over one thousand years for the stars to align and aid her escape.” 

“Then she escaped a few years ago from her moon prison and tried to take over Equestria. Turns out she was possessed by some powerful force that turned her evil or something,” Tempest said, tapping her chin wondering if it was true. “Then a few years ago the ‘Elements of Harmony’ were used by six ponies who free Princess Luna from a dark spirit that inhabited her body. Thus Luna once again became Princess of the Night alongside her sister, Princess Celestia.”

Tempest took a minute to take a break and sip some of her wine. Celaeno waited patiently for her to finish drinking and took a minute to down some of her own wine as well. After a quick swig Tempest was ready to start talking again from where she left off.

“That’s how I learned about the Elements of Harmony. They weren’t exactly subtle. Plus everyone in Equestria knew them in one form or another.” Tempest sighed shaking her head with a great sense of disappointment in her voice. “Could they not see that by revealing themselves as heroes they were putting themselves in danger?”

At this moment Tempest felt another wave of shame come over her. The shame she felt when she realized she betrayed the ponies of Equestria for her own selfish desires. She betrayed everything ponies stood for that day. It was as Princess Twilight said, ‘Friendship didn’t fail me, I failed friendship.’ The words rang in Tempest Shadow’s mind over and over like a sinister bell tolling for her sins. She could see parallels between her and Princess Luna. Both thought they lost something that made them who they were.

Princess Luna lost her subjects to her sister and jealousy overcame her. Tempest lost her horn and thought she had no place in pony society. It made her feel sick in her stomach to think of the things she did before. Sure all was forgiven but deep down she still felt a small sense of guilt for her acts. Her thoughts went back to Princess Twilight’s proposal to become a personal guard. Perhaps in a way that was a form of atonement. What better punishment for the one who threatened the Princess of Friendship but to become her personal guard as punishment?

“Hey, you alright?” 

Celaeno’s voice startled Tempest out of her thoughts. She nearly dropped her wine but managed to catch it with her hooves. She turned her neck to look at Celaeno who had a worried look on her. “You alright? Didn’t mean to scare you.” She said petting the unicorn's mane.

“It’s fine,” Tempest said looking away to hide her blush. “I was just thinking.”

“Do you want to talk about it now?” Celaeno asked again. 

Tempest was starting to get irritated. She didn’t want to talk about her problems with Celaeno, yet the bird brain insisted on establishing that dialogue. She was about to refute when she caught noticed a worried look on Celaeno. The sadden almost depressed look on her almost broke Tempest in one go. She never thought the brave former pirate would show such emotional weakness in her life. Then again she knew her better than that. 

Out of everyone she met Celaeno was the one creature she would trust with her life. If that was true then why was she so hesitant to tell her about the job proposal? She had no reason to fear telling her right? Taking some time to think about it Tempest indeed concluded she had nothing to gain from keeping this all bottled up. Who knows? Perhaps by talking it out with Celaeno she might even be able to come to a decision so Princess Twilight could finally get her answer. 

Taking one last long gulp to finish her glass of wine Tempest swallowed it all in one go. With her glass now empty she quickly placed it on the table with such speed Celaneo almost thought the mare threw the glass across the room. Free from holding the glass Tempest leaned back without reservations. “I got offered a job,” She said rather bluntly out of the blue. 

Celaeno blinked dumbly not sure what to make of what was said. To her something as simple as getting a job didn’t make someone you knew act so strangely. Their previous conversation now forgotten Celaeno took the initiative to gather herself and pursue this topic before Tempest changed her mind about talking.

“So, what kind of job are you talking about here?” She asked the unicorn on her lap. “Like… a job in town? On the farm? A teacher maybe?”

The response Celaeno got wasn’t what she expected. Tempest just stared and smiled then she said, “No, Princess Twilight asked if I wanted to become her personal guard.”

“Oh, well dang it Tempest,” she said rubbing her forehead. 

“What?”

Celaeno shook her head taking another sip of her wine. Noticing she was low, and the fact she may need more in this conversation, she took a moment to refill her glass to the brim. She then placed the glass aside and glared down at Tempest holding her under her front legs like a child would a stuffed toy. With her captive in arms she waited to hear what Tempest had to say before continuing on. Taking the hint the unicorn continued.

“I was given a letter from the Princess herself from my mother. It offered me a position as her personal royal guard, but I'm not sure if I’m ready or worthy of it,” Tempest said in great discomfort. 

The mare fidgeted in Celaeno’s arms. Scooting back and pressed her head back and looked up at Celaeno, her nose almost touching her chin. Celaeno just smiled back down at her and pressed her beak to Tempest’s nose and gently rubbing it.

“I think you’re more than worthy. If the Princess seems to think so then you got nothing to be worried about,” Celaeno said. “Why were you so worried about that?”

Tempest didn’t answer right away. She didn’t want to answer. She knew she was being foolish after hearing Celaeno say it, she knew in her mind it was silly, but she couldn’t help feel like she still wasn’t worthy. She wished she could dispel these thoughts and move on with her life. As if sensing her fears, Celaeno took her arms and held Tempest Shadow’s hooves in her hands. She squeezed them gently and once more pushed her beak into the mares nose calming her.

“You are worthy Tempest,” She said almost scoldingly. “You helped save your hometown, you made so many friends, helped work your families vineyard, and saved a  lot of lives. What pony or creature in their right mind would deny that?”

“But, what I did in the past-”

“Is in the past, and THAT’S final.” Celaeno firmly squeezed the mares hooves. “And don’t let me catch you saying or thinking otherwise.”

Tempest felt her heart flutter at her words. They were said with such conviction and absolutely no doubt or hesitation. It was at this moment Tempest knew Celaeno’s words were 100% genuine. It put her mind at ease hearing her say those words and made Tempest lose most of the self doubt she held onto. It was still there, but had nowhere near to the hold on her it did before.

Both of them were silent then with smiles they leaned in and deeply nozzled each other. Tempest rolled over and laid her chest against Celaneo who released her hooves. The unicorn rubbed the soft feathers with her hooves and pressed her head under Celaneo’s chin like a cat would to its owner.

With a girly chuckle Tempest asked, “Celaeno, why are you so awesome?”

