The temperature had dropped and the chilliness had begun to nip at the travelers' skin. It didn't help that they were walking at a higher altitude.
As they took the last steps up the hill, the sight of the circular snowflake shaped Crystal Empire came to view. The tall spire and all.
"Wow, it's even more... grand than I imagined," Trixie noted.
"And it's all downhill from here," Starlight said. "Literally."
The excitement bubbled in Discord as he chuckled. "And metaphorically."
Wind brushed along Tempest's mohawk as she took in the sight before her, her visage still cold.
"Oooh," Trixie squeed, "I wonder if they'll like my magic. Who am I kidding of course they will. Trixie's well known for a reason."
"I'm fairly certain your infamy hasn't reached here. Unlike the rest of us," Discord said with a smirk
Tempest pondered if she would indeed get recognized. She figured it likely considering what she did to their princess.
"I guarantee if I asked one of the ponies here about my name they'd recognize me."
"You know, for some inexplicable reason I find that hard to believe."
"Just watch."
"Hello! I presume you are aware of the great and powerful Trixie's magic show?"
The crystal pony standing in front of the magician averted their eyes.
"Surely you've heard of me?"
"Uh, no?"
Trixie could hear Discords chuckle in her mind and feel his demeaning grin.
"Well, how about you find out? I'll be performing at, uh-"
"At the fairgrounds?"
"Yes! At the fairgrounds! Tell everypony you know to be there by seven P.M. tomorrow."
"Starlight!"
"Sunburst?"
Everyone except for Trixie looked in the direction of the voice. Trotting toward them was a gamboge unicorn stallion. He had a vermillion and orange-red mane and beard that pulling a comb successfully through would be a feat. He wore a dark blue wizard coat with various stars strewn about and spectacles on his muzzle aiding his cyan eyes.
Tempest couldn't help but be slightly intrigued.
"My goodness it's great to see you!"
She noted his voice was on the more frail side, and from what she'd seen her judgment of him had already been cast.
As Sunburst was trotting over, his expression seemed to diminish.
"Uh, is everything alright?"
"Yep. Just peachy."
"Life is indeed peachy," Discord said.
Sunburst looked up at Discord, adjusting his glasses. "Uh, hi, Discord. It's good to see you," he said, his tone displaying uncertainty.
"Is it?" He asked, leaning forward. "You seem uncertain of my presence," he said, his voice low and menacing.
Sunburst gave a forced chuckle.
Discord quickly straightened himself, his tone more jovial, "I see you've been maintaining your beard."
"I see you have been too," he replied, his tone still flimsy.
"Oh, how nice of you to notice," he replied in jest.
Sunburst's eyes wandered over to the maroon mare who was taking in her surroundings, her gaze disciplined. His eyes were especially drawn to her face and forehead but the mare's eyes met his. The cyan eyes pierced through him, and he saw a glimpse of veiled ruthlessness, and in that moment his eyes quickly shot away, his piqued curiosity subdued. "So what brings you all here?"
There was a pause for a few moments from nobody seeming to take initiative.
"Tempest has an errand to run for Twilight," Discord informed.
"An errand?"
"Yes, like hanging dirty laundry."
"Well, it's some errand if you're around."
"I'm indeed a vital part of it," Discord said, placing his talons over his chest.
"It'd be great if he helped with the errand of saving Equestria when it mattered," Trixie said, walking over.
"I have saved Equestria. I got a necklace to prove it," he said, reaching into the air for a small starry flash to reveal a necklace hanging from his talons with a purple heart and golden wings swaying below. "Remember?" He asked, his voice dripping with a sneer.
"So how long are you guys going to be here?"
"A day or two?" Starlight offered.
"Well, if that's the case I can ask Cadance to give you guys guest rooms at the castle."
"I think we'll be okay at a hotel," Starlight declined.
"Are you sure? I'm positive Cadance wouldn't mind seeing you guys. Plus the room's are extraordinarily comfortable."
"We're okay."
Sunburst turned to Trixie, noticing her looking around. "Is this your first time here, Trixie?"
"Yep."
"Is it yours too?"
Tempest simply nodded.
"I can give you both a quick tour if you'd like."
"I guess I'll come along," Starlight sighed.
"I would say I have nothing better to do but I do. But I'll go because I have to," Discord said.
"Great! Well, uh, follow me!"
While at a steady gait, Tempest surveyed the city further, paying little attention to the others. Looking at the various crystal ponies which looked no different than others except the telltale glint in the eyes. She surveyed the crystalline architecture and the semi transparent surfaces which came with a gleam. The city evoked a feeling of purity.
Discord shivered.
"What?" Starlight inquired.
"Oh, it's nothing," he dismissed, swiping his paw through the air.
"It better not be some secret that will put us in danger," Starlight warned.
"It's not, it's simply the fact I can feel the harmonious, lovey dovey, putrid positivity energy all around me. That and the Crystal Heart sure seems to not like my existence here."
"Doesn't surprise me," Starlight replied.
"How do you know?" Sunburst inquired.
"It's complicated. But the best way I can explain it is imagine petting a furred animal against the natural direction their fur goes. Interlaced with a bunch more deep esoteric things."
Starlight was still a little perplexed but had a semblance of his analogy.
Sunburst was consumed with newfound interest. "Interesting. You should tell me more about this later."
"That might be fun," Discord said to himself, the prospect and possibilities of saying things that wouldn't bode well with Sunburst making him excited.
"Actually," Starlight started, "do you think you and I could hang out for a bit first, Sunburst?"
"Uh, sure."
Discord's face flattened in unamusement.
The five of them sauntered toward the center of the city, the center spire growing taller and more steep.
"So down the street over there is where a lot of restaurants tend to be. There's a few scattered around but there's a cluster over there. Oh!" He exclaimed in excitement. "Down there is the main library. You can get lost for hours in there."
The building he pointed to had a more flourishing facade and appeared more grand in nature. Almost regal.
Tempest wouldn't have been surprised if he lived there. But something caught her eye as she noticed in front of the library was what appeared to be a crystal statue. The figure looked like the small dragon she met at Twilight's castle. "Who's that?"
Sunburst turned his attention back at Tempest and followed her gaze. "Oh, that's, Spike. He had a statue built in his honor since he saved the Empire from King Sombra."
Almost astounded, Tempest pondered how in Equestria the little dragon could have accomplished such a feat.
"His ego must flare every time he's here," Discord noted.
"You could say that," Starlight replied.
They continued walking toward the center of the city when Tempest noticed a structure that looked like an enormous coliseum to which she wondered what it could be for. The morbid side of her offered gladiator type brawls. She doubted it.
"-and this straight ahead is the Crystal Heart."
Looking forward, her gaze traveled under the castle, noticing a sharp cyan crystal pillar sticking from the ground of a snowflake symbol as one also came from the high 'ceiling', and between them suspended in air was a crystal shaped heart.
Another thing that caught Tempest's eye was a single patrol walking around. The guards appeared to be hoplites. The aesthetic of the armor appeared opulent with decorative engravings, three amethyst jewels on the chest, a silver crest helmet, and a grey-blue fade color for the whole set.
The five of them continued forward until they were under the massive castle and near the ancient relic.
It occurred to Tempest that they were allowed to be so close to the magical artifact. But she considered she didn't know how powerful or vital the artifact truly was.
A feeling or energy seemed to be present in Tempest's chest. Almost like the smoothest hum or vibration. Though faint, it felt peculiarly pleasant and had an underlying strength.
She visibly stirred.
"Is the feeling stronger here?" Sunburst asked.
Discord turned away, grimacing with his forked snake tongue stuck out. "Ugh, yes, it's indeed more potent here but not by much. Why are we even here?"
"Well, to show Trixie and Tempest, and maybe to test out a little hypothesis."
