Celestia stood on the balcony of the Canterlot castle all by herself, looking up in the sky at the sun. She soon heard a couple of hoofsteps on the balcony. The tall white alicorn turned around to see Princess Luna walking over to her. The look on her face said it all.
Celestia sighed, ''Still no sign of her?''
''I'm sorry, sister. We're doing whatever we can, but we still haven't found any clues.'' Luna explained to Celestia with a disappointed look.
Suddenly Celestia got a burning feeling inside her body. Her face showed a slightly angry look as she grinded her teeth. Luna could see her sister's eyes slowly turning blood red, along with her teeth getting a bit sharper.
''Sister?'' Luna asked as she placed her hoof on Celestia's shoulder, ''Are you okay?''
The tall white alicorn calmed down as her eyes and teeth slowly turned back to normal.
''I-I'm fine.'' Celestia quickly said with a worried look.
''What was that?'' Luna asked concernedly.
''I don't know. I felt something strange in my heart,'' Celestia explained worriedly, ''Something like......''
Luna widened her eyes when she realized what her sister was talking about.
''I know that feeling all too well, sister,'' Luna said in a calm and understanding manner, ''And I know how tempting it can be, but you must NEVER give in. Do not let what happened to me all those years ago happen to you.''
''I'm sorry,'' Celestia said while still looking worried, ''I don't know what's gotten into me lately.''
''It's okay, you just had me worried,'' Luna explained, ''I may have learned to control my darker half, but that took me a very long time.''
''I see,'' Celestia said, ''I just hope we'll find Skystar soon.''
''I'm sure we will, sister,'' Luna reassured her, ''And even if we won't succeed, Twilight and her friends certainly will, just like they always have.''
''That's exactly what I'm afraid of.'' Celestia responded.
Luna looked suprised, ''What do you mean by that?''
''It's not like that,'' Celestia quickly said, ''I just wish I could do something for Twilight and her friends for once. It was my fault when she and her friends had to go get help when the Storm King attacked Canterlot.''
''Don't blame yourself for that, sister,'' Luna reassured her again, ''It all happened pretty fast, remember?''
''Even so, as princess of Equestria, it's my responsibility to keep everypony safe,'' Celestia said, ''But as of late, Twilight and her friends have done more to keep Equestria safe than I ever have.''
''You shouldn't think like that,'' Luna explained, ''Princess or not, Twilight and her friends have taught me that there's nothing wrong with asking for help from other ponies.''
''I guess you're right.'' Celestia said before letting out a small sigh, ''But if something were ever to happen to Twilight or any of her friends, I'll never forgive myself.''
''I'm sure it will never come to that.'' Luna said with a comforting smile.
''Your highnesses!''
Luna and Celestia looked up to see a royal guard pegasus flying their way in an urgent manner. The armored pony landed right in front of them on the balcony.
''What's wrong?'' Celestia asked.
''I've just received some bad news.'' The royal guard answered as he got ready to explain what happened.
Thanks to Tempest, Twilight and her friends were able to make it to the air docks with little to no problem. They quickly hid themselves behind a big wooden crate when they noticed a group of grey pigs at a long wooden air dock. They all seemed to be carrying cages onto an airship, all of which contained frightened looking birds. Fluttershy could feel the anger boiling inside her with each passing second of looking at the poor little birds locked up in their tiny cages.
"We've gotta find a way to distract them and take that airship. It's the only one here." Rainbow Dash whispered.
"Perhaps I can charm them with my dazzling good looks." Rarity suggested while her hoof when through her mane.
''I don't think your looks are the kind that these pigs are attracted to, Rarity.'' Tempest explained quietly.
''Excuse me?'' Rarity said, sounding flabbergasted.
''Did you see how your face was drawn on those wanted posters?'' Tempest asked, ''That's basically how they see us.''
Rarity showed an irritated look on her face, ''Well, clearly these ruffians have never looked in a mirror before.''