Celaeno shrugged and placed her hands on Tempest Shadow's back. “Because I have an awesome marefriend who doesn’t know what to do with herself. Thus it makes me look far better than I am.”

“Oh? I’m your marefriend now am I?” Tempest said playfully nuzzling Celaeno. 

What she got in response was a firm grip on her flank and a gentle but firm cheek to cheek nuzzle. 

“Why not? We’ve played this dance for so long no, Tempest,” Canelo said sounding a bit sad. “Why not make it official? You like me and I sure as heck like you. Right?”

Tempest took the moment of doubt in Celaena's voice to play with her. She pretended to look like she was thinking, mumbling to herself as if the thought never crossed her mind. Celaeno blushed deep red almost fuming that Tempest never noticed her advances before. Then she noticed the cheeky grin Tempest was giving her and with a playful swat to the nose Tempest and Celaeno shared a heartfelt laughter together. 

“You’re so mean!” 

“Yeah, but you’re not mad, and you know it!” Tempest rebutted. “Besides, I’ve always known. I was just biding my time waiting for you to say it first.”

Blushing again Celaeno was happy to see this playful side of Tempest she’d only seen glimpses of in the past. When she worked for the Storm King it was all work and strict professionalism for both of them. They never talked about their feelings before for one another, but it didn’t have to be said. They just knew what the other was thinking. Even though it annoyed her to some degree Celaeno wasn’t that upset being the one to confess to Tempest first. 

“Yeah, I know. I think you should take the job Tempest,” Celaeno said holding Tempest closer. “And anywhere you go, I’ll go with you.”

Now it was Tempest's turn to blush. She’d heard such words before but to hear them from someone she cared for meant the world to her. Perhaps this was jumping the gun a little, but as her mother wholly points out every possible time she wasn’t getting younger. And happiness may only come once for her, so Tempest wasn’t taking chances with this one. She took a leap of faith in that moment. Tempest leaned up and pressed her lips to Celaeno’s cheek giving her a gentle kiss.

Both were now red with embarrassment as Tempest pulled away hiding herself in Celaeno's feathery fluffy chest. “This is so humiliating,” Tempest said in a muffled voice from her hiding spot. “I blame you for this.”

“You know you love me,” Celaeno jested. 

Tempest peeked from her hiding spot and smiled at Celaeno kissing her neck. “Yeah, I sure do.”

Tempest then looked over towards the glass of wine and filled it then levitated the full glass with a bright blue sparkling surge of magic over it and raised it to toast with Celaeno’s glass. The two glasses tapped sending out a harmonious resonance as they drank together.

The two drank more wine and ate the remaining biscotti until there was only one left. Tempest lifted the last one with a powerful surge of magic and brought it over to her mouth and gripped it with her teeth. With the biscotti in her mouth she leaned up offering it to Celaeno who didn’t know what to do reached down and bit the bread stick in half eating her half, before she noticed Tempest was frowning at her with her half still in her mouth and giggling it up and down. Celaeno immediately knew what the mare wanted of her.

Slowly and carefully Celaeno leaned inward. Her neck craned down with a show of great flexibility as she opened her beak and bit down on the end of the half eatten biscotti. She looked straight into Tempest's eyes which had a predatory hunger behind them. Then without a word both began to slowly inch closer and closer eating their ends of the biscotti awaiting the moment they would meet at the center. It was a blissful moment for both of them two former renegades with nothing to lose now ready to lovingly embrace one another on this wonderful night. 

*Click FLASH!*

In an instant the moment was gone. Celaeno barely had time to register in her mind what had happened when a bright flash blinded her, Tempest let out a shriek, and was off like a shot after her mother all within the blink of an eye. She bet that broke her record. She turned to lay on the back of the couch and watched mother and daughter chase each other around the house fussing over the camera. Celaeno had to admit that she like Chardonnay despite being a bit pushy, she was a kind mare who just wanted her daughter to be happy. Celaeno was sure of it but the camera flashing was good sign that she was giving her approval in a way. Then again unlike her daughter, Chardonnay wasn’t hard to get an answer form.

Sitting back down Celaeno flexed her hand and took her glass and drank under the blue moonlit night until Tempest rejoined her a few minutes later.
> Storms Rest
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning Tempest awoke to the sounds of birds chirping outside the window. She noticed that she was asleep atop of Celaeno and the curtains had been drawn shadowing them from the bright sunlight outside. Celaeno was snoozing away and a heavy blanket was covering both of them. Tempest remembered the previous night. After taking more embarrassing photos of her and chasing her the two fell asleep and Chardonnay placed the blanket over them. 

Tempest loved this particular blanket. It was thick large velvet and fleece blanket that she used during the winters when she was a filly. She loved this blanket both for its use and the nostalgia it gave her. Fond memories came back when she would snuggle with her parents, or how they’d use this blanket when she was sick, or lonely. It was more valuable to Tempest than almost any object she could possess because of the sentimental value it had. Now, she was able to share it with Celaeno and that was something she looked forward to doing in the future again. 

For now though she had to take on the monumental task of getting up. With her plush pillow and warm blanket around her and Celaeno it was hard to find the motivation to awaken fully. She didn’t want to face the harsh cold she knew awaited her after she got up. Here she was warm, here she was safe from the harsh cruel world. Here she was in the embrace of someone she truly cared for and nothing could take that away from her.

“Hey, you awake there?” Celaeno asked petting her mane back.

The soothing voice of her friend awoke Tempest from her slumber. She was covered head to heel with a blanket and poked her head from under the cover. She peeked up at Celaeno and was greeted with a smile and a gentle head pat. Celaeno smiled down at her and pressed her forehead against the unicorns.

“I am now dummy,” Tempest said with a gentle headbutt at Celaneo. “Now you have to take responsibility for what you’ve done.”

“Oh, no, now I’ve gone and done it.” Celaeno replied, with a chuckle. 

The parrot female shifted her weight on the couch and allowed Tempest to lay on her like she was a body pillow. Tempest’s legs dangled off the side of the couch and her chin rested on Celaeno’s chest. 

“Should we get up now?” Tempest asked not wanting to move.