Discord's expression was flat," First and foremost, I'm not your little guinea pig, if anything you're mine. Second, I'm not going to take responsibility for creating a cataclysmic event. And third, this is getting quite tiresome so it'd be fantastic if we could do something else."
"Right. So I guess I should show you where the best hotel is."
"Starlight!" A male voice called.
Sauntering toward them was a white unicorn stallion with a sapphire blue mane with cerulean and phthalo blue streaks. His figure was bulky but with hints of leannes in certain areas. He wore a piece of purple and gold body armor that was thinner at the curling of the chest but held a large shield insignia with a violet star at its center. It appeared familiar to Tempest but she didn't know why.
"Fancy seeing you here," he said before his face flattened when looking toward the draconequus. "Discord," he said blandly in acknowledgment.
He stopped in front of Trixie. "And you would be…?"
"You don't know who I am?" Trixie asked, putting a hoof to her chest for emphasis.
"Uh, no?" The stallion offered.
She sighed. "Trixie."
"Shining Armor," he replied with a smile and a hoof extended forward.
Trixie brought her own hoof forward and gave a shake.
He turned his attention to Tempest when his visage seemed to falter. "Tempest?"
Tempest found herself slightly surprised upon the recognition but figured he caught wind from Canterlot's military. She almost chuckled remembering how easy it was for her to take over Canterlot. She wondered what rank he assumed. "Yes?"
"So you're the pony who took over Canterlot."
"Yeah, that was me." She stared at his cerulean eyes. Beyond the window, she saw a test of will.
The air was serrated as seconds passed.
He smirked. "Shining Armor," he said, extending a hoof.
Tempest obliged with a shake.
"So what brings you out here?"
"I'm currently running an errand for Princess Twilight."
"You're running an errand for Twily?"
Tempest rose a quizzical brow.
Noticing, Shining Armor quickly replied. "She's my sister."
"You're her brother? What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Well, I'm a prince here, married to Princess Cadance - one of the Alicorns you captured."
Tempest's eyes widened a bit before she bowed her head toward the ground. "I truly am sorry. I hope you can find it within yourself to forgive me."
"Well, you set things right in the end and you're doing something for Twilight. I won't lie and say I'm not a little bit bitter but it's fine."
"Sir?"
Shining turned his attention to two crystal guard ponies.
"We came to report that we're missing three units that are supposed to be at the south path."
"I'll see what it's about but don't be alarmed if you're still down three units. I don't think anyone is going to be invading the Crystal Empire anytime soon."
"Yes, sir."
"Are you a captain of the guard?" Tempest inquired.
"Yeah. It's usually a pretty simple job until a threat hits."
"How long have you trained?"
"A couple years. Have you trained?"
"Not official training but yes."
"Wanna have a small duel sometime?"
Tempest's interest piqued. "Like a one on one fight?"
"I'm pretty sure that's what a duel is."
Excitement swelled inside Tempest, and she didn't know if she liked it. But she hadn't experienced combat in a long time. She didn't like to accentuate that side of her anymore. It reminded her of the terrible deeds she committed and who she was. But the desire to feel that thrill, adrenaline, to hone herself, and to see if her skill had fallen rose above it all.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I wouldn't mind having some old time fun. Gotta stay in shape to protect and serve."
"What if you get severely injured?"
Shining laughed. "I won't. Can't make the same promise for you though."
Tempest smiled.
"Well, I guess I can meet you down by the coliseum in an hour. Sound good?"
"See you there."
He nodded as he chuckled, beginning to walk away. He looked to the other four of the group who appeared to have stood by and watched the entire display. "See you guys around!" He waved.
"Wow. That was… interesting," Sunburst finished with a forced chuckle.
"I for one am ecstatic, " Discord replied.
"So where are the hotels?" Starlight asked.
"Oh! Right. Follow me," Sunburst replied, walking past the Crystal Heart.
The four followed after him for a short time before he stopped at a large building that appeared to be humbly grand. It had a small rhombus shaped statue on either side before the set of stairs leading up to the entrance which had a pillar on each side. The overall shape of the building was rectangular but didn't really have flat sides due to being made of an indigo colored crystal.
"This is it. Sapphire Suite," Sunburst said with finality.
He turned to face the others. "So any questions?"
"Yeah, you wouldn't happen to know where the fairgrounds are right?" Trixie asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
He adjusted his spectacles and looked up in thought. "Uh, I think it's not too far from here. I can show you if you want. Are you interested in the food? I honestly wouldn't mind going out to get something."
"Uh, yeah!" Trixie replied. "I did hear about the food. I kinda wanted to try some."
"I'd personally prefer it if we went to a restaurant but I'm not totally disinclined to have some fair food," Sunburst said. "But first you guys should probably book a room."
"Yes, indeed," Discord started. "And me and good old Sunlight here will have the utmost profound conversation about psionic abilities and effects on the corporeal realm and ethereal one and the essence within."
"My name is Sunburst."
Discord approached Tempest and extended his talons forward as if he was gesturing for her hoof.
Tempest didn't comply.
He rolled his eyes, placing a bag of bits into his talons, pinching it from the top strings that tied it closed, dangling it infront of her.
She lifted her hoof up to which he placed it onto her frog and gave it a pat.
"And ethereal realm?" Sunburst asked.
"Yes, of course where time is non-existent and reality can be warped at will."
"Wait wha-" Before he could finish he disappeared with a starry flash along with Discord.
"Where should I park my wagon?"
"I'm sure next to the hotel is fine," Starlight replied.
"Like in the ally way?"
"If you want."
"If anypony steals this wagon, Trixie will hunt them down and… hurt them."
"I don't think anyone will steal it. And even if someone does, somepony else is bound to see it."
"What about at night?"
Starlight sighed before her horn glowed turquoise. A breath of magic left her horn and went into the wagon giving it a turquoise aura before fading back to normal.
"What was that?"
"A spell."
Tempest began up the steps, remembering walking up stairs with three legs was a lot more difficult.
She went to push past the door but found herself unsuccessful. She bit down on the top of the bag pulling the door with her now free hoof. Tempest entered inside.
What greeted her was a main lobby with a soft purple marble looking floor with a sheen, various pillars inside the decorated walls, a high ceiling with a crystal chandelier that looked like a crystal explosion. The first thing that came to her mind was the not so pleasant scene if it fell onto an unsuspecting pony.
"Hello!"
She pushed the morbid daydream away.
Looking ahead, she noticed the pleasant and welcoming voice came from a light tan earth pony mare at the front desk wearing a sharp black tieless tuxedo.
Tempest continued forward, her hooves echoing across floor before she stopped at the front desk.
"How can I help you?"
"How much is a room with three beds?"
"A three bedroom? Let's see…" The mare looked down at the desk, her dark sapphire eyes scanning over the paper back and forth.
The sound of paper being lifted occurred a few times before she spoke. "Well, I'm trying to find an available room but I can't seem to find one. It seems the only thing we have is a one king sized bedroom," she offered, her smile brittle.
"Do you have a two bedroom?" Starlight asked.
"Unfortunately not, miss, most of them are taken and one floor is undergoing maintenance," she said, forcing a smile.
Tempest internally sighed, dropping the bag of bits onto the desk. "What's the room number?"
"Room thirty nine, let me just get the signing paper here and- miss?"
Tempest was beginning up the steps past the receptionist desk.
A quill was encapsulated in a turquoise aura, squiggling at the base of the paper before being placed back inside the ink cup.
"Key?" Starlight asked.
The receptionist mare reached down, sounding the jingle of keys before placing her hoof on the desk. She pushed her hoof forward revealing a golden key with a heart shape at the back and a sapphire tag with the engraving of thirty nine.
Starlight levitated the key in front herself, walking past the receptionist beginning up the stairs.
Trixie stood for second debating on what she should do. She decided to follow.
Tempest was beginning down the hall, getting minor flashbacks to the interior of Twilight's castle. It was similar but not as light and decorated. She passed various rooms until she found the next set of stairs, then the next, until finally, she arrived at room thirty nine.