''The point is, we need to come up with a different distraction.'' Tempest explained.
''I'll distract them.'' Fluttershy suddenly suggested.
''You?'' Tempest said while raising an eyebrow, ''No offense, Fluttershy. But you don't really seem like the type.''
''Oh, believe me. I am exactly what these bird snatching pigs need.'' Fluttershy said determinedtly.
''Okay. Fluttershy will be the distraction. The rest of us will climb aboard and take their airship,'' Twilight explained to her friends, ''If things go south, let us know.''
''Got it.'' Fluttershy responded.
''But what do we do if things go north-east-south-west?'' Pinkie asked the others quietly.
The pink earth pony got confused and puzzled looks from her friends.
''That means if things go nowhere.'' Pinkie explained in a quiet whisper.
Tempest rolled her eyes, ''They won't. Just stick to the plan.''
''I'll stay here and watch, just in case these pigs become too much for you.'' Rainbow Dash suggested to Fluttershy.
''Alright. Good luck, y'all.'' Applejack said as she and the others snuck to the other side of the airship.
''Let's do it. Be careful, Fluttershy.'' Rainbow Dash said.
''Don't worry, I got this.'' Fluttershy whispered while watching the grey pigs carry the cages onto the airship with a stern look.
Fluttershy jumped out from behind the barrels and aimed her attention at the two grey pigs that were just about to step on board via a wooden plank. One of them carried a giant bird cage on his back while the other wore a light green vest.
''STOP RIGHT THERE!'' Fluttershy shouted. Her voice could be heard all over the multiple air docks.
Twilight and the others were all shocked for a second when they heard the sudden outburst of the yellow pegasus, but quickly decided to keep moving. Fluttershy managed to get the attention of all the grey pigs on the long wooden air dock almost immediately. The grey pigs on board of the airship shrugged and just got back to work a few seconds later. The two pigs on the dock however, approached the yellow pegasus curiously.
''I was NOT expecting that from her.'' Tempest whispered as she and the others reached the other side of the airship.
''We don't blame ya.'' Applejack responded quietly.
With the help of Twilight's levitating magic, they managed to sneak onboard via a small window on the side of the ship.
''Hey, Timbur. Does that yellow pony look familiar to you?'' The grey pig with the large bird cage said to the green vest wearing pig.
''You're right, Tober,'' The grey pig with the light green vest responded as he took a better look at the yellow pegasus, ''Wait a minute. She's one of the ponies from the wanted posters! They're worth far more than all of these birds combined!''
''How dare you lock up those poor innocent birds in small cages and then sell them like some piece of property?!'' Fluttershy said sternly as Tober and Timbur both looked surprised at the seemingly innocent pony's unexpected attitude, ''You outta be ashamed of yourselves! How would you feel if you were locked up in a small cage against your will?!''
''Sheesh, pony. What's your problem? They're just some small birds.'' Tober responded.
''They are not just some small birds!'' Fluttershy said back, still talking in a stern manner, ''They are living, breathing creatures, just like any of us! And if you know what's best for you, you'll release those birds from the cages and go home this instant.''
''Are you threatening us, little pony?'' Timbur said, showing a little smirk before dropping the bird cage on the ground and grabbing a small axe that he carried on the back of his belt, ''Well, are you?!''
Every grey pig on board, all of whom carried some form of weapon with them, walked from the airship and onto the dock via a long wooden plank.
Fluttershy began to look a bit frightened and slowly stepped back from the oncoming pigs.
''Any last words?'' Timbur asked threateningly as he raised his axe in the air and towards Fluttershy.
Fluttershy gulped, ''Things have just gone south.'' She said as her eyes turned to the big wooden crate behind her.
Before Timbur could strike the yellow pegasus, Rainbow Dash jumped out from behind the big crate and used her back legs to kick Timbur in the stomach with full force, causing him to fly past the other pigs before falling off the air dock. The other grey pigs began to charge towards the two pegasi.