“Eh, not really. I just want to stay like this forever,” Celaeno replied petting her mare. 

Tempest rolled slightly onto her side nuzzling Celaeno’s soft chest. 

“Mmmhmm. I don’t want to get up either, but eventually we have too,” Tempest said, snuggling up. “Until then, let’s stay like this for a bit longer.”

Celaeno nodded in agreement and the remained like this for another hour or so. Then as the hour rolled by the two of them smelled the scent of coffee brewing somewhere in the house. The smell of the morning brew was enough to awaken both Celaeno and Tempest from their deep sleep. With disgruntled grunts and moans they forced themselves up drawn to the smell of the life giving brew. Throwing off the blanket they realized just how cold it was this morning. Tempest shivered and rubbed her shoulders to try and warm up, while Celaneo remained unfazed. 

Tempest first rolled off Celaeno and flopped over onto her hooves. The agility she showed was amazing for someone who was still half asleep. Celaeno followed with a little less grace. She sat up on the couch and stretched her arms overhead and groaned feeling her stiff joints crack loose. She then watched as Tempest unsteadily made her way towards the kitchen like a shambling zombie, drawn to the smell of the coffee that awaited her. Celaneo giggled at the slight sway in her step as she droned on, and perhaps a bit too long at the mares tone flank. 

“Now I know you’re not ogling my daughter now are you, miss Celaeno?” Said a voice form beside her. 

The parrot female turned to see Chardonnay in the opposite doorway. She was grinning like a troublesome teen who was about to pull a prank at any moment. It made Celaeno a bit nervous considering the topic that came up. Quickly she tried to deny the accusation made against her. 

“Oh! N-no ma’am! I was just stretching!” She said hastily, waving her hands defensively. 

The older middle aged mare laughed kindly. “Oh, don’t be worried dear. I was just teasing!” The mare said. 

Celaeno sighed in relief glad she wasn’t about to be told off by Tempest Shadow’s mother. She knew she had won the mothers approval but she still felt nervous around her. This was compounded by the fact they haven’t told her they were officially together. 

“Oh and don’t worry, I approve of you being with my daughter.”

That shocked Celaeno to her core. How did Chardonnay know they were together? Did she accidently say something? No, it had to be the way they behaved around each other. The cuddling, the playful banter, it was so obvious that it now made Celaeno feel self conscious about it. How could she make such a fool of herself in front of Chardonnay? She would never live this down, and knowing how Chardonnay was with Tempest she knew she was in for a ride when the photos the mare took were developed. 

“Don’t worry, dear. I won’t tease you too badly,” The older mare said to Celaeno,patting her shoulder. “I may have wished Fizzlepop got a stallion, but truth be told I’m just happy she found someone to be with. She was always so lonely after she lost her magic. Never went out, never made new friends. Then one day she up and left. I was afraid I’d never see her again.”

Celaeno just waited and listened to the mare. She had never known what happened to Tempest prior to her time with the Storm King. Now, hearing what her mother had to say it was obvious what Tempest’s motivations were and why she was so obsessed with impressing the Storm King. Chardonnay went on to tell Celaeno everything that happened to Tempest in her childhood and why she ran away from home.

As Celaeno watched Tempest make her morning coffee she was surprised to see Berry Punch walking around. The mulberry mare greet her niece with her usual cheery disposition. Berry Pinch was standing next to her mother smiling up at Tempest and jumped up to hug her. Celaeno smiled when Tempest reached down to hug her cousin and kissed her forehead. From the pantry, Merlot came out with a large bag of flower on his back and bid everyone a ‘good morning’ before he went to make breakfast while everyone helped.

“It’s nice to have the family back together,” Chardonnay said, standing beside Celaeno. 

“Yeah, it seems nice. I wouldn’t mind having a family with Tempest,” Celaeno said crossing her arms and putting her weight on her gem leg. “By the way, her real name is Fizzlepop?”

Chardonnay nodded. “Mmhmm! Her original name was Fizzlepop Berrytwist. I should let you know it’s not uncommon for us ponies to change names either after marriage or leaving the house to live on their own.”

“Really?”

Celaneo was surprised by that notion. She’d known that some marry and change their names, that was common for most species in the world she knew. But to just change ones name on a whim? She wondered if there was another reason the ponies changed their names? Perhaps it might have something to do with the strange marks on their flanks, she wondered. Then she remembered Tempest didn’t have one like her parents, aunt, or even Pinch. Was that normal too? She turned to Chardonnay and asked, “Why doesn’t Tempest have a cutie mark like the rest of you?”

Then there was a change I Chardonnay’s demeanor. Suddenly the mare looked rather sad as if Celaeno had just asked why a family member died or something tragic. Celaeno wondered if she was too blunt in her tone, or if asking about cutie marks was too personal? Perhaps the reason Tempest not having one was directly related to something bad like the loss of her horn? Worried she might offend the mare further she quickly kneeled down giving her a sheepish look.

“I’m sorry, that was rude of me! I didn’t mean to upset you and-”

“No, it’s not your fault, Celaeno,” Chardonnay said shaking her head and looking down. “Truth is a cutie mark is something that shows one specific trait you are good at or is a symbol with a different meaning. But that they can follow interests outside of their cutie mark and be just as good at it.”

Celaneo must have had a dumb look on her face, because Chardonnay took one look at her and giggled shrugging casually and saying, “I know it’s confusing. Truth is a cutie mark doesn’t limit  apony to a specific thing if you’re wondering. It just shows one particular trait or talent a pony is good at, what they do with that talent is up to them. If I wanted I could use my grape growing skills and expand to general gardening, or I could have become a grape seller at the market. A cutie mark is part of a pony and we see it as a rite of passage into adulthood for most. But when she lost her magic and she ran away we assumed she’d given up.”

As she listened to the mares words the meaning of what it meant to be a pony was starting to sink in. Celaeno never understood why cutie marks were so important nor why Tempest had such an obsession with fixing her horn. In a strange way Chardonnay wasn’t wrong, Tempest had given up on her magic in a traditional sense. Instead she used her unbridled might and raw power from her horn to solver all her problems in one show of might. Admittedly it was one of the things Celaeno liked about the dark purple mare. 