She looked behind her and found Starlight and Trixie approaching from down the hall. Tempest held her hoof out. Starlight in response levitated the key ahead and dropped it on her hoof.
Opening the door, Tempest entered the hallway before the room.
A door to the bathroom was immediately to her left down the hallway. Inside the room was a single king size bed with a fancy embroidered blanket with two nightstands on either side. At the end of the room was a large doorway that led to a balcony.
"This is kind of… quaint?" Starlight said.
"Twilight word," Trixie noted.
Starlight rolled her eyes. "Can we stop with the Twilight words?"
"Well, you said it. And I've never heard you use a word like that."
Tempest placed her hoof on the bed. She glided her hoof across it, feeling it's almost silk texture.
Tempest tried to recall the last bed she slept in, finding the only one in recent months she could remember being a rickety one that groaned and squeaked from moving a muscle.
Her eyes travelled toward the doorway leading to the balcony to which she began toward.
On the balcony, she looked across the city, with its various crystal buildings and the tall enormous spire to her right, diagonal from her. She took note of a few crystal ponies walking around, along with a chimeric serpent dragon and a gamboge unicorn stallion.
Discord's eyes met hers. He stared for a few moments before raising his talons with his point finger and thumb pressed together. A starry flash appeared below her then next to her.
"Can you stop doing that! You're making my head hurt!" Sunburst exclaimed. "Where are we now?" Sunburst's eyes widened upon seeing Tempest. "Oh, we're where Tempest is. And I don't know where that is."
"We're in a hotel room," Starlight informed.
Sunburst looked at Starlight, passing the threshold to enter the room. His eyes fell on the bed, making him raise a brow. "One bed?"
"Yeah, it's quite the luxurious hotel that's going through maintenance on an entire floor."
"So where will you be staying?"
"Probably in Trixie's wagon."
"Well, I… offered if you wanted to go to the castle."
"You know, this bed is quite large; it could fit all three of you if you wanted," Discord noted.
There was a deafening silence.
Trixie trotted over to the bed, lifted the sheet up, and slid under the covers. "Wow. The bed is pretty nice," Trixie praised. "It's like... foamy."
Her tone returned to its usual haughtiness. "But I don't need it," she said, leaving the bed.
Sunburst was rubbing his foreleg and staring at the floor.
"Well, in the meantime," Starlight began, "you wanna catch something to eat with me, Sunburst?"
Sunburst looked up from his stupor, adjusting his spectacles giving a nervous smile. "Uh, sure."
"What about the fairgrounds?" Trixie asked.
"Oh, right. I can show you where that is real quick."
Tempest found herself feeling a quick inward pull before a burst of energy dispersed around her. Assessing her surroundings, she found herself outside the hotel with all the others along with her.
Sunburst simply sighed, making Discord grin.
"So head straight that way. And don't be afraid to ask around," Sunburst said, his voice dampened into monotone.
"Splendid," Discord began. "Oh! And don't forget, Tempest is having her intense duel soon," he said, using his hands to gesture down at her.
Tempest glared at him.
"Riiiight," Sunburst drawled. "Well, hopefully we can make it. I guess."
"See you guys around," Starlight said, turning and departing with Sunburst following suit.
"I suppose that's our cue to depart as well."
"Yeah, let me just get my wagon ready."
Discord snapped his fingers, teleporting Trixie into the harness ready to depart.
"I'll have you know, Trixie is a grown mare and doesn't need help putting on a harness," Trixie lectured, raising her head.
"I'm just trying to be helpful," Discord informed. "Now. Shall we be off?"
"Well, if you wanted to be helpful you could find the fair and teleport us there. That rhymed," Trixie noted in amusement.
"Your rhyming capabilities are weak compared to that of a certain Zebra I know," Discord informed blandly. "And no I'm not going to teleport us there."
"Fine," Trixie said, beginning forward.
Tempest watched as she passed, contemplating whether or not she should follow.
"I sense chaos within you," Discord grumbled next to her ear. "And it's been there since the start. Care to share the inner turmoil?"
Tempest's brows furrowed further. "No."
"Well, you can't keep it bottled forever. Maybe if you had friends to share it with."
Tempest contemplated his statement and came to the conclusion the only friend she had was Twilight. They were pretty close. Well, in her terms. But she still struggled to convey herself.
She didn't have any other friends. And she didn't desire it. She'd concluded she'd rather have a single good friend instead of a bunch of fake ones.
"If you think I'd share such information with you, you must be delusional."
"Ouch. That's the most I've heard from you and it's an insult. A false one at that. I'm more misguided if anything. But I wasn't referring to myself."
Tempest considered he may be referring to the other travelers. Or perhaps the magician.
Looking ahead, she saw the wagon was a decent distance away from them now.
She wasn't avid about sharing her personal feelings let alone with a pony like her. Most ponies could care less or would exploit the weakness later.
But Twilight hasn't
She heard the thought manifest from the back of her mind.
Exhaling through her nose, she began forward.
The fairgrounds were not very busy with the only ponies present being ones checking out the food or just passing through. But some couldn't help but stare at a certain group passing through.
Trixie waved while Discord simply smirked at them. Tempest attempted to ignore them.
"Do you see anything that would satiate your hunger?" Discord asked.
Trixie grimaced. "Ugh. Don't say it like that, weirdo."
"Do you see anything that would satisfy your appetite? Fancy your craving to eat a horse?"
"What the hay?! Can you stop?"
Discord chuckled.
Pushing the assaulting images out of her mind, Trixie continued looking at the various stands for food.
A lot of it ranged from fruits and vegetables with the occasional dessert treat. Most ponies seemed to be in the line for a veggie basket.
It looked appetizing to Trixie, but she was a pony of lower patience than most.
She gave an indignant grumble.
"Good things come to those who wait," Discord said. "Or at least that's how I think the saying goes. I wouldn't know," he shrugged casually.
Ignoring him, Trixie spotted a sufficient meal. Hayburgers.
"Hey, Discord can I borrow some more bits?"
"Borrow? And is that all I am? A favor pony?"
"I'll tell Twilight you were hindering our trip."
"Ignoring the childish threat, what makes you think she'll believe you over me?"
Trixie tilted her head with a raised brow and a smirk.
Discord sighed, snapping his fingers conjuring a small pouch of bits. He flicked the air, flinging the bits at Trixie who quickly alighted her horn, encapsulating it in her pink aura.
Tempest thought to ask where he was getting the bits from and if it was even legal but decided against it. She didn't want to argue logistics that went nowhere.
Unharnessed from her wagon, Trixie sauntered behind a pony, waiting in line. A few moments passed before she stepped forward, taking the ponies place.
"Hi miss. What can I get for you today?"
"A hayburger with extra ketchup," she said, placing the bits on the counter.
"Coming right up."
While waiting, Trixie examined her surroundings out of entertainment when her eyes fell upon Tempest, who was simply looking off into the distance.
"Your hayburger, miss."
"Hang on," Trixie advised. "Hey, Tempest!"
Tempest's ears flicked, before she looked her way.
It was still difficult for Trixie to maintain eye contact. "Do you want one?"
"No thanks."
Turning, Trixie took her burger and began back toward the wagon. She was about to take a bite when a thought occurred. "Oh! And don't forget to come and see Trixie's magic show. Seven P.M. tomorrow," she specified.
"Uh, I'll see if I can make it," he responded, giving a forced smile.
Satisfied, Trixie took a bite of her burger and proceeded to her wagon.
"Do you know where you're going to be performing?" Discord asked.
"Here," Trixie said simply, her mouth still full of hayburger.
"Where?"
Trixie swallowed. "Here," she affirmed again.
Discord rolled his eyes. "Where here?"
"I don't know yet."
"Well, how about you find a spot while you're shoving that burger in your muzzle?"