Suddenly they heard a loud sound from the airship close to their air dock. Inside the airship, Twilight had turned on the engine, causing smoke to come out from the back of the ship as it slowly started moving. The group of grey pigs stopped charging and looked behind to see their airship leaving the air dock. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash quickly used the distraction as an opportunity to fly to the airship.
''They're stealing our airship!'' One of the grey pigs shouted.
The airship began to fly away from the air dock, going faster and faster with each passing second. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash landed on board the airship just in time before it reached its full speed.
''Get back here, you thieves!'' Tober shouted from the air dock.
''Bye bye!'' Pinkie Pie shouted while happily waving to the angry creatures.
''Storm King's castle, here we come!'' Applejack announced from behind the steering wheel. She turned the wheel to the right with all her might, heading west where the island of the Storm King's castle would be. The grey pigs look on as the airship leeavs their sight.
The first thing Fluttershy did when they were away from Klugetown was head below deck, where the rest of the scared looking birds were still locked up in their little cages. One by one she opened the doors of the small cages, allowing them to get out of their small imprisonment.
''It's okay, you're all free now. Those meanies won't bother you anymore.'' Fluttershy reassured to the birds.
They all gave the yellow pegasus a happy smile, some of them even flew over to her and gave the yellow pegasus a friendly nuzzle.
Fluttershy giggled, ''You're all welcome. Now fly. Fly, my pretties!''
All of the birds started squawking happily and flew out of the small windows inside the ship. Everyone on deck watched the birds fly away to their new found freedom. Once they were gone, Twilight used her magic on the ship's engine below deck, lowering its speed in the process.
''That. Was. AWESOME!'' Rainbow Dash exclaimed to everypony on board, ''We just hijacked an entire airship!''
''Let's just hope they're not gonna raise our bounty for this!'' Applejack said while holding the wheel steady.
''Who cares?! Once we find Skystar and visit Capper one more time, there's no need for us to go back to that place anyway!'' Rainbow Dash explained.
''Don't count your victories before they happen, Rainbow Dash,'' Rarity said, ''We have no idea what's even waiting for us at the Storm King's castle.''
''I do,'' Tempest mentioned whille looking somewhat gloomy, ''You know, being that I spend most of my life there.'' She sighed, walked over to the starboard side of the ship and looked down at the sea they were flying over.
''Hey, Fizzy,'' Rainbow Dash said as she went over to the gloomy looking unicorn, ''I hope you don't mind me asking, but why did you join the Storm King in the first place?''
''Why do you wanna know?'' Tempest asked while looking a bit puzzled.
''I'm just curious how somepony like you ended up with that big Storm King lunatic.'' Rainbow Dash answered.
''We all are.'' Spike said as he and the others joined Tempest and Rainbow Dash.
''Of course, if it's too painful to talk about, we understand.'' Fluttershy reassured Tempest.
''It's alright. After everything I put you all through, you deserve to know.'' Tempest said.
''So, what happened?'' Spike asked curiously.
Tempest sighed deeply, "It all happened when I was just a filly," She began to explain, "One day while playing with my old friends, I lost my horn to an ursa minor. I struggled fitting in because of my broken horn and decided to leave my home town. That's when the Storm King found me in the middle of nowhere. He told me he could get me my horn back if I helped him out with something. And so, for many years I've been training with his guards at his castle until I was old enough to fight along side them, hoping that one day he'd restore my horn. But you all already know how that turned out."
''So what you're saying is that the Storm King practically raised you?'' Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yes," Tempest answered with a small sigh, "And I also owe all of you an apology, for the attack on Canterlot."
"Aww, there's no need for that, Fizzy," Pinkie said reassuringly, ''You were just following the Storm King's orders, right?''
"Actually," Tempest said while having a look of regret on her face, "Stealing the magic from the princesses......was my idea."
"WHAT?!" The four ponies and Spike all shouted at the same time.