She thought about what Tempest must have gone through all these years. Being alone with no others of her kind to comfort her. No family to turn to. No friends. Celaneo was at least with her own kind when the Storm King took over so she wasn’t completely alone. She had family back in the Badlands who loved her and she could go to anytime. Yet, Tempest felt like she didn’t belong. It made Celaeno glad she opened up to the mare the previous night, because it was truly magical.

“Hey, wait a minute!” Celaeno suddenly yelled out. “What kind of magic can Tempest do without her horn?”

Chardonnay looked at her with a curious look. She thought for a minute and gave her answer.

“Most unicorns can’t use magic without exhausting themselves. Like my daughter a unicorn without a horn that uses magic expelled mana at alarming rates. If not careful a unicorn could exhaust themselves to death,” Chardonnay said to her. “Even the most common magics like levitation and light spells can’t be performed by unicorns without their horns. A horn is like a conduit that allows them to perform magic and control it. It’s what allows them to use various spells. My daughter can’t do that because of her broken horn.”

Celaeno looked into the kitchen, leaning to the side to peer out of the corner and watched as Tempest stood on her back legs and opened a cabinet where the plates were. What she saw next made her tilt her head and look back at Chardonnay. 

“Are you sure?” Celaeno asked, as she used her thumb to gesture into the kitchen.

Chardonnay tilted her head and walked past Celaeno to peer into the kitchen. Both looked in and saw what Celneho was talking about. “Fizzlepop!” Chardonnay gasped startling everyone in the kitchen. Tempest was levitating a plate with her magic like it was perfectly normal until her mother’s gasp made her drop the plate. The ceramic plate fell and hit the floor shattering it to many pieces. 

“Geez mom! Can’t you give me a little warning before you start screaming?!” Tempest scolded the mare. “Great, I broke one of the flower collection too! Geez, what’s got you all excited?”
> Shield and Sword
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next few hours for Tempest were some of the most stressful and enlightening hours she felt in a long time. She somehow relearned to use her magic to a very basic degree, often with explosive results. Then the constant harassment from her mother and scolding her father gave her mother was beginning to annoy her. Top it all that she knew Celaeno was responsible for this, albeit indirectly, she was constantly fighting the urge to zap her from time to time. 

Celaeno was scarce most of the conversation feeling Tempest might actually try to zap her. Everytime she would peer into the kitchen area Tempest would glare from the corner of her eye and her horn would spark to life with threatening intentions. Each time it made her feel small and Celaeno would slink away to avoid the wrathful mares glare. After Tempest’s father managed to pry his wife away from their child and took her outside to calm down, Tempest was left with Berry Punch and Celaeno, who still refused to enter the kitchen out of fear of swift lightning retribution. 

Berry Punch watched the exchange go on for several minutes while she continued to make breakfast in Merlot's place. After what felt like the hundredth time of Tempest glaring at Celaeno, Berry Punch gave her a swift glare of her own. Tempest sighed slumping in her seat in a non threatening manner. This opening gave Celaeno a chance to slink into the kitchen without the fear of being attacked mercilessly. Taking a seat next ot Tempest, Celaeno made eye contact with the angry mare. Tempest huffed looking away and stared outside the window, but subtly moved closer to Celaeno. 

Berry Punch giggled watching from the corner of her eye as Tempest made the move. She kept a watchful gaze on them as she finished making breakfast. Once breakfast was made everyone joined together at the table to eat and talk.  Celaeno took her place next to Tempest with Berry punch and Pinch across from them and Merlot and his wife sat across from opposite ends. It was a simple meal with pancakes, haybacon, eggs, and toast, and of course more wine and juice for the little one. Breakfast went without incident and after it everyone helped clear the table and clean.

Once all that was done Tempest promptly dragged Celaeno upstairs into her room, shut and locked the door. Tempest then scurried to her desk that was too small for her and rolled the chair out for Celaeno. The parrot female sat down while Tempest planted herself on the floor near her pile of plush toys. Celaeno glanced between the mountain of toys and Tempest who was wearing her under armour suit with her armor off to the side of the toys. 

The look on Celaneo’s face must have been quite confused because Tempest felt the need to clear up that her toys were from her younger years. Celaeno already knew she was on a short leash as it was and said nothing. She did however have to suppress a giggled and hide it behind  fake cough to not get caught. Once this was all said and done Tempest used her magic to levitate Princess Twilight’s scroll over and offered it to Celaeno. When she took the scroll from Tempests magical grasp there was magical residue that left a small charge to the scroll. Upon contact with the scroll Celaeno experienced a tiny shock, like the kind one would have from rubbing balloons all over their body, or wools socks on a carpet. 
Cleaneo shook her hand from the sudden shock nearly dropping the scroll in the process. Tempest immediately rushed over and took Celeano’s clawed hand in her hooves. 

“Oh, I’m sorry Celaeno!” She said, looking over Celaeno’s claw. “Does it hurt?”

Tempest looked closely at her hand rubbing her hoof around Celaeno’s palm. Celaeno blushed feeling Tempest give her a gentle inspection, and the prospect this was indirect form of holding hands in a way. To put the mares mind at ease Celaeno cupped the pony’s hooves in her hands holding them firmly and pressing her head against Tempest’s, while taking care not to poke her eye out over the broken horn.

“Don’t worry Tempest. I’m fine. It was just a little shock, that’s all,” She said kindly to her worried marefriend. “See, I’m fine.” 

“Are you sure?” Tempest asked, worry clear in her tone. 

“Yes, I’m fine. Now what’s this?” 

Celaeno hoping to shift the mares attention away from the shock she caused her took the scroll and began to unroll it. Tempest shifted close, snuggling up beside Celaeno to rest her head on her shoulder as the scroll unrolled.

“It’s a letter from Princess twilight asking me to become the leader of her personal guard. I was wondering what you thought about it, and if you could give me your opinion on it?” She asked her parrot girlfriend. “I’ve waited a while to answer, but I wanted this to be a decision we both made.”

Celaeno smiled knowingly at that. 

“I’m glad you thought that far ahead, but does that mean you always knew I liked you?” Celaeno asked jokingly.