"Hey. It's my show. I decide when I want to look for a spot."
"Tempest doesn't have all day here. She has a duel soon. And a quest to complete."
"Fine," Trixie relented.
Tempest thought about her quest and where she needed to go. She'd have to ask one of the mares for the map showing the designated location of interest.
Around a dozen stares or glances later Trixie wandered upon an open space of grass. She tried visualizing a scene of her show on it.
"What do you enjoy about being a magician?"
Almost startled by the voice, Trixie turns her head seeing Tempest standing next to her, gazing at the spot she was observing.
Trixie found herself caught off guard at such an introspective question but she quickly found her stride.
"Well, I won't lie, at first it was to try and be impressive. It still is," she mumbled. "But over time, I realized it wasn't exactly a healthy drive. And upon more thinking, I realized what I liked most about magic was the spectacle, the awe inducingness, and the subversion of expectations."
Tempest thought about her statements, relating to them to a certain extent. But she found her mind traveling to one of her own magical abilities few knew of, but some would consider a spectacle.
"Now I haff to shomehow find a proper shtage," she noted, her mouth full of hayburger.
"You have the bits for that?" Tempest asked.
"Not a lot. I have enough to go show to show. Sometimes extra."
Tempest pondered who she would even ask for a stage. But as she thought about it, a thought appeared that took priority.
"Princess Twilight mentioned she gave you a map with the designated search area," Tempest alluded.
"Starlight put it in my wagon somewhere," she said, taking another bite of her hayburger.
"Can you look for it?"
"I could but I'm not the only one with legs."
Tempest rolled her eyes. Turning tail, she began toward the back of the wagon. At the back of the wagon, she pulled out the stairs, walking up them before pushing the door open.
The first thing that struck Tempest was the mess of items scattered around, from props sitting on the ground, to multiple cardboard boxes full of items, to pots and pans dangling from the ceiling. She noticed the two hammocks at the back, realizing they must have been the 'beds'. She wondered how uncomfortable or claustrophobic they felt.
After her surveying of the inside of the wagon, it occurred to her that it might be next to impossible to find the map. She thought about digging through the organized chaos but she didn't want to snoop.
"Did you find it?" Trixie asked, sounding closer.
Tempest looked next to her and saw Trixie standing by the steps. She walked forward in an attempt to search for it.
There was an audible sound of a magical repulse or bounce.
Tempest gasped as she felt her body repelled or flung back. Before she knew it she hit the ground landing on her haunches before falling to her side. She quickly pushed a hoof into the ground to get up.
"Whoa! Are you alright?"
Tempest didn't respond as she got to her hooves.
"So I guess that's what Starlight's spell did. When did she even learn that?"
Tempest's brows were furrowed in irritation.
Discord was floating outside the door when he pushed his talons through the threshold. His claws stopped as he began pushing on a turquoise fabric like force that glowed around where he was pushing. "You know, I wonder how many situations a spell such as this could've been used. I'll have to ask Starlight about the precursor and the limitations."
"Since when did you care?" Trixie asked.
"Honestly, I don't."
"I need that map," Tempest said.
"Right. I guess I'll find out now," Discord snapped his fingers.
Tempest felt a quick inward pull once more before it dispersed.
The first thing Tempest noticed was the sound of chatter as an ambiance that came to a slow stop. Examining her surroundings she found she was inside a restaurant that was on the smaller side and everyone around was staring.
"Why are you guys here?" The voice Tempest recognized as Starlight asked.
In front of her Sunburst and Starlight were sitting at a small table opposite of each other. Starlight appeared not too pleased and Sunburst looked indifferent.
The commotion in the restaurant resumed but on a lower level.
"Well, Tempest here wanted to acquire the map for her quest and unfortunately it's magically sealed inside Great and Powerful's wagon," Discord informed.
"Couldn't you get inside?" Starlight asked.
"Well, I could have, but I sort of wanted to know how the spell worked."
Starlight laid her forehead on her hoof and sighed.
"It's a spell that prevents creatures from getting inside a space."
"Is it stagnant power and time based?" Sunburst asked.
"No, it's a hybrid. It's magical energy based and time based. So if a pony tried long enough the spell would eventually fade. Also the bigger the area the more energy is needed to cast it."
"Hm, thought I remembered reading that spell somewhere. I wonder if you could modify it and imbue it to a lock," Sunburst thought aloud.
"Then they'd destroy the lock," Starlight deadpanned.
Sunburst gave a sheepish smile and chuckle. "True."
"So what I've gathered is you can't retract the spell?" Discord asked, a grin forming.
"Yep. But you're Discord so you could probably get inside."
Discord crossed his arm under his chest, gesturing to himself. "While I appreciate the flattery, I'm also incapable of entering."
Starlight raised a brow, studying him.
There was a pause before Sunburst spoke. "I could try and find a spell to subvert it or find a work around. It'd probably take me an hour or so though. Worst case scenario I'd have to make one. How long does the spell last?"
"About five hours."
"Wait, you could teleport us here but not to the fairgrounds?" Trixie realized, her annoyance rising.
Discord snapped his fingers, causing Trixie, Tempest, and himself to be sitting around the rather small table.
"Is the food any good here?" Discord asked no one in particular while looking around the room.
Sunburst poked at his salad with his fork as if he was not paying attention. Starlight continued to glare at him.
Discord noticed her glare. "Is it really that bad? Sorry I asked," he said, looking around the room again. "Excuse me. Miss?"
A waitress's ponies' ears flicked before she looked in his direction. Her fuchsia eyes widened slightly. She trotted over. "Yes? How can I help you?" She said, her smile slightly forced.
"Do you happen to have any menus on hoof?"
"Oh, yes," she reached inside the black bag at her side and pulled out a few menus with black edges.
She placed a menu in front Discord, Trixie, then Tempest.
Tempest simply gazed at the menu.
"Let me know when you're ready," the waitress said before walking away.
The ambiance of the restaurant filled the silence between them for many seconds. Until Discord spoke.
"My, this menu is lacking. Peculiar considering the commotion and location. I suppose this must be a lower end establishment."
"I've seen lower end. This is not lower end," Trixie replied.
"What's the lowest you've been too?" Sunburst asked.
"I don't remember the name but it was a restaurant in the south. Place was awful. The seats felt bad and the place looked like it was cleaned once a month."
"I assume the food wasn't good?"
"Trixie tends to think she has a high standard when it comes to food- like fairfood?" Starlight interjected with a bland tone.
"Fairfood isn't that bad. You're just picky. Anyway, it tasted bland. Like the best thing on the menu was the hay but it'd take a lot to mess that up."
"Geez. I hope you didn't spend a lot," Sunburst said.
"I didn't. But I still sort of wish I got my bits back."
"So is there anything I can get you three?" The waitress asked, returning.
"You know, would it be too much to ask for a glass of water?" Discord asked.
"No, not at all. And for you two?"
"I guess I'll also get a glass of water," Trixie said, sliding the menu forward.
"I'm not hungry," Tempest responded. "Thank you."
The waitress nodded before taking the menus back from the table. "I'll be right back with those," she said departing.
"... so Tempest. What exactly is your mission out here?" Sunburst asked.
"I'm supposed to search a designated area for something."
"Something? Do you not know what it is?"
"The princess wasn't exactly expository."
"Odd. Twilight's usually precise about things. I've seen her have a scroll the length of a wagon."
"They can get way longer than that," Starlight informed.
"Here you are," the waitress said, taking and placing each glass on the table.
Tempest stared at the glass placed in front of her for a few moments.
"Let me know if any of you need anything else. Enjoy!" She said departing once more.
"So you don't even know the area you're investigating?" Sunburst asked.
Tempest brought the drink closer to her. "Tragic isn't it?" Tempest replied with an underlying sarcasm.
Glancing across the table, she noticed Discord was fiddling with something in his paw again but it looked like he was connecting two pieces of something together.