"I know. It was a horrible and stupid thing to do," Tempest said as a look of guilt already appeared on her face, "But after I kept failing the Storm King over and over, I became so desperate on getting my horn back that I didn't know what else to do.''
Everypony on board stared at Tempest, causing her to look down with a slightly sad expression on her face.
''I'm not asking you to forgive me,'' Tempest said in a weak voice as she looked back down at the sea, ''I just want you to understand.''
Fluttershy walked up to the sad looking unicorn, placed her hoof under the purple unicorn's chin and lifted her head up. Tempest saw the warm, comforting smile on Fluttershy's face and couldn't help but feel a little fuzzy on the inside.
''It's okay, Fizzy. We forgive you.'' Fluttershy responded in a soft voice.
''What? Just like that?'' Tempest responded while looking sad and slighty confused at the same time.
''Of course,'' Pinkie Pie responded with a friendly smile, ''After all, you saved us from that scary green ball that the Storm King threw at us on the balcony in Canterlot. Remember?''
''I guess,'' Tempest said while looking doubtful, ''But does that excuse everything I did?''
''I say it does,'' Fluttershy answered, ''You may have made mistakes in the past, but you've changed for the better. And I think that's what is most important.''
A little smile appeared on Tempest's face, ''Thank you.''
''Sorry for interrupting,'' Applejack said, who was still holding the steering weel, ''But does that big island with lots of stormy clouds and a big black castle in the distance happen to be the place we're looking for by any chance?!''
''That's the one!'' Tempest said when she saw the giant black castle on a mountain filled island far in the distance, ''Head over there!'' Applejack steered the airship towards the island.
''Twilight, slow down the engine to lower the ship!'' Tempest commanded through the hatch leading below deck.
''Aye aye, captain!'' Twilight said. She used her magic on the engine, causing the airship to descend down towards the island.
''So that's the Storm King's home?'' Rarity asked as they got closer to the island, ''Not exactly what I would call a pleasant place to live.''
''Seems right up his alley to me,'' Rainbow Dash said, ''Just look at all those dark clouds. This place has 'Mr. evil dark overlord' written all over it.''
''Be careful, everypony. We're almost there.'' Tempest said as she noticed that they were approaching some of the storm clouds hanging above the island.
Eventually their airship flew between a huge gap between two mountains, barely fitting through as Applejack had to use every ounce of her strentgh to keep the airship steady. Once they made it through the gap, everypony onboard was greeted by a very strong wind, forcing them to hold onto something near them to keep themselves from getting blown off the ship.
''Rainbow Dash! Throw the anchor!'' Tempest shouted to the rainbow maned pegasus.
''I'm on it!'' Rainbow Dash responded before flying to the back of the ship, where she found the anchor. She lifted the piece of metal up with all her might and threw it off the ship.
The anchor hit the ground a few seconds later. It didn't take long before the long chain reached its end and forced the airship to stop moving any further. Everything on board started shaking wildely. Twilight immediately shut off the engine, causing the shaking of the airship to stop. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and headed back to the others above.
''Phew, that was quite a wild ride.'' Twilight said as she joined her friends, who were all standing at the port side of the ship to get a closer look at the Storm King's castle.
A giant symbol of the Storm King was carved above the drawbridge of the castle, the rooves contained almost nothing but large black spikes. Blue light was shining through the tall windows. And of course, many dark storm clouds that struck lightning every few seconds floated above the gloomy architecture.
''Eeyup. That's definitely the Storm King's home, alright.'' Applejack said. She grabbed a rope ladder from the ground, tied one end to a wooden pole and threw the other end overboard.
Applejack and Tempest carefully climbed down via the rope ladder. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Twilight, with Spike on her back, flew down from the airship while Pinkie Pie jumped off the ship and used her own tail as a parachute. Tempest looked surprised as she watched the pink pony float down to the ground.
''Trust me, that's nothing compared to some of the other things we've seen her do.'' Rainbow Dash said to Tempest when noticing the look on the purple unicorn's face.
''Ooookay.'' Tempest responded.
