A massive boom echoed throughout the room as Grogar emerged through his portal, the Storm King sat leaning against the table in the center of the room watching Grogar approach. The portal shut behind him a moment later which made the Storm King tilt his head to the side to look behind Grogar.
“Wait, you didn’t bring her? I thought you said she’d join us after all that.” he asked. Grogar walked over and began to cast his magic on the seeing stone at the center of the table the image shifting to move across the landscape of Equestria at great speed.
“I’ve given her something to think about for now, it won’t be long before she tries something against Celestia and her family and fails again. Then she’ll be desperate, she’ll beg to become a part of my alliance. Its only a matter of time now.” Grogar said. The Storm King leaned back in his chair tapping the end of his staff against the floor in an annoyed manner.
“She’d better be better than this one you already found, why does she keep talking to herself?” he asked. Grogar looked past the satyr and saw Nightmare Rarity in the corner, her front hooves on the sides of her head as she muttered to herself.
“Nightmare has lost more than half of his full power, he can’t drown out his host’s voice in his mind. So he has to listen to her talk I suppose.” Grogar explained. Storm King looked back at Nightmare and listened to her talk for a moment,
“Shut up, Shut up! I don’t care what shape your mane or coat are in...I’m not taking a shower... I just said I don’t care!!….Shut up! Shut up! Quit your insufferable whining already!!!” she shouted. Nightmare went silent for a moment before her eyes suddenly shot wide open, then let out an almost pained frustrated scream. Grogar and the Storm King both watched her in confusion before Nightmare suddenly stormed out of the room screaming to herself again.
“That was weird...I need to get back now, guessing you’ll summon me if something comes up?” the Storm King asked. Grogar nodded and a moment later he opened a portal allowing the Storm King to return to his kingdom. He walked through the portal and was instantly sent to his throne room, his lackey Grubber was standing near his throne waiting for him, and next to him a new face, a pony in a heavy black cloak the hood pulled over her head. The Storm King walked towards the two and leaned down to the pony with a smile and asked,
“So… ‘Tempest’, tell me about this spell of yours…”
A full day had passed since Chrysalis was driven out of Costa Del Bronco and the resort had finally begun to get back under way. Most of the creatures vacationing had left given the circumstances, but some had remained, and the staff was finally getting back to work to the best of their ability. Thorax and the Changelings had made themselves at home in the cavern behind the waterfall making it into a new hive for them to settle in. And some of the changelings had even volunteered to help around the resort as an apology. The House of Sun naturally got back to relaxing and enjoying the last bit of their vacation as they still had four days left before they needed to return to Canterlot. Spike and Sweetie eagerly rushed through the forest making their way to the waterfall, a few changelings were outside the cave setting up huts and a few other things to make their stay more comfortable. Sweetie and Spike rushed up to the waterfall and then Sweetie shouted out loud,
“Ocellus! Come on out! We’re gonna go to the beach today!” The little filly bouncing with excitement a few seconds later Ocellus flew out of the cave landing next to them.
“Hi guys! Thanks for inviting me again!” she said,
“Well were friends aren’t we? It’s only natural we’d bring you along!” Spike replied. The three eagerly sprinted off making their way to the beach, Spike went to the kiosk as the edge and got a few towels while Sweetie took Ocellus with her to find a spot for them to set up the umbrella and their things.
“So what are we gonna do exactly? I’ve never been to the beach before.” Ocellus asked. Sweetie Belle hugged the blue bug and with a smile she explained,
“We play, obviously! Now come on, last one in the water is a rotten egg!” Sweetie then turned darted off to the water Spike following behind, Ocellus watched for a moment but then was quick follow jumping into the water alongside her friends.
Twilight was packing up a few of her things, Sunset, Shining, Cadence in the hut with her.
“Okay, today’s the day we get to tackle the hiking trail. You all set Sunset?” she asked.
“Twi, I’ve been ready for almost an hour you’re the one who’s taking her time packing too much. Let’s go already.” Sunset replied. Twilight threw her saddlebag across her back and trot over to the door,
“What’re you and Cadence doing today Shining?” she asked.
“I was thinking we’d go see the galleria, something nice and quiet for the two of us to do together today.” Cadence said, which Shining nodded in agreement.
“Well you two have fun, just remember were eating dinner together later tonight.” Twilight said, she turned and opened the door and was suddenly greeted by a tall snake like creature in a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses they were all to familiar with.