"I just think it's strange Twilight was so vague," Sunburst reiterated.
"She told me that we may not even find it," Starlight said, her tone gloomy as she stared at the table.
"From the sound of it, Trixie thinks Twilight's not very… caring."
Tempest weighed the assessment. She remembered Twilight's sincere warm smile. She doubted it was fake and if it was, she had a mask that rivaled most Tempest had seen. Plus if Twilight didn't care she wouldn't be here.
"Twilight cares," Sunburst denied. "I'm sure whatever it is, it's important enough for you four to travel up here."
"It'd be quite the long trek for nothing wouldn't it," Tempest said almost to herself in amusement.
"Wait. You all came on hoof?"
Tempest moved her glass in circular motions, passively mesmerizing herself with the surface of the liquid staying relatively level.
"Is there a specific reason for it?"
"Apparently it was Twilight's request," Trixie replied.
Sunburst scratched the side of his head. "This seems needlessly convoluted."
Tempest glanced up, noticing Starlight was sitting with her hoof propped into her cheek with a frown and slightly furrowed brows.
Tempest considered she may be annoyed at the circumstances but she thought it possible she was still bitter from their altercation. She thought to maybe apologize but she didn't believe she had anything to apologize for. She simply didn't want to share any personal information with ponies she didn't know well. It's not her obligation to share her story to be a part of a pseudo group.
"Tempest, my dear," Discord said, suddenly beside her. "It appears it is time for your duel," he finished, holding something below her
Looking down, she saw Discord holding a clock that was a part of a necklace she was apparently wearing.
Before she could discern any of its features, she felt a pull inwards and then a burst.
She blinked a few times, readjusting from the daze. She quickly furrowed her brows. "Now I understand the wizard's plea."
Her eyes began to survey her surroundings. She appeared to be in a large empty field that had rows upon rows of seats leading up beyond the walls. At the furthest end, she noticed four major seats that appeared to be suited for royalty with its cutie mark symbols.
"Why are you helpful in the most unhelpful way possible?" Trixie shot.
"Unhelpful is relative," he replied.
"Discord," Starlight stated, attempting not to fume. "We didn't even finish our food."
"Don't worry, I tipped if that's what you're concerned about."
Sunburst adjusted his spectacles as he examined his surroundings. "Why are we here?"
"Didn't you hear? Tempest is going to have a duel with the captain of the royal guard, prince, father, and Twilight's brother himself."
It occurred to Tempest Discord said father. Which wouldn't be noteworthy to her normally but she remembered he stated his affiliations with a certain Alicorn princess she captured.
She decided to disregard the thoughts for the time being.
"Oh, right. I already forgot about that," Sunburst replied sheepishly.
"What kind of duel is this?" Trixie asked.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "I don't make the rules."
"After this, you will be retrieving the map, Spirit of Chaos," Tempest said, not bothering to face him.
"Perhaps if you're victorious?"
"There will be no such terms."
There was a lingering silence.
Sunburst spoke. "So, how long-"
"I see you've arrived early!" A voice called.
Arriving from the left side of the field was Shining Armor except he appeared to not be wearing any with only two guards accompanying him as protection. Tempest began toward him to greet.
"So, you ready to lose?" Shining said in jest.
"Depends on what the rules are," Tempest noted. "And even then I remain skeptical."
"Fair point. Well, the big question is if spells are allowed and if so, to what level," Shining looked at the broken horn at Tempest's forehead. "Can you cast spells?"
"In a way. But that would increase the chance of being injured."
"I see. So a safety net wouldn't be a bad idea."
Discord who was next to Tempest cleared his throat. "I happen to know a handsome looking safety net who may volunteer."
Both Shining and Tempest looked at him with a raised brow.
"Fine," Shining relented. "And if you fail, be sure it will be reported to Twilight."
Discord groaned. "I despise this constant threat being used as a ploy against me."
"Now we have to decide the level of spells we should allow. I say we should use spells on the lower spectrum otherwise it may not be fair," he noted with a grin.
Tempest smirked to herself upon realizing what he was implying. "Oh, you definitely may be right," she said, flipping his assessment.
"How about we do simple spells like bubble shields or single shot beams?"
Upon hearing this, both Trixie, Starlight, and Sunburst looked on bemused.
"Fine by me," Tempest agreed.
Eyes widening, Sunburst shared a glance with Starlight.
Shining looked at both of his guards nodding before flicking his head gesturing behind him.
The guards turned, walking away.
Shining ambled toward the center of the field, passing Tempest.
Tempest followed, moving to get into her own position.
Standing ten feet apart in the center of the field, Sunburst, Starlight, and Trixie stood at a safe distance between them away from combat.
Tempest didn't show it but her excitement was building with anticipation.
Shining gazed with furrowed brows and a smirk of confidence.
"Are we sure this is a good idea?" Sunburst called.
But no reply came as they continued to size each other up, the battle already beginning.
A starry flash of magic appeared next to Trixie, revealing a stand Discord was sitting at with a stack of sheets or cards.
Tempest put her hoof at her scarf, pulling it down. The scarf fell to the grass then the dark poncho, leaving Tempest bare of any clothing that may restrict her movement.
Tempest made the first move dashing forward. As she was sprinting, her horn began to spark.
Smirking, Shining's own horn lit with magic, conjuring a magenta bubble shield around himself.
Magical electricity arced all around the sphere.
The distance closing, Tempest noticed his shield remained intact despite the energy she was putting out. She focused, increasing her efforts, the electricity growing more intense and rapid.
Tempest realized if she didn't break down his defense, she would be stopped in her tracks or lose the momentum for her assault. And she wasn't one to stop.
She continued her sprint, enhancing her magic. The shield showed no sign of breaking. But she decided to commit.
Turning and sliding across the grass, she extended her hind leg forward at high velocity. Everything slowed down for her.
The shield cracked.
Her hoof hit the shield, shattering it, her momentum carrying her forward as her hind leg approached Shining.
At the last moment, Shining reacted by leaning to his right, the air brushing past his barrel as Tempest passed. And on quick thinking, he extended his hind leg out in hopes of tripping her.
Tempest reacted, lifting the rest of her hooves off the ground for a moment before landing awkwardly and skidding across the grass a few feet. Keeping on the offensive, she quickly charged back toward Shining, cocking her hoof back.
Facing her, Shining stepped back, swatting her hoof away.
Tempest continued the assault, as she used the aid in her momentum to turn her body and swing her hind leg at his head for what would be a lethal blow.
But Shining ducked, the leg crazing his mane.
Spinning around attempting to use the last of her momentum, Tempest swung her foreleg again.
But Shining leaned back before trying to use the opening for a hit of his own, aiming for her head.
Smirking, Shining prepared to stop his hoof just shy of her cheek and claim himself already victorious but was surprised when his hoof hit the back of her foreleg.
Putting her hoof down to regain balance, Tempest swung her other hoof at his cheek but her hit was blocked by his foreleg as well.
Putting her hoof down again, she decided to go for a lower jab at his chest to hopefully subvert his expectations and make it difficult for him to counter.
She raised her hoof up toward his chest, noticing it was past the threshold for blocking. Tempest grinned, but it quickly disappeared as her hoof made contact with something solid that blocked its path and made an odd sound.
Looking down, she noticed her hoof had hit a small magenta shield just bigger than her hoof.
Shining smirked before he attempted a blow at her head again.
Tempest ducked and turned her head, feeling the air of the hoof passing by her cheek. She begrudgingly stumbled away a few feet before getting back into her stance.
Their eyes locked.
Tempest could feel herself on the edge of a rush as her heart rate was elevated, pumping blood through her veins as she was pushing her body to her limits. And to her delight, her opponent was putting her to the test and flexing a part of her she hadn't honed. Her endurance.
Dashing forward, Tempest approached with gritted teeth.
