//------------------------------//
// A Letter from Commander Tempest 
// Story: Letters to Cozy Glow 
// by Fluttercheer 
//------------------------------//

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Dear Cozy Glow,



this is Tempest Shadow, first-in-command of Your Highness, the mighty and fearsome Storm King.


Immediately as Cozy had finished reading this first sentence of her newest letter, a serious and solemn expression appeared on her face. She lowered the letter slightly and lifted her left hoof at her head for a salute. Cozy remained in this pose for a few seconds, then she directed her attention back at the letter. “I feel honored to receive a letter from you, Commander Tempest!” Her face was full of honest admiration.


I have heard all about your achievements and I know that we have many things in common. I am just like you, Cozy Glow, I have also sought cooperation with a powerful ally to achieve my goals. The Storm King is a warlord who controls one of Equus' most terrifying and merciless armies. And I am the one who directly commands this army.


Despite the fact that Cozy Glow already knew Tempest Shadow and could tell what the former Storm King commander was going to say next, thanks to a very intense lesson at Princess Twilight's school about the possible consequences of abandoning a friend in a time of need, of which Cozy absorbed only the most important parts, the filly stayed silent and followed the letter with unbridled attention. She did not even realize that the commander nowhere implied how she was not serving the Storm King anymore.


Under my command, the Storm Army conquered kingdoms, made their rulers bow and shiver in front of my master and obtained supreme power for him by heisting the most powerful, magical artifacts their kingdoms possessed. We have burnt down houses and entire towns if we found resistance. No one could stand in the way of the army I commanded.


Cozy Glow whistled. The broad smile indicated that she couldn't get enough of hearing the exploits of her idol.


Of course I was not doing this for him. I had my very own plans. The Storm King was merely a puppet I used for my benefits.


A broad smile formed on Cozy's face. She had to stop reading for a moment, to wipe a single tear out of her left eye.


My goal was to heal my broken horn and to get the magical power back that I could wield once, a long time ago. His power was supposed to serve me, to reclaim old friendships I have lost when I was even younger than you are now. It would have been so easy to use the power of my horn against him, if he hadn't betrayed me.


Cozy flapped her ears back and her admiring smile turned into an expression of empathy and compassion.


The game of power is a very dangerous game to play, Cozy Glow. You should always know who you can really trust and who is your enemy.


Cozy Glow squealed and pressed the letter against her chest, tightly. “Oh, this is so wonderful to get a lesson from you, Commander Tempest! I wish you could be my teacher, instead of that friendship princess!” Her cheeks were glowing in a bright pink.


You are like me, Cozy Glow. You just have a few more things to learn. You are going to hear from me again.



Commander Tempest Shadow




Having finished the letter, Cozy Glow was frozen in reverence for a few minutes. Only slowly, she managed to move again. Her body shivered and her hooves shook as she folded the letter and put it back into its envelope with diligence.
“You get a special place! As special as a place can be in this cage!” She placed the envelope in the farthest corner, where she was sure she could not accidentally tarnish or damage it while being asleep.
After this, Cozy Glow called for Cerberus' attention. She made her demand clear and a few minutes later, she was sitting on her haunches in the middle of the cage, an empty sheet of paper in her lap and a quill in her hooves.
“Your letter really deserves a response, Commander! I hope we can be great pen pals!” Cozy put the quill down and started to write, her face filled with satisfaction and eager anticipation.
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