//------------------------------// // Infiltrating the Castle // Story: CMC Going Away // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// Tempest enters the Castle of Friendship. She made sure no one is watching her. After seeing Spike hanging out with Big Mac earlier, now is the perfect to scout the castle. Tempest has her camera. She plans on documenting locations of the castle worthy enough to hide and ambush Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Tempest enters the throne room. She takes pictures of the throne and the map of Equestria at several different angles. "How interesting, they have the whole map of Equestria. Good thing they don't have the Storm King's Kingdom on the map." Tempest continues to look around the throne room. She finds several hiding positions that'll suit her soldiers. She takes pictures of them and leaves the throne room. "That throne room has many interesting areas to ambush. If Twilight is a book fanatic, as they say, she'll be helping us even more." Tempest walks down the corridors. She opens the door to the library. She takes different pictures of the library then, she leaves. Throughout the hour, Tempest opened many doors. She found other libraries, guest rooms, closets with windows, activity rooms, the balcony, the platform on the roof, and Twilight's bedroom. Tempest has taken a lot of pictures of secret entrances, hiding areas, rooms with windows to enter stealthfully. Tempest feels that there are areas to booby trap the Princess of Friendship and her friends without their knowledge. "Note to self, booby trap areas they won't think of." Tempest uses her magic to camouflage herself to the pillars of the castle after hearing Spike and Big Mac coming in with hoofball equipment. Tempest smirks. She uses her magic manipulate their minds. Big Mac and Spike fall to their knees. They feel dark magic coursing through them. Within a few moments, Big Mac and Spike turn and bow in front of Tempest. Their eyes are red-green. "Mindless drones. Do as I say. Observe the Princess of Friendship and friends. Keep in contact with everything they do." "Yes, mistress," Spike and Big Mac said. "Report to me at Rich's mansion of any useful info. Do not tell anypony else." "Understood," Spike and Big Mac answer. "Carry on with your day," Tempest commands. She leaves the castle. Big Mac and Spike shake their heads. They forgot what just happened and carry on with their plans. Spike is trying to get the rookie hoofball collector's card from Big Mac. Tempest trots back to the mansion to inform Fire Flier and Diamond Tiara. Half an hour later, Tempest enters Rich's mansion. She smells freshly made foods coming from the dining room. She gallops to the dining room, finding out that Fire Flier and Diamond Tiara are about to have dinner. "Hey, Tempest. Just in time for dinner. You hungry?" Fire asks. "Not at the moment. I'm here to clarify a few things. One, I have layered out the entire castle. We now have ways of ambushing Princess Twilight and her friends. Second, I manage to brainwash a baby dragon and a stallion. They'll be our eyes and ears on everything Princess Twilight and her friends, does. Third, we have the element of surprise. No pony has suspected anything during our time here." "Excellent, Tempest. Thanks for informing us." "You're welcome, Fire Flier," Tempest sees a well-cooked fish for Fire Flier. Using her magic, she takes the fish away from Fire Flier. "Hey! I was waiting to eat that!" Fire Flier shouts. Diamond Tiara laugh at Fire's misery. Now he has to wait for another well-cooked fish. Diamond Tiara eats her haystack fries. Fire Flier groans as his stomach growls loudly. Tempest is eating the fish in a different room. She starts to have a headache. After an hour after her meal, the Storm King calls. Tempest answers. "Good evening, your highness," Tempest greets, bowing down to the Storm King. "Tempest, have you infiltrated Twilight's Castle?" The Storm King raises his eyebrow. "Yes, your highness. I scoped around and found intriguing evidence. There are locations in the castle that are perfect to booby trap and ambush the Princess and her friends." The Storm King smirks. "Excellent, Tempest! According to my sources, we may get the chance to invade Equestria earlier than expected." "Why is that, Storm King?" Tempest calmly questions. "The Princess and her friends lost their special talents. Rumor has it that they may try to retrieve it. There is a town near this Manehattan of theirs. Go investigate. If they are unable to get their special talents back, we will invade Equestria sooner." "Understood, Storm King. I shall venture to this town and review. If the Princess and friends are able to get their marks, I shall report to you. That way, you don't waste any of your resources. Also, you'll be able to redraw your plans of conquest, my King." "Sounds good, Tempest. I wish you luck." "Thank you for your time, Storm King," Tempest salutes and hangs up the call. "Twilight Sparkle and her friends losing their cutie marks. Things are becoming too easy, augh!" Tempest's headache is getting a bit stronger but, she ignores it. Storm King calls Grubber and he reports everything he sees so far. Discord can ruin everything unless he's taken out of the picture. "Discord. Lord of Chaos. I shall end you with my supreme power!" The Storm King laughs manically as his generals continue to plan for the invasion of Equestria.