Shining stood his ground, maintaining his castle guard stance.
But as Tempest approached, she noticed his horn lit with magic. Attempting to decipher his intention, she realized it must be an oncoming projectile due to how early he telegraphed it.
She kicked her hindlegs hard, sending her into the air as a beam of magenta shot from Shining's horn passed below her. She cocked her foreleg back ready for a devastating blow as she sailed through the air, but to her delight once more, Shining dodged toward her as her hoof hit the earth.
Turning, she briskly brought the same foreleg back behind her for a backhoof to the head.
He ducked before blocking her other hoof he knew would be coming. But she seemed to expect it as she swung again with her other hoof immediately. He resorted to magic again to block the blow to his side before going for a counter attack.
She crouched down this time to avoid his swing before she whirled around using her hind leg to sweep under his single exposed foreleg.
Shining reacted by lifting his leg off the ground and stumbling back a few feet on his hind legs.
Tempest attempted to use the opening and poor stance she'd made as her horn arced with magical electricity.
Shining noticing at the very last moment, conjuring a protective bubble shield that absorbed the electricity as it arced sporadically around him.
Tempest smiled.
She found herself reaching the rush she almost guiltily felt deprived of. She was relishing the violent dance.
The shield broke and they stood a comfortable distance apart when Shining spoke. "You're pretty adamant, I'll give you that," he complimented, attempting not to show how close he just was to defeat.
Tempest chuckled. "I haven't fought someone who's lasted this long in a long time." She lunged forward.
However, Shining cocked his hoof back this time anticipating she would be too confident and overzealous to expect him to switch his tactics.
Tempest smiled. She leaned back and lowered her hunches before sliding under the blow. Surprised, Shining immediately turned and blindly attempted to block a strike but was surprised when he felt her… roll over his body?
Landing on the other side of him, Tempest swept her foreleg at his single exposed one, leaving Shining with no forelegs on the ground.
He toppled forward, leaning his head back to protect his muzzle from the impact. He attempted to put his hooves in front of him to stop or soften his fall but his chest met the grass with a thud. Blinking rapidly a few times, he saw and felt a shadow standing over him. Looking up, he saw Tempest gazing down at him with a grin and hoof cocked back for a finishing blow that could've come long ago.
Tempest slowed her breathing down when the position she was in dawned on her. She glanced up at her observers as she gave her last labored breaths, a frown forming as realization was setting in.
The observers looked on with a vast range of expressions, from astonishment, to disappointment, to excitement.
Tempest lowered her hoof down before extending it toward Shining.
His eyes scanned the grass for a few moments. Looking back at her, he reached up and locked hooves, using it as leverage to stand as she helped.
"I don't know about you three but my rating for that fight is a solid eight," Discord exclaimed, gesturing to another version of himself holding a card up with the bold number eight.
"I have some notes here about the choreography," another Discord said, looking down at the notepad in paw, and scratching just below the red cap on his head.
The original Discord snapped his talons making him disappear before he stared at the other with the card. The other Discord being put on the spot simply snapped his own fingers, disappearing.
"It's a miracle that that didn't go awry," Sunburst said.
"Can you imagine if one of you knocked each other out?" Trixie said, smiling to herself.
"The chance was small and we both agreed to the terms knowing the consequences."
"Small?" Trixie asked.
"We knew what we were doing and there were no ill intentions. Though I may have messed up once," Shining mumbled.
"The right hook that grazed my cheek?" Tempest asked, walking forward while wrapping the scarf around her neck over her poncho.
"Yeah."
Sunburst, Trixie, and Starlight looked to Tempest expecting her to be angry or become livid but Tempest laughed.
"That could have been unfortunate. Good thing I reacted quick enough," she said.
Shining appearing dejected, looked away.
"What's the matter, Shining?" Sunburst asked.
Shining lifted his head straight. "Nothing's the matter. I had a great time and it was a great duel," he said, but Tempest could detect his faulty tone. "Anyway, I have to head back to the castle. Don't be afraid to come up if you need anything," he said, before he turned and began toward the exit.
"I suppose I should be figuring out a way to retrieve the map," Discord noted. "Hm, give me a moment."
And with a starry flash he was gone.
"Do you think he'll come back?" Sunburst asked.
"He'd better," Tempest said.
Once a seconds in the twenties had passed, a starry flash appeared again, revealing the draconequus holding a sheet of paper.
"How did you get it?" Starlight prodded, raising a brow, demanding an answer.
"Don't worry. I didn't time travel. I did think about it but it's too much effort and I didn't want to risk fracturing space time and causing paradoxes for a piece of paper. Fluttershy would not approve of such a thing."
Starlight's glare softened before she looked down.
"But I did talk to Twilight and she marked this for me," Discord said, levitating the map in front of Tempest
The map showed the Crystal Empire with an area outside it toward the mountains circled.
"You talked to Twilight?" Sunburst asked.
Tempest considered he may be lying but he seemed to fear punishment of some sort from Twilight. And she considered also maybe from whoever Fluttershy was.
"Yes, it was brief with an eye roll."
Tempest considered the direction they had to go before speaking. "Then we should head there while we still have daylight and start the search."
"We won't have much left soon. Onward then!" Discord exclaimed beginning toward the exit of the coliseum.
Starlight looked to Sunburst while the others followed Discord. "See you later?"
"Uh, yeah. See you tomorrow," Sunburst amended.
Starlight's smile fell ever so slightly.
The walk through the grassy plains was short and uneventful with the four travelers reaching the edge where the radiating energy of the Crystal Empire dissipated and the harsh cold of the north mountains began.
Tempest passed through the energy field bowing her head slightly. She immediately felt the cold air on her face. Looking ahead through the icy haze, she could barely see the mountains and a ravine passing through to the right.
"It looks like a snow storm may be coming," Discord noted.
Tempest continued, unfazed.
Eventually, her hooves stepped into snow. Which grew deeper the further up they travelled.
"It's so cold," Trixie complained.
"Ya think," Starlight said, gesturing to her bare chest.
Trixie looked up at her hat. "Do you wanna wear my hat?" She offered sheepishly.
"Oh, yeah. That'll definitely help."
Tempest looked down at her scarf and poncho. A moment passed before she continued through the snow.
"So how far are we heading up this mountain?" Trixie asked.
"At least halfway," Tempest replied.
"We don't even know what we're looking for," Trixie complained.
"What do you suggest we do then?" Tempest asked, continuing forward.
"Not trek up a mountain?"
Tempest tried to think of a solution herself with the only idea coming to mind being to split up to cover more ground. She wouldn't have to hear any complaining anymore either.
"We could split up. We'd cover more ground. We can rendezvous at the energy field in a few hours.
"Playing evil's advocate here," Discord started. "I'm certain splitting up is how bad things happen in many stories. Plus the snow storm is coming soon so getting lost in the blistering cold where you can't see very far may be bad for all of you. Perhaps if we chose a pair. Hm, yes I like that idea." Discord looked to Trixie with a snaggletooth smirk.
"Uh uh, I'm not going with you!" Trixie admonished.
Tempest thought about the draconequus' assessment and figured it was a fair point. But she didn't really desire to have a partner. Especially not the one standing adjacent to her.
"Would this suffice?" Discord asked, gesturing to a thick coat in his paw. "We'll also be able to get back faster."
Trixie looked at the coat but turned her head away. "Fine," she relented.
"Excellent," he said, snapping his fingers. "Cocoa on me when we get back."
"You sure you'll be alright Starlight?" Trixie asked.
"I'm sure I'll be fine."
Discord snapped his fingers again giving Starlight a saddle bag with gear on top and a sleeping bag. "The map is with you," he noted. "Now. Shall we be off?"
Trixie with the coat now on sauntered to Starlight. She wrapped her foreleg around her and brought her into a hug which Starlight reciprocated. "Be safe okay?"
"I will."