Tempest scoffed turning her nose up. “That should go without saying.”

“Well, joking aside why don’t you want to do this?” Celaeno asked waving the scroll at Tempest. “Isn’t this considered a great honor to ponies? Being appointed by royalty?”

“Well, yes but that would be true for anyone in the world,” Tempest stated flatly. 

Celaeno rolled up the scroll and gave it back to Tempest. The unicorn took the scroll and placed it in a hidden pocket in her rashguard, before leaning her head into Celaeno’s chin rubbing the underside of it with her muzzle.

“Do you think I’d make a good guard?” She asked.

“Yes, I think you’d make an excellent guard,” Celaeno answered immediately. “You’re confident, strong, brave, and have a strong sense of loyalty. I think you’d be perfect for it.”

It was nice to hear these words from Celaeno. It put Tempest at ease to some degree knowing that someone had absolute confidence in her for this. However if Celaeno was one thing it was perceptive, and she knew Tempest better than she knew herself at times. Now would be one such time. Taking her hands Celeano wrapped them around Tempest’s waist and pulled her onto her lap and nuzzled her from behind. She rubbed her beak against the ponies ear and whispered gently to her in their embrace.

“So, why don’t you feel like you’re worthy of this?”

Tempest sighed shifting her weight to turn sideways and curl up in Celaeno’s arms. Once she was comfy she pushed the parrot down and used her as a makeshift bed, and resting her chin on Celaeno’s shoulder.

“I don’t feel like I’ve done anything to deserve it. Honestly I did so much wrong to Princess Twilight and Equestria in general that I’m surprised she even let me off the hook without any repercussions. I admit I wish I knew her reasoning for that,” Tempest said in a low tone. 

Here she was again feeling worried over something she was sure was nothing. Perhaps her mother was right, she worried about things way too much. If that wasn’t enough proof the next thing Celaeno said was the metaphorical straw that broke the camel's back on the subject.

“Well, I think you’re worried about being tied down aren’t you?,” Celaeno asked calmly.

Tempest gave the question some thought while she held onto Celaeno’s arms with hers. 

“What do you think I should do?” Tempest asked.

Now the mare had two main reasons for asking this question. It was true that part of her wanted to become a guard, but part of her didn’t want to become tied to one particular place. It was the same reason she didn’t want to stay nor leave home. She missed her family and the time she spent with them has been an experience she’d never want to give up. Time with her mother, father, aunt, and niece too. She didn’t want to leave them, or not see them for long periods of time. 

However she was sure she’d be able to spend time with her family and Celaeno if she asked. However she knew she didn’t want to be seperate from Celaeno if possible. SO she was trying to see if Celaeno would give her a hint with her answer that might help with her decision. 

Celaeno cracked a smile and pet Tempest’s mane once more before answering, “I’d like to stay together, but truth is I’ll do whatever you want. I will go wherever you chose.”

Tempest smiled at that. It made her heart flutter to hear someone say that to her. No one in a long time said that to her outside her family, and hearing Celaeno say it made her feel that much greater. As they lay together the unicorn thought long and hard on what she wanted from her life, and then thinking of all the things she’d done, the places she traveled, the creatures she met, she decided there was one place she truly wanted to be. 

“Celano?”

“Hmm? What is it, hon?” Celaeno looked down at the smaller unicorn in her arms. 

“Can you take a letter for me? I’m ready to give my answer to the Princess,” Tempest stated.

Celeano smiled nodding and got up to go fetch a quill, ink, and parchment. She practically skipped out of the room and left Tempest alone on the couch. The search didn’t take long Once she found all the items she promptly returned and sat back on the couch. Tempest took no time to leap back into her lover’s lap like a pet would and sat down. 

“So, why not write eit yourself?” Celeano asked inking the quill. “Can;t you write with your magic or is it too hard?”

Tempest shook her head. “Nah, I might just set the quill and parchment on fire with it after holding it for a whole letter.” 

“That didn’t happen with the grape you threw at me,” Celaeno stated rubbing Tempest’s nose with the soft feathery end.

“Achoo! You knock that off! And I didn’t hold the grape long enough for it to catch fire,” She said swatting the quill away, but Celaeno continued to poke the bear. “If you don’t stop I swear Celaeno…”

The parrot female chuckled lightly waving her hands in a surrender motion and took the quil away from Tempest’s nose. After settling down from antagonizing Tempest Celaneo readied the quill, making sure to keep the inkwell in arms reach when needed.

“Ready,” She said doing a few practice motions with her wrist.

Tempest took a long deep breath and held it for ten seconds. She then exhaled and put on a soft smile knowing what she had to do. She was ready to start a new beginning and it would all begin with this letter.

“Dear Princess Twilight-”
> Bright Future Forthward
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Twilight was sitting on her throne looking over the crystal Cutie Map. She was taking some personal time to catch up on some reading after taking care of Cozy Glow’s uprising and her students took some very much needed vacation time. She was relaxing on a cushy pillow on her throne reading the latest entry to the famed Daring Do series titled: Daring Do and the Golden Chicken. While reading she basked in the silence allowing herself to be drawn into the wonderful action adventure story, when suddenly a light blue magic fire swirled in through the window above her. 

The fire swirled around leading towards her until it came within a hoofs reach in distance. Then it curled into itself into a small smokey ball before turning into a rolled up scroll. Twilight looked down at the curious scroll, she hadn’t been expecting anything from anyone as far as she could remember. Putting her book carefully down after book marking it, because one should never bend a page in a book, she took the scroll with her magic and examined it. No royal seal so it wasn’t from another of her fellow Princesses, so who could it have been from?

Opening the scroll she examined its contents. She smiled reading it and realized it was from Tempest Shadow. She’d finally responded to her inquires about becoming a Royal Guard for her. Tempest Shadow had accepted the role of Captain in the Royal Guard along with former Captain Celaeno. While unexpected, Twilight was more than happy to accept the late captain as another of her guards. The anthro parrot female had proven more than once her loyalty to friends and comrades when helping against the Storm King. It was a surprise to Twilight however that Tempest and Celaeno were close enough for Tempest to ask such a request of her, but she’d talk to the mare about it when she arrived. 

