With the news that Instant Justice and his band of mercenaries were hiding in the Everfree Forest, the Princesses, their foot soldiers and other personnel raced as fast as they could to finally confront the traitors once and for all.
As they raced towards the Everfree Forest, Tempest Shadow began to feel a rage building up inside of her, a rage that she hadn't felt since her time with the Storm King. Rage directed towards a pony that was willing to kill defenseless creatures, just because they’d briefly taken up arms under the command of someone using them for his own goals. What did he hope to accomplish by doing all of this?
About an hour later, the group reached the Everfree Forest, screeching to a halt at the entrance. Spitfire and the rest of the Wonderbolts were already at the ready, some armed with spears that had been loaned to them. The mother and son storm creature they had found were led out of the forest and to safety.
"They're definitely hiding in there, Princess Celestia," Spitfire reported to the princess, brandishing a small dagger in her right hoof. "We think they’re holding the male Storm Creature hostage in there."
"As long as they are contained in the Everfree Forest," Celestia sighed. "We should have the advantage. Have you been negotiating with them, Spitfire?"
"We haven't spoken to them because we wanted to wait until you got here," Spitfire shook her head. "They are much too dangerous for us to handle. All we could do was keep tabs on them."
"It's not you they want," Luna declared, looking over to Tempest. "They want you, Fizzlepop. That’s the only reason that Storm Creature isn’t dead."
"I know they do,” Tempest sighed. But I’m not going to just turn myself over to the first pony who asks. Your minister’s about to see how mean I can really get. If he wants me so badly, let him try and take me." The sounds of Tempest's voice sent a chill down the spines of the Royal Sisters, they knew she was more than likely going to fight to the death.
Nevertheless, the three alicorns followed Tempest to the edge of the forest. Hopefully, if fighting broke out, they’d be able to protect her and restrain her.
"INSTANT JUSTICE!" Celestia shouted in her royal Canterlot voice. "YOU ARE COMPLETELY OUTMATCHED AND SURROUNDED! SURRENDER IMMEDIATELY!" Celestia impatiently waited for a response, but got nothing.
"TURN THE HOSTAGE OVER TO US NOW AND WE WON'T DO YOU ANY HARM!" Luna added in her royal Canterlot voice. "YOU ARE ONLY MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT ON YOURSELF IF YOU REFUSE!"
Yet there was still nothing but silence coming from the forest.
"INSTANT JUSTICE, THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!" Celestia yelled. "COME OUT AND SURRENDER, OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!"
But only silence greeted the army’s ears.
With no response, Tempest and the three alicorns realized there was no other option. They had to go inside and face Instant Justice head on. "Wait here until we say otherwise." Celestia ordered to the Wonderbolts, much to their shock.
"But Princess Celestia!" Rainbow Dash pleaded. "They're dangerous! You will need support! Let us fight with you!"
"No, Rainbow Dash," Celestia retorted. "Unlike the Royal Guard, the Wonderbolts are not equipped for intense military operations such as this. We cannot risk anymore casualties. But if we need you, we'll call you. For now, guard the entrance and make sure any who try to flee are apprehended."
"Princesses…be careful in there. Come back alive." Rainbow warned. Then with a final hug from Twilight, Rainbow Dash and the rest of the reserves, watched as Tempest and the leaders walked into the forest, their horns lightly illuminating.
Carefully stepping into the forest, the princesses remained on their guard as they neared the spot where Instant Justice and the mercenaries were said to be hiding.
"Remember, he wants me and me alone," Tempest whispered. "So long as we can lure the Storm Creature and the mercenaries away from him..."
"Out of the question, Tempest," Twilight interrupted. "We want to end this without anypony being taken hostage, or even killed. Instant Justice needs to be taken alive, he must stand trial!"
"And I think you have suffered enough because of me," Tempest retorted in a hushed voice. "This is the least I can do after all you have done for me. One way or another, this ends here."
Several minutes later, all heard what appeared to be the sounds of low growling, then came the sounds of hitting, followed by pained roars.
"Over here!" Luna called, motioning for the others to join her at the source of the sounds: a run down log cabin in the middle of the forest.
"Why would there be a cabin in the middle of the Everfree Forest?" Twilight wondered. “Even Zecora at least has a hut to protect her.”
"I don't know why anyone would dwell in such an obvious location, Twilight," Celestia replied. "But all that matters is ending this reign of terror. Remember, we’re to end this as quickly and peacefully as possible."
Suddenly, the roars stopped and the door to the cabin opened! Stepping out of the cabin was Instant Justice himself, the look on his face showing that he had absolutely no fear. "I was wondering when you would be showing up, your highnesses," He remarked, a scowl of anger deep in his face. "And I see you've brought Equestria's most wanted with you. Hand her over to me and I will release the Storm Creature we are keeping prisoner."
"No, Instant Justice,” Celestia shook her head. “You have committed crimes that have warranted a charge of treason against you!" Her horn began to ominously glow with rage. "Surrender yourself now, and you will more than likely receive a fair trial in Canterlot! Which is more than you deserve!"
"A fair trial?!" Instant scoffed. "Likely story! You’d have me executed the moment everypony was done celebrating my capture. Don't you see that the response to an attack on your subjects, your kingdom, your COUNTRY was just like all the others?!” He grit his teeth and declared. “You have no backbone, Princess Celestia! And neither do you, Princess Luna! None of you princesses have the guts to do what must be done! I do! The time has come for me to show you how all dangerous enemies of Equestria are to be dealt with! If you label me a traitor because of that, it only proves my point."
Despite knowing that he clearly intended to kill her, Tempest boldly stepped forward and faced her accuser with a solemn glance on her face.
"Tempest, wait!" Twilight cried. "Think about what you’re doing!"
But, Tempest refused to listen and prepared to accept any fate that was coming her way. She intended to put up a fight, but only if she could guarantee the Storm Creature’s release. "You want me so badly, Instant Justice?" She asked with no fear in her voice. "All this so you can kill me in revenge? Well, get on with it and let the Storm Creature go free. I was the one giving him the commands, as a lowly soldier it was never his place to question my authority. Surely, you know that."
"Fizzlepop!" Celestia cried, only for Tempest to turn around and hold a hoof to silence her.
"Before I kill you, Tempest Shadow," Instant Justice replied. "I want you to know that my wife and son aren't here to say how evil you really are. In your tiny mind, you thought that because you didn't have a horn, my wife and son shouldn't have life! Well guess what?! They weren't the only ones targeted, Tempest Shadow! You caged, chained, shackled and enslaved ponies who had only the charge of being who they are! And now, you're about to feel the cold hoof of revenge! The revenge of not just a sad and angry husband and father, but a sad and angry citizen of Equestria! And only once you’re dead will I release my prisoner. Resist me, and the Storm Creature will join you in Tartarus!"
Tempest watched as Instant Justice powered his horn in a green aura and aimed it right at Tempest's heart. She closed her eyes and prepared herself for the end, there was nothing she could do. And if the princesses intervened to save her, the Storm Creature they’d worked so hard to save would die in her place.
But little did Instant Justice realize that his plan of killing Tempest would ultimately backfire, and a fierce battle in the Everfree Forest was about to begin.