Tempest looked to the snow.
Trixie parted from her before beginning away alongside Discord.
Tempest turned, beginning up the mountain, Starlight shortly following suit.
As they trekked, the wind picked up and their vision grew more blurry, the snow began to devour more of their hooves, making walking more difficult.
Especially for Starlight, who struggled to keep upright with the extra weight she was carrying. She found herself giving a shaky exhale.
Tempest's breathing was more calm with the fog leaving her muzzle every few seconds.
"Of course he couldn't give me a coat," Starlight mumbled, her teeth threatening to chatter.
Tempest didn't respond, continuing up the slope as the brutal winter grew in ferocity and its unforgivingness.
They both found themselves squinting as the snow spiraled, curled, and billowed in front of them, blurring their vision.
"W-we should h-head back!" Starlight yelled, the cold biting her skin and beginning to bare on her muscle and bone.
"We're almost there!" Tempest replied, raising her voice over the snow fall, feeling the effects of the cold.
"The storm is gonna get worse!" Starlight shouted, the wind beginning to howl.
Tempest didn't reply, ignoring the warning, willing to press on through the wrath of the winter.
There was a few dozen seconds of silence before Starlight spoke. "Well I'm going back!"
Stopping, Tempest turned her head over her shoulder seeing Starlight with a glare turn around and begin back down the mountain.
She glared back. Turning forward, she continued climbing.
After a few minutes she found herself angling her head down to avoid the onslaught of ice and snow hitting her face and eyes. She finished climbing the slope and looked ahead.
In front of her was a cave.
A shaky exhale left her muzzle.
She wondered if she had to go into the cave. Perhaps what she was looking for was in it.
The wind howled as a chill crawled up her spine.
Affirming her resolve, she entered the cave, the snow no longer bathing her body as darkness threatened to take its place.
Her pulse elevated. She stopped in her tracks. Looking and listening for anything other than the wind.
She pressed forward slowly.
Step. Step. Step.
The light behind her began to fade.
Step. Step. CRACK.
In an instant, she began to fall. And almost a full three seconds later her body hit the ground.
She groaned as she got to her hooves, her body now aching from the fall. She attempted to take in her surroundings but saw only darkness. Looking up she saw a dim light from the mouth of the cave coming through the hole she fell through.
The light of freedom was high above and out of reach. Now she was bathed in darkness.
She weighed her options. She was stuck alone and lost. She thought about staying put out of hopes of someone finding her but who? She furrowed her brows and decided the only way she was going to escape was by herself.
She began her descent, venturing forth in the dark and dreary bowels of the under earth.
The darkness was thick and murky and almost felt like a liquid. The atmosphere vibrated in an angry undertow, with the oppression of the darkness eliciting a sliver of fear that wanted to grow. She attempted to suppress it.
Her horn arced and sparked electricity which briefly gave her light for a few feet every few seconds.
She used it to her advantage, continuing forward as she felt her body growing colder. She briefly saw a branching path in the flicker of blue light. She decided to take it, hoping she didn't doom herself in the black labyrinth.
Following the curve of the path for what felt like a minute, she noticed she entered a room that felt heavy. And in a flicker of her horn, she saw the grey face of the icy wall that stood out. It looked almost crystalline in nature with ridged edges on its surface. What also made it stand out was the crystal mounds on either side going until the top which had an oddly shaped crystal structure at the top.
She steadily put her hoof to its surface. She found it was actually smooth despite its appearance.
Looking further into it, she saw her reflection in its depths.
But her mind was jerked away from her thoughts as her body jolted. Standing behind her was a shadow with glowing crimson eyes with red tracings flowing from them, bearing an oppressing presence.
In the same moment her mind was flooded with flashes of imagery. Imagery that yielded a revelation of brutal truth and what was and to be.
Horn sparking electricity fiercely with her brows furrowed, she swiftly turned to face the shadow and found it was gone.
Her heart rate refused to slow despite the threat vanishing. Magical electricity crackled and popped every few seconds as she breathed aggressively.
The images were burned and seared in her mind.
Cold. Falling. Stars.
Face contorted, she hissed through her gritted teeth. Her eyes glazed over and she squeezed them shut, but to no avail as a tear escaped, traveling down before falling below. The river began to flow as she let out a shaky moan. Her legs felt weak as the atmosphere's weight bore onto her being. She tried to fight but the battle she waged inside was doomed from the start.
She collapsed, giving in to the flood.
The cold, existential, dreary vision she was presented with broke her. She was cold, hollow, and alone and it was her fault. While her surroundings and environment battered her in the beginning for a long time, ultimately she was the reason she was where she was now. She was the problem. A broken weak monster. And soon, she would die. Alone.
"Tempest?!"
The distant echoing voice made Tempest's ear flick and her sobs cease.
Her horn shorted and flickered with magical electricity.
Looking down the hole, Starlight could hardly see anything. There was a faint light from the mouth of the cave touching the ground below, but around it was darkness.
Starlight knitted her brow further realizing no response had come yet. Her pulse quickened. Horn alight with a turquoise glow, she disappeared and reappeared with a small turquoise blast down in the hole, the light from above faint.
"Tempest!?" She called again, hoping for a response waiting for a groan or a scream.
Her horn glowed again, but instead brighter, enough to illuminate her surroundings.
But she soon found her horn wasn't as bright as she thought as it faintly illuminated her surroundings. She still couldn't see the edges of the cave but she could see that there was nothing around her in the radius. The darkness around her looked almost black now but she could see faint motions. It looked like the darkness was billowing or undulating.
She pressed forward, or what she imagined forward would be when she noticed a figure was standing in the darkness. They were barely visible but she could see the faint outline and shape. She stopped, her turquoise light just shy of the figure.
She took a few steps.
The figures' forelegs, chest, neck and face were now touched by the blue light. The figure had a dark coat along with a scarf wrapped around their neck.
"Tempest?"
Starlight could barely see her face but couldn't distinguish any features. She just looked like she had a blank expression which made Starlight more uneasy. She couldn't get a read or a feeling from her stare, just a growing pit of unsettlement.
The thick silence hung heavy as her worry grew heavier.
But Tempest finally moved, stepping forward.
Starlight expected to see a glare or a callaced blank expression but what she saw was worse.
Tempest had furrowed brows with dark cheeks residually stained from tears. Her eyes were vulnerable, and hurt.
It shook Starlight to her core. She immediately rushed forward in a trot, the light fully bathing Tempest.
She stopped just before her and tried to think of what to say as she searched her cyan eyes. But instead, she opted for a bold move that she felt she needed to do.
She moved her head past Tempest and wrapped her foreleg around her, holding her.
Moments passed before Tempest reciprocated the embrace, wanting something to hold for comfort. Her face contorted once more, "I'm sorry," she whispered, her eyes beginning to well up.
Starlight didn't respond, still trying to process it all as the apology was the last of her concerns.
Tempest shakily whimpered.
"It's okay," Starlight tried to gently soothe.
Tempest began giving short inhales with long exhales.
The pair held each other for a while before Tempest's breathing returned to normal.
Starlight pulled away looking at Tempest. "Are you okay?"
The question itself seemed obvious but upon reflection Tempest truly didn't have an answer. She considered she wasn't having a breakdown anymore but she still didn't feel okay. She felt exposed, wanting to reinforce and hide her heart. An undertow hatred was relit as it burned.
"I'm fine."
Starlight's eyes fell to the dimly lit ground.
Moments passed before Starlight spoke, "Let's get out of here." She looked up to the hole with rays of light faintly passing down. "Ready?"
Tempest gave a single nod.
They both disappeared and reappeared with a small turquoise blast next to the hole. In front of them was the bright mouth of the cave. The wind howled as some snow pushed into the cave.
Tempest pushed her hoof under the scarf and pulled it away from her neck with some effort. She held it out in front of Starlight.