Once she read her letter she rolled it back up and placed it neatly beside her book at went back to reading. She had plenty of time before Tempest and Celaeno arrived. They were going to travel on foot to get back which would take probably a month she guessed based on how long it took Starlight to get there. No doubt they’d stop to see the sights too. Still, Twilight made a note to begin preparation immediately after she finished reading one more chapter. There was so much to do and it would take some time to make all the necessary preparations for Tempest and Celaeno’s arrival but it was important to greet her new guards with a warm welcome. 

“Oh, Clappy! Get Spike and Starlight, we have new guards coming soon!” Twilight yelled from the map room. 

Silence followed for a few seconds and Twilight continued reading like usual even as a gruff voice called back from somewhere in the castle. “Yes, your majesty!”

A series of barely audible mumbles came from the pony as heavy hoofsteps echoed in the halls. Twilight giggled and flipped a page in her book with her magic shaking her head. “Oh, Clappy. Someday you’ll appreciate the nickname.”

Meanwhile Tempest was busy packing her things in her room when a gentle rapping came from the door. “Who is it?” She asked placing some of her dolls in a knapsack and slinging it over her back. She was now in her armor with a black cloak over her when she turned to address whoever was at the door. 

She opened the door to find Berry Pinch sitting with a dumb smile on her face.There was nothing but mischief on Pinch’s face and it made Tempest wary of her intentions. 

“Hey there, kiddo. What’s going on? Come to say goodbye?” Tempest asked leaning towards the filly. 

Pinch only smiled and shook her head, but Tempest could tell something was off. Pinch was in a giddy/fidgety mood. Her body twitched like she was on a sugar rush, her tail twitched left to right, and she kept looking around as if expecting something to happen. Tempest opened the door more and opened her mouth to speak, but before she got a word out a bucket of water fell atop her head leaving her drenched. Pinch’s giggles echoed in the bucket as Tempest slowly closed her mouth and grinned under the bucket.

“Oh? You want to play games huh?” She asked tauntingly. “Then you better run runt! Or I’ll catch you and let you meet the tickle monster again!”

“EEEK! NO NOT THE TICKLE MONSTER!” Pinch screamed scurrying away.

Tempest giggled and gave chase. She chased Berry Pinch around the house. Celaeno was giggling watching the full grown mare act like a rowdy foal chasing her niece around the living room. The filly squealed as she hopped over the couch, table, and eventually ran into a corner forcing herself to stop. Tempest stood between the filly and her escape closing in on her with a huge grin on her face giving no room for Pinch to escape. 

“No place to run now, runt!” She said playfully. 

Little Pinch gasped squatting down like a cat, hopping from side to side to try and throw Tempest off so she could run past. Tempest knew this trick very well. Combined with her nieces body language she knew she’d try to feint her to the left and charge to the right. She counted the seconds as Pinch hopped back and forth. 

One.

Pinch hopped left.

Two.

Pinch hopped back to the right. 

Three.

Then she bolted left full sprint. The charge came so sudden that Tempest had no time to react as Pinch bolted right past her in a small mulberry blur. Tempest gasped glancing back behind her seeing Pinch run up to Celaeno and get scooped up by her strong talon hands. Smiling up at Celaeno she was cradled like a foal in her arms and reached up getting a fist bump from Celaeno with her hoof.

“Nice work, kiddo!” Celaeno said proud of the filly’s escape. 

“I know right? I didn’t think Tempest would fall for it!” Pinch replied happily.

Celaeno chuckled glancing back at Tempest who was pouting at them from the corner. 

“Oh, don’t be so grumpy, Tempest,” Celaeno said to her comfortingly. “You can’t catch them all!”

Celaeno gave a playful swing of her tail feathers making Tempest blush.

“Yeah, give me until tonight and you’ll change your tune!” Tempest said walking back to stand beside her.

Celaeno blushed at the implications of that statement as the words swam in her mind forming a series of scenarios that could unfold from them tonight. The fun was over and all three of them were ready to call it a night. It was well past Pinch’s bedtime and Berry Punch was now entering the room to take her daughter to bed. However Pinch gave her mother a sad pout and turned to hug Tempest and refused to let go.

“Pinch! Sweetie it’s time for bed!” Berry Punch called to her daughter. 

“I don’t wanna,” Pinch pouted with ahuff. “If I go to bed then Tempest and Celaeno will leave!”

Suddenly the room had a heavy feel to it. The adults knew the filly was upset and why but they knew this conversation was most likely to come up. Thus Berry Punch took it upon herself to comfort her daughter. She walked up and sat next to Tempest this caused the filly to bury her face into her cousin’s chest more. The smell of her wet fur and armor filled her nose as Pinch tried hard not to let go despite the weird smell Tempest gave.

“Now, little one, I know you’re upset,” The older mare said rubbing the fillies back. “But you know this isn’t going to be the last time we’ll see Tempest or Celaeno right?”

Tempest nodded silently rubbing her little cousin’s mane back while her mother rubbed her back. Pinch sniffled and peeked a puffy red eye out at her mother. 

“Really?” She asked almost desperately. 

Berry Punch giggled kindly and nuzzled her daughter in the back of her head. 

“Yes, my little berry,” She said. “You see, Tempest and Celaeno are moving to Ponyville. You’ll be able to see them all the time now!”

The filly gasped looking up at her cousin in surprise. “Really?!”

“Yes, little one,” Tempest said kindly. “I’ll be working in Ponyville so I’ll be living here too. You can come visit me anytime and I’ll come visit sometimes too.”

Berry Pinch looked up at Celaeno who for the most part was silently watching, not wanting to ruin the moment. Pinch then broke away from Tempest and tackled the former pirate’s good leg and hugged it. 

“Will you live there too, Celaeno?” She asked hopefully. 

“Of course I will! I have to keep an eye on Tempest after all!” Celaeno chirped. 

Pinch giggled and leaned up closer to Celaeno. “To make sure she doesn’t try to take over Ponyville?”

Everyone in the room laughed at Tempest Shadows expense, and all the unicorn could do was snort indignantly and give a flat stare at everyone, particallary Celaeno. She winked at her unicorn lover and gave her a cheeky smile. Tempest replied with a snort and stuck her nose up trying to put on her tough face.  

“I haven’t even left home, and I barely finished packing and already I’m regretting this,” Tempest said flatly.

After the laughter died down Pinch was herded by her mother upstairs, but not before giving both Celeano and Tempest one last hug each. She made them promise to come visit when she got back. Berry Punch then stepped forward and hugged Tempest. 

“Auntie, I’m so glad you managed to turn your life around. You have a great filly,” Tempest said kindly nuzzling her aunt. 

Berry Punch smiled nuzzling her niece back in the cheek. “And you have come a long way and grow into such a strong independent mare, Fizzlepop. Just don’t run away again? You have a family that loves you and we’ll help with anything we can. I love you  my, little grape vine.”

Tempest nodded pulling away from the mare. “I love you too, Auntie.”

Berry Punch then addressed Celeano with a stern gaze making her stand firmly in place. “If anything happens or I find out you upset my little grape vine, so help me Celeano-”

“Auntie! It’s bad enough mom and dad did that!” Tempest scolded the mare.

Berry Punch playfully pouted. “But Fizzlepop, as the adult it’s my right to say such things!”

Tempest groaned pushing her aunt towards the stair with Pinch in tow. “Don’t you have a foal to put to bed?! Good night, Pinch!”

“Goodnight Tempest!” Pinch called back from up the stairs. 

Once the mother and child were away Chardonnay and Merlot came to see their daughter off as Pinch was taken to bed by her mother. Merlot had a huge bundle of wine bottled in cloth on his back and Chardonnay was carrying a basket of food no doubt. Tempest smiled knowing they meant well, but Tempest and Clean agreed to travel light and this severely hindered the travel light part. None the less they took the gifts with a smile and praise.

“Wow, Mom and Dad, you two didn’t have to do this,” Tempest said unbundling the wine while Celaeno looked in the basket. 

The wine was her father’s best aged wine he had, Scottard Greenland 87’. Tempest knew this was from his personal stash that he never opened unless something special happened or a yearly celebration such as birthdays or the Summer Sun Celebration. In the basket was some of Chardonnay’s best cooked foods. Plenty to feed both of them for a two way trip to Ponyville. 

“Geez Mom, this is too much,” Tempest said looking over the contents. “And Dad, are you sure you want to give this to us?”

Both parents smiled at their daughter while hugging her. Tempest was startled by the sudden hug but smiled and quickly hugged them back. She nuzzled each parent in the cheek and giving them each a kiss. Merlot ruffled her mane and Chardonnay began to tear up. Tempest quickly took hold of her mother with Merlot who was rubbing his wife's back trying to calm her down.

“Mom, what are you crying for? Tempest asked clearly worried. “Are you hurt?”

Soft gasps and sniffles came from her mother who couldn't seem to form words at this point. The mare was trying to hold back her tears but it was clear to everyone there that she was saddened to see her filly go again. In her broken state, Merlot took it upon himself to answer in her stead. 

“Your mother’s fine dear, she’s just worried you’ll disappear for years again,” He said softly. “But you will come back, right kiddo?”

“Of course I’ll come back! I have my family back and I will never give you guys up for anything!” Tempest said hugging her parents firmly. 

That pesky feeling of guilt began to rise in her heart once more, and Tempest found herself torn yet again. She had to remind herself that this wasn’t goodbye. It didn’t help that she still felt she was betraying her parents by leaving again so suddenly. She knew it was silly to think so but she didn’t want them to feel she was abandoning them. Thankfully they seemed to sense her distress and both smiled despite feeling sad to see their daughter go. 

They both nuzzled her, and held her tightly in their arms. Chardonnay giggled and tried to smile through the tears. Merlot also smiled kissing his daughter on the forehead and pressed his nose against the base of Tempest Shadow’s horn accidently tickling her in the process. She giggled at the ticklish sensation and nuzzled both of them back. All the while Celaneo made herself scarce and slipped out of the room with all the supplies and prepared to leave once they were done. 

After what felt like thirty minutes they three ponies managed to tear themselves away from each other after not wanting to let go. BUt they did and it was very hard for all involved but the promise of meeting again gave them strength to let go once more. Tempest smiled at her parents walking into the next room where Celaeno was waiting with a large backpack and a set of saddlebags for Tempest. 

“Ready to go?” She asked Celaneo who helped put the saddlebags on her.

“Yeah. Ready and willing. How far are we going exactly?” Celaeno asked.

“About three maybe five days travel East. We could take a train part way, that’ll cover most of the trip. Then we’d be in Ponyville in about two days time,” Tempest said pulling a strap tightening it around her waist. 

Celaeno tugged at the saddlebags making sure they were well secured before standing up. She then gave a playful swat to Tempest’s side making the mare gasp. Tempest glared up at Celaeno who whistles innocently while Chardonnay and Merlot said their final goodbyes as they walked them to the door.

“So, you two WILL come back during holidays right?” Merlot asked the two soon to be travelers. 

Tempest groaned and turned to face her father trying to put on a smile. “Yes dad, I’ll be back for the holidays.” 

To her surprise both her father and mother laughed at that making her look back in bewilderment. She didn’t get what they found so funny, and it was quite jarring for her. Her father wiped a tear away with his hoof and then proceeded to clarify his meaning. 

“I meant BOTH of you, kiddo. We want both of you to come back,” He said.

Chardonnay nodded in agreement taking hold of her husbands front leg with hers. “Yes, we would be honored if you’d come back too Celaneo. Just keep my baby out of trouble is all i ask.”

“Mom,” Tempest groaned looking away from embarrassment.

Celaeno for her part gave a wide smile and a thumbs up gesture while ruffled Tempest’s mane. A quick shake of her hand made Celaeno’s hand reel back as Tempest stormed out of the house.

“I make no promises, but I'll look out for her,” Celaeno said bowing to the parents once more. “Farewell and I hope we meet again soon. You’ve both been very kind to me. Thank you for accepting me.”

“It was our pleasure,” Chardonnay said bowing back. 

“Have a safe trip you two! Write to us once in a while!” Merlot called as Celaeno turned to catch up to Tempest. 

The two waved goodbye once more and Tempest took a moment to take in the sights around her before continuing on. She looked at her families garden and farm as they walked and took in the smell of the fresh air around her. It was very calming to breath such fresh air compared to the smoggy air she was use to in the Badlands and it was a compounded by the fact she had made so many wonderful  memories here since her return. Truly she had a place in this world, weather on the farm with family, as a guard for Princess Twilight, or on an epic adventure with Celaeno, she knew she’d have a place to call home. With friends and loved ones all around nothing was going to hold her back from finding her destiny. 

They walked through town taking the scenic route through the vineyard. Their walked went uninterrupted since most of the towns ponies were turned in for the night. The moonlight once again painted a beautiful sheen of light over every surface from the building the the hills of grass. The cool air and starry sky made it an artistic masterpiece that both Tempest and Celaeno could take in and appreciate. 

Overall it was a lovely town and Tempest couldn’t figure why she left it in the first place. She shook her head low wondering how dumb she was as a filly, mentally scolding herself for running away from home when clearly she was missed. Celaeno noticed the mare suddenly slowed down her pace and slowed her walking to stay side by side with Tempest. She realized Tempest had a sad look on her face and leaned down to get eye level with Tempest. 

“Hey there, what’s going on down there? Why you look so sad? Miss your parents already?” She asked patting Tempest on the back gently.

“No, I just realized how foolish I was as a filly running away from home. I should have stayed,” Tempest said solemnly.

To the mares surprise Celaeno took a big leap forward and landed right in front of her prath. This forced Tempest to stop walking and backpedal one step to prevent herself from falling over. Celaeno leaned down and reached with one claw to boop Tempest in the nose making her go cross eyed. The maree shook her head and swatted the claw away with a surprised yelp. 

“Hey! What’s your deal?!”

“Feeling better?” Celaeno asked with a grin.

Tempest stared up at Celaneo for a moment before she managed to shake off her shock. She smiled and jumped up trying to wrap her arms around Celaeno, but the taller female managed to leap to the side leaving Tempest’s surprise hug unsuccessful. The two playfully chased one another through the town. Celano ran and lepated over a short stone wall, her shadow dancing at her feet over every surface it moved over thanks to the moonlight above. Tempest followed close leaping over the same wall with little effort and snorted at Celaeno.

“Is that your best diversion you could muster? Surely you can do better!” She called from behind. 

Celaeno looked behind her and got a cheeky grin. She then turned down an alleyway saying for Tempest to try and catch her. As Tempest turned into the dark alley she caught a glimpse of Celaeno wall jumping to the roof. She watched Celaneo jump off the surface of the wall back towards the roof of the building right next to it. She reached out with a clawed hand and grabbed the ledge of the roof and pulled herself up with one swift motion. Tempest smirked feeling a rush  chasing after someone so elusive. 

She mimicked Celeano’s motions leaping from wall to wall before vaulting herself onto the roof. When she managed to get to the top, Celaneo was on the corner edge of the roof overlooking the town square slowly clapping her claws together. Tempest stared at her in awe, she looked amazing in the moonlight.

There she was standing on the edge with her taloned feet close together posed perfectly upright with her claws clapping. Her body highlighted by the moon behind her was like a poster shot for a ninja movie, it made her look menacing and yet beautiful at the sametime. Behind her the view of the town square and the surrounding mountains painted a perfect picture to compliment Celaeno and it set Tempest’s heart aflutter. Celaeno slowly walked over towards the stunned mare making sure to sway her hips as she did. Tempest starved at her curvy figure as she approached.

“Enjoying the view?” Celaeno asked playfully, caressing Tempest’s cheek.

Tempest couldn’t get a word out so she just huffed and nodded. She tried to pry her eyes away but Celeanon held her in place and sat beside her. She then pulled the mare into a hug, setting Tempest between her legs. Tempest relented allowing herself to be held despite feeling quite embarrassed by her position. 

Celaeno giggled as she ran her fingers through Tempest’s shorter mane and scratching behind her ears. She then leaned and started to nip at the mare’s right ear, this sudden action caused Tempest to  gasp and fall to escape. With a wild leap she was free from Celaenos grasp with furious red blush on her cheeks as she glared back at her lover.

“You realized I’m gonna cook your butt someday for this right?” Tempest threatened.

Celaeno laughed almost losing balance on the sloped roof in the process. She quickly caught herself before losing her footing as she rolled on her side and stood up wiping her bottom.

“Yeah, but it means I’ll see you in the bedroom eventually and I’m more than happy for that,” She hinted suggestively.

Tempest sighed and leaped off the roof with Celeano following. 

“Yeah, but for now let’s get to the first rest stop. I want to sleep in a safe place before it get too late,” Tempest said.

“Then why not stay until morning?” Celaeno asked. 

Tempest didn’t respond as she just spun around and quickly stood on her hind legs to lean up and press her lips against Celaeno’s beak, kissing her. Celaeno responded by grabbing the mare and lifting her up, pressing back into the passionate kiss. After they held for a few moments, Cleaneo pulled Tempest away to hold the mare at eye level with her. She smiled and Tempest curled her lip and nuzzled her before being put back on the ground. In that moment, Celaneo knew the mare’s intentions. This was her way of having a romantic stroll under the moonlight without having to actually say it.

She felt oddly proud of this roundabout way for Tempest to ask her on a date. The two continued to walk through the town under the moonlight towards their next destination, this time without any playing. They walked off into the distance, their shadows lingering behind them as they crossed over a large grass hill that overlooks the town. Tempest took one last glance over her hometown, feeling a sense of relief that it would be there when she returned and that she would be welcomed with open arms. With Celaneo at her side there was nothing in this world she would want more than that. 

“Come on, we have a long journey ahead of us,” Tempest said turning to leave.

“Yes, and one we will journey together,” Celaeno said following beside her mare under the protection of the moons guiding light. 

Adventure awaited them and they and they knew this was the start of an amazing life for the both of them. They knew it wouldn’t be perfect, life often throws hardship at you when you least expect it. But they knew life was worth facing all its trials, and is made all the more bearable when you have someone faithful by your side to help you when you need it most. They had each other and that was good enough for them.