“Hello my little ponies! So sorry I’m late, traffic was such a mess on the way to the resort. I’m guessing that I’ll be bunking with my friends Shining and Spike? All us boys together getting into trouble while the mares are away?” Discord said as he walked into the hut a second later an overloaded suitcase floating in behind him. Every pony stood staring in disbelief at his sudden appearance, and then Twilight suddenly snapped at him.
“You show up now of all times!? Discord! We could’ve used your help two days ago!” Discord took off his sunglasses and looked down at Twilight almost offended.
“Well what kind of greeting is that to give a friend? And what was so important two days ago that I needed to be here? Hmm?” he asked. Twilight tried to answer only to find herself just stuttering and unable to give a straight explanation let alone answer Discord. She finally just let out a frustrated groan and walked past him,
“Never mind, Sunset and I have to get to the hiking trail kiosk before it starts. Just try and behave while your here Discord.” she said. Twilight looked back to see Discord now dressed in a white robe, a harp in one hand, a plastic halo above his head.
“Oh trust me Twilight, I wouldn’t ruin any pony’s vacation today. I’m just here to have some fun with my friends. Isn't that right, Shining?” he asked. Shining looked back at Twilight a slightly nervous look on his face. Twilight rolled her eyes and walked out of the hut Sunset following her close.
“Well I guess we better get going too Shining.” Cadence said,
“Umm, you go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you in a second okay, Cady?” he asked. Cadence looked at Discord then Shining before nodding with a smile and trotting off leaving the two alone in the hut. A moment after the door shut Discord snapped his fingers making his suitcase, shirt, and sunglasses vanish and turned to Shining arms crossed,
“Alright I’m here, so I’m guessing were still going along with your grand plan for dinner tonight?” Discord asked with a grin,
“Yeah, we are. Just remember to do just like you promised, and no making things go bad alright? I really want this all to be perfect tonight.” Shining said. Discord slid up beside Shining grabbing his shoulder and pulling him close,
“Oh Shining Armor, my dear friend, as Lord of Chaos and Discord I promise you this night will go exactly how you want it. I just hope you’ll remember to hold up my end of the bargain later on.” Discord said with a grin. Shining nodded in approval,
“You do this for me Discord, and I’ll get every pony to come through on my end of the deal.” Shining answered. Discord sprang to his mismatched feet and clapped his hands together,
“Oh this is going to be sooo much fun! Just you wait, now you and Cadence go have some fun together. I think I’ll go spend time with my favorite dragon and his little filly friend before dinner." Discord said before holding up his hand and vanishing with a snap of his fingers.
Night time had finally come and every creature was at the resort pier, the pier also doubled as a restaurant and at night every creature sat outside in order to watch the fireworks go off. The House of Sun had been split into the three tables on the farthest side of the pier overlooking the ocean below. Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and Sunset were together at the first table, Spike, Sweetie, and Discord at the next, and finally Cadence and Shining at the last in clear view of the other tables. Spike leaned back in his chair rubbing his full belly,
“Oh that was so good, we need to teach the castle cooks how to make food like this I could eat it all day.” he sighed. Sweetie reached over and rubbed his belly playfully,
“You can’t eat like this all the time, you’ll get fat! And I like you small enough that I can hug you Spike!” Sweetie teased. Every pony was talking to one another when Discord looked over at Shining who smiled and gave a subtle nod, Discord held up his hand and with a snap of his fingers a set of musical instruments appeared behind Shining and Cadence playing soothing, romantic music. The lights on the pier now dulling save for those focused on Shining and Cadence’s table. Every pony looked around confused by what Discord was up to all of a sudden, Twilight stood up and looked at Discord angrily,
“Hey! What are you planning now Discord? We’re trying to…” before she could finish though Discord stretched over pressing his finger against her mouth and shushing her.
“Trust me Twilight, you’re not going to want to interrupt this part…” Discord teased. Shining cleared his throat and turned to face Cadence holding her hooves in his,
“Cadence, you’ve been such an amazing mare ever since I met you. That day when I lost track of Twilight and first saw you playing with her while she waited for me was a special day unlike any other for me, because it would be the first of many other days that I would get to spend with you. I’ve always loved you Cadence, and I hope that you’ve always felt the same way about me. Which is why I want to spend even more days together with you, now and forever…”
Shining said, before he knelt down in front of Cadence. His horn glowed and a small velvet box levitated up between the two before opening to reveal the engagement pendant that had his and Cadence’s cutie marks.
Every pony watching gasped in awe at this sudden surprise as Shining looked up and asked. “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, will you marry?” A sudden hush fell over the pier before Cadence suddenly leaned down and kissed Shining on the mouth before slowly pulling away and saying with a love struck smile,
“Yes...”