Starlight gave a smile as thanks, taking it and then wrapping it around her neck. They both began forward, exiting the cave, and entering the raging winter.
The cold instantly began to oppress their bodies, with gusts of wind cutting down to the bone.
Tempest felt sapped and drained. Her emotions were dampened but also her body. She figured it was due to the duel and the climb but it still didn't feel right. She felt more lethargic than she's ever been.
They stumbled down the mountain until they were at normal elevation but the snow hardly lessened, with their vision still blurred.
They were approaching the shield of the empire when Tempest suddenly stumbled and fell.
"Tempest? What's wrong?" Starlight asked immediately at her side.
Tempest slightly strained to get up. "Nothing. I just tripped."
Starlight didn't pry as she followed alongside her.
They passed through the energy field, a warmth instantly surrounding them.
"There you two are," Discord greeted. "And it seems you've come empty hoofed."
Trixie's eyes darted to the scarf around Starlight's neck.
"So anything of note?" He prodded.
Starlight stared at Tempest.
"I didn't find anything," Tempest replied.
"So what's the plan? Are we coming back here tomorrow?" Trixie asked.
"We'll do one more day of searching," Tempest stated. "For now I think I need some rest."
Discord seemed to study her for a few seconds before he snapped his fingers.
Reorienting herself, Tempest found they were in the hotel room they booked.
"Thank Celestia," Trixie said, "I really didn't want to walk all the way back."
"Celestia isn't the one you should be thanking," Discord replied.
Tempest found herself walking out onto the balcony. The sun was descending toward the horizon, foreshadowing the night to come.
Commotion of the city seemed to have died with a few crystal ponies here and there.
Tempest felt a nagging feeling trying to force its way to the forefront of her mind. It felt like a distant plate being clawed by a fork and she blocked it out.
But the feeling of an untimely demise prevailed. And she could almost hear the faint tick of a clock as it echoed.
"What took you both so long to come back?"
Looking behind her, she saw Discord holding a strange clock.
"It was a difficult trek up," Tempest replied.
"It appeared so. I thought something may have happened. But of course, if something did happen you could just call my name," Discord moved his talons over the clock and began magically making the hands spin, passing its time in endless loops.
"Is this an attempt at getting me to call you by your name?"
"No. I'd probably prefer being called the Spirit of Chaos all the time and having my ego stroked. But my friends tend to call me Discord."
Tempest said nothing and continued to stare blankly at the horizon. After what felt like a half a minute she turned to see if the draconequus was still accompanying her. He was sitting in a chair at the corner of the balcony, holding what appeared to be some sort of wooden rectangular tower. He pulled two sticks away from it, one golden with fancy engravings over it with a butterfly end, and another that was silver and double jointed with a purple ball at the end. He let the two sticks go, the first stick beginning to sway back and forth while the double jointed one spun around at random intervals as it swayed back and forth.
"What is that?" Tempest asked.
"Oh, nothing. It's just a gift to someone close to me," he answered, making the pendulum disappear.
She began to ponder who he was referring to but she vaguely remembered a name mentioned a while ago. Though she found it sort of difficult to believe he cared about anyone.
"What's their name?"
"She's one of Twilight's friends."
"The white unicorn?"
"Rarity? Oh heavens no. She dislikes me just as much as the rest. The pony I'm referring to is Fluttershy."
Tempest tried to recall but found her mind drawing a blank. She remembered the pink earth pony, cyan pegasus, and Rarity. But she couldn't remember the others.
"She's the pegasus with the long pink mane she likes to hide behind, with positively delightful cyan eyes, and an adorable shy and timid personality brimming with compassion."
Upon hearing his description, Tempest raised a brow. "Are you joking?"
"Why is it so hard for everypony to believe?"
"I don't know. Maybe because you're an immortal being who seems to thrive off of nihilism and get a kick out of misery."
"Well no need to be so poignant. After all, you seem to have quite the dark mind."
Tempest recalled all the terrible things she'd done. How she actually enjoyed the violence. How she enjoyed the thrill. The drastic lengths she was willing to go to feel whole again. But scars never heal.
She should be locked in Tartarus for what she'd done. Yet, she walked free. A desolate path. And now she was doomed.
"Hey, Discord, you promised hot cocoa," Trixie said, passing through the curtain.
"Yes, of course," he replied.
A table appeared in the center of the balcony, on it were three mugs of steaming cocoa.
Trixie levitated a mug to her muzzle as she examined it. Satisfied with what she saw, she brought it to her lips taking a sip.
Starlight continued to examine the liquid. "Where'd you get this from?"
"Does it matter?"
"Well, I'd like to know if what I'm drinking is actual cocoa or some illusionary chaotic energy or something."
"It's as real as reality," he replied.
Starlight dejectedly sighed before bringing the mug to her lips.
"And would you look at that," Discord said. "The sun is about to touch the horizon. That's my call for some shut eye. Toodles!" He exclaimed, disappearing with a snap.
"He seemed to wanna leave in a hurry," Starlight noted.
"Fine by me," Trixie replied, turning and entering back inside.
Tempest stood, examining the sky and the fade of the sun's light. Her ears flicked to the sound of something humming next to her. Looking beside her, she saw a steaming mug levitating in a turquoise aura and behind it was Starlight.
Starlight gave a gentle smile. "It's getting cold."
Tempest in response gave a very faint smile, snaking her hoof through the hole and around the mug before the aura faded. She held it but continued to stare at the city.
"So," Starlight started, her voice just above a hush, "what happened in the cave?"
Tempest knew the question was going to be asked eventually. But to share it was another matter.
She took a few moments before responding. "I went into the cave and the floor collapsed. Then I went deeper to try and find a way out… I saw a mirror. Or something. It was embedded in the wall and had a strange crystal structure at the top. But in the mirror I saw something."
"What did you see?"
Tempest took another few moments. "I don't know."
Attempting to take her mind off of it, she looked to the mug in her hoof. In the steam she could faintly see the brown liquid that had an almost damascus pattern appearance, and floating in it were two small marshmallows.
Noticing nothing out of the ordinary she brought it to her lips taking a sip.
Smacking her lips lightly to enunciate the taste, she found it had a pleasant earthiness to it and an element of creaminess with the sugary marshmallows that wasn't overbearing.
"Thanks for letting me wear the scarf," Starlight said.
"Don't mention it," Tempest replied.
They both stood in silence for a few minutes before Starlight spoke again. "Wanna head inside?"
"Sure."
Inside the room, Trixie was sitting in a chair staring at the table.
"What's up Trix?"
"I'm just bored," she said simply.
"Why don't you practice some magic?"
"My stuff is in the wagon," Trixie replied.
"Oh, right, my bad," Starlight said sheepishly.
"Speaking of that, where are we gonna sleep?"
"I assume you don't have any bits for another room."
"Nope."
"Yeah, me neither. If only there were a certain draconequus around." She sighed. "Well, I guess we'll have to share the bed," she said, looking over at Tempest.
Tempest looked minorly concerned but she also appeared to be exhausted. Thinking about it, she felt like her whole body was begging for rest.
At the side of the bed, she threw the heavy blanket back before climbing into it.
"Going to bed early?" Starlight asked.
"Yeah," Tempest replied, bringing the blanket back over herself as she laid on her side.
"I guess we should join you,"Starlight replied.
Tempest felt the other side of the blanket lift behind her before someone entered the bed. They scooted near Tempest but they didn't make any contact. There were a few moments that passed before the last pony entered the bed as the blanket fell.
Tempest closed her eyes, before realizing she would have to get up to turn off the light. But before she could move, she heard the sound of a horn shimmering as the lights went out.
A few seconds of stirring occurred before the room settled.
It felt a bit awkward but the comfort of the heavy blanket and the heat being generated under it started to lull her into a calmness. Her mind trailed off as thoughts began to already disappear. Letting go, she felt herself gently fall away into the depths of sleep.