''Come on, y'all. The castle's not too far from here.'' Applejack said.
Tempest's eyes were darting around, looking for anything suspicious happning at the Storm King's castle.
''I got a bad feeling about this. Be on your guard.'' Tempest said.
''I always am.'' Rainbow Dash responded confidently. Tempest already went ahead as she and the others followed the purple unicorn.
Thunder kept coming from the dark clouds above the castle. The entire sky about the island was blocked with slightly less darker clouds, hardly allowing any light to shine through. Fluttershy looked around nervously, frightened by the thought that something dangerous could jump out from the corner of a mountain. The only thing she could hear that didn't scare her was the sound of Pinkie Pie bouncing close to her friends.
Right as Twilight and her friends were about to enter the castle through the open drawbridge, a group of storm guards appeared from behind the castle and ambushed them from both sides. They all aimed their weapons at the ponies, with their light blue glowing eyes entirely focused on them.
''Don't worry, we mean no harm.'' Tempest said to the storm guards.
''Tempest Shadow?!'' One of the storm guards said in a deep, growly voice when he took notice of her, ''What are you doing here?''
''They can talk?'' Twilight asked with a surprised tone in her voice.
''Silence, you!'' Another storm guard demanded as he aimed the tip of his spear close to Twilight's nose.
Before Twilight or her friends could explain any further about why they were there, one of the storm guards, who didn't wear a mask unlike the others, saw the scared looking Fluttershy standing among the seven ponies.
''Hey! I know you.'' The maskless storm creature who was looking at the yellow pegasus said. The rest of the storm guards all turned their attention to Fluttershy as well.
''Who, me?'' Fluttershy asked nervously, still assuming the storm guards wanted to hurt them.
''It's alright, everyone. Tempest is right. These other ponies mean us no harm.'' The maskless storm guard said.
The other guards looked confused at each other, but eventually backed away from the candy colored ponies.
''Care to explain what's going on?'' Tempest asked Fluttershy while looking confused.
''It's good to see you again, little therapist pony.'' The maskless storm creature said jokingly to Fluttershy with a friendly smile.
''Say what now?'' Applejack said as she and her friends all looked over at the yellow pegasus.
''Your yellow pegasus pony friend gave me a little peptalk during the battle in Canterlot,'' The maskless storm creature explained while looking at the yellow pegasus, ''It has really helped us open our eyes on life. We would really like to thank you for that, miss uh....what's your name again?''
''It's Fluttershy, Mister storm guard,'' Fluttershy answered with an endearing little smile, ''And I'm very happy that I was able to help you and the others.''
''These storm creatures sure are easy to persuade, aren't they?'' Rainbow Dash whispered to Rarity.
''Considering the lunatic they used to work for, I'm not surprised.'' Rarity whispered back.
''Why are you all still trying to defend this place?'' Tempest asked to the storm guards, ''You do know that the Storm King is gone now, right?''
''Of course we know,'' One of the storm creatures answered, ''But we now have a new king to serve.''
''A new king?!'' Twilight and her friends all said out loud at the same time.
''That's right. He ordered us to bring as much food to him as possible. We just got plenty from Kludgetown.'' The storm creature further explained.
''Kludgetown?!'' Twilight said in surprise.
''Food?!'' Pinkie Pie said with an excited smile.
''So you guys are the real food thieves!'' Spike exclaimed.
''Why do you care?" A storm guard asked.
''Because we are now wanted criminals in Klugetown thanks to you ruffians!'' Rarity responded in an irritated manner.
''Hey! Don't blame us, marshmallow pony!'' One of the storm guards said mockingly, ''We were just doing as we were ordered.''
''Even so, a beautiful lady such as myself should NEVER be associated with a life of crime! It is despicable!'' Rarity explained in a pompous manner.
''Calm down, everypony. If what they're saying is true, then it's not their fault.'' Fluttershy said to her friends.
''Thanks, Fluttershy.'' The maskless storm guard said.
''No problem,'' Fluttershy responded with a friendly smile, ''But um, could you maybe take me and my friends to this new king of yours? We would like to ask him a few questions.''
''I don't know,'' The maskless storm guard said, ''The king might not approve.''
''Pleeaaase?'' Fluttershy begged to the maskless storm guard in a soft, innocent voice while giving him the puppy dog eyes.
''Okay, okay. We'll bring you to him.'' The maskless guard quickly replied.
''Oohhh, she's good.'' Pinkie Pie said to the others with a playful smirk.
''But I warn you, I don't know how the king will react when he sees you.'' The maskless guard explained.
''We understand,'' Twilight responded, ''Just please let us see him, it's very important.''
The storm guards all made their way over the drawbridge. Twilight and the rest of her friends followed the storm creatures and headed inside the Storm King's castle.
The dark hallways were only lit by a few small candles hanging on the walls, making it hard to see where they were going. The storm creatures on the other hoof seemed to have almost no trouble navigating the place.
''Um, are we there yet?'' Fluttershy asked nervously, looking around the hallway as if she was expecting a ghost to jump out at any moment.
''Almost. The door to the throne room is at the end of this hall.'' The maskless storm creature responded.
Eventually the storm guards arrived at a tall black door at the end of the long hallway, which was illuminated by two yellow fire candles hanging on each side of the door. The light blue symbol, which everypony could immediately tell belonged to the Storm King, was carved in the middle.
''Here we are.'' One of the storm guards said.
The rest of the storm guards slowly pushed the two sides of the door open for Twilight and her friends, revealing a bright light shining from the other side. Tempest was the first one to enter through the small opening of the door with her eyes half shut. Twilight and the others soon followed her inside.
What Tempest saw at the other side of the room caused her to look flabbergasted with her mouth hanging open. On a tall throne, which looked like it used to belong to the Storm King, sat a dark grey hedgehog wearing a small crown on his head. She recognized the white mowhawk and the little black vest on his small body almost immediately and could not believe her eyes. The two storm creatures that were standing next to the throne fed him some grapes as if he was some kind of royalty. On both sides of the throne layed mountains of food.
''No way.'' Tempest said to herself, still in denial about what she was seeing. Twilight and her friends soon joined her and all began to stare at what they saw with the same flabbergasted look as Tempest.
''Seriously?!'' Rainbow Dash said.
''This has got to be a dream.'' Spike added.
''Let me check.'' Pinkie Pie said before she pinched the purple dragon on the cheek.
''Ow! What was that for?!'' Spike said in an irritated manner while rubbing his claw over the pinched cheek.
''Nope. It's not a dream.'' Pinkie Pie responded. Spike rolled his eyes at the pink earth pony.
The small hedgehog took notice of the seven ponies and the small purple dragon. He made a gesture to the storm creatures that were feeding him grapes, telling them to leave him be before turning his attention back to Twilight and the rest on the other side of the throne room.
''Tempest?! Well well, I never expected to see you here,'' Grubber said, showing a smug look as he stood up on his throne, ''But I bet you're pretty impressed by what you're seeing right now, aren't ya?''
"Actually, her real name is-"
Tempest quickly pushed her hoof against Pinkie's mouth before the pink earth pony could finish her sentence.
"He doesn’t need to know my real name." Tempest whispered to Pinkie while her cheeks were blushing slightly.
''Say, aren't ya that little hedghog who gave that weird speech in Canterlot before the Storm King's invasion?'' Applejack asked.
''Yes! And no,'' Grubber answered confidently, ''Because you see, back then I was just a mere little HENCH-hog. Hehehe, see what I did there?''
Pinkie Pie couldn't help but giggle at Grubber's little pun.
''But now I am the KING, baby!'' Grubber exclaimed proudly.
"How in tarnation did that fella become their king?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash quietly.
''Beats me.'' Rainbow Dash responded.
''Grubber, listen to me. This is really important.'' Twilight said as she walked towards Grubber's throne. She was quickly stopped by a pair of storm guards, who blocked her path with their giant spears.
''That's King Grubber to you, little pony!'' Grubber said in a overly regal tone.
Twilight groaned and rolled her eyes, "KING Grubber. I need to ask you something."
"That's better," Grubber responded as he sat back on his throne, "Alright, ask away."
''You see, Princess Skystar has disappeared," Twilight explained, ''Do you know anything about that?''
''Princess who?''
Tempest lightly slapped her hoof against her own forehead, ''Princess Skystar!'' She shouted in frustration, ''She's the daughter of the hippogriff queen on Mount Aris. Did you forget that time when we went there with the Storm King?!'' Tempest explained to the small hedgehog.
''Ooohh, her,'' Grubber said, finally understanding who she was talking about, ''Nope, I haven't seen her.''
''What?!'' Twilight said with a desperate tone in her voice, ''But you must have to at least heard something about where she could be, right?!''
''Nuh uh,'' Grubber said casually, ''Why do you care so much anyway?''
''Because she's missing!'' Twilight said in a louder and sterner, ''Don't you understand that she might be in danger?!'' She had stomped her hoof on the ground while small sparks of came out of her horn.
All the storm guards in the throne room took notice of this and kept their eyes on the purple alicorn.
''Of course I do. But here's the thing,'' Grubber responded as he laid back, ''I really don't care. Now if you'll excuse me.'' He ate another grape that was offered by the storm guard next to him.
Tempest groaned in frustration and walked over to the throne with an intimidating look on her face. Some of the storm creatures tried to stop the purple unicorn, but stepped back after she gave them a glare while lightning sparks came out of her horn. Tempest reached Grubber's throne and moved her head close to his, looking him directly in the eyes.
''Was it something I said?'' Grubber said while looking confused.
Suddenly Spike felt something trying to come out inside his stomach. Not even a few seconds later, he burped green fire out of his mouth, which immediately turned into a rolled up paper scroll. Tempest and Grubber both looked at the purple dragon right after he caught the letter in his claw.
''Wait, did he just......spit out paper?'' Tempest said with a confused look.
''Wow. Even my appetite is not that desperate.'' Grubber commented.
''It's called magical dragon breath, darlings,'' Rarity explained to both of them, ''That's how we receive messages from the princesses.''
''Makes sense, I guess.'' Tempest replied, still not sure what to think about that.
''It's a letter from Princess Celestia.'' Twilight said before she unwrapped the piece of paper with her magic. She began to read the words to herself for a few seconds. A shocked look appeared on her face when the words 'creatures have gone missing' showed up.
''What's it say, sugarcube?'' Applejack asked.
''Oh no.'' Twilight said, who's expression switched from shocked to desperate as she continued to read the letter.
''What's wrong, Twilight?'' Spike asked worriedly.
''We must go,'' Twilight exclaimed while still keeping her eyes on the letter, ''Now.''
Applejack moved her head next to Twilight's and looked at the letter, ''Uh oh, that's not good. We better get back to the airship and rethink our next move.''
''I'll catch up with you later,'' Tempest said before looking back at Grubber, ''I got some unfinished business with him.''
''Okay. We'll be waiting for ya at the airship. Let's go, y'all!'' Applejack said before she and her friends walked out of the throne room.
Tempest, Grubber and the storm guards all watched how Twilight was the last one to leave the throne room with her head hung low.
''You truly are unbelievable!'' Tempest said furiously when she turned her attention back to Grubber.
''Excuse me?'' Grubber said, looking surprised by Tempest's reaction.
''Listen, I don't care why or how you managed to convince these buffoons that you are their new king.'' Tempest began to explain.
''Oh, that's easy. You see, after the Storm King's defeat, and since you decided to join those ponies, these guys just didn't know what to do anymore. So I took it upon myself to take the Storm King's place and become their new king.'' Grubber explained before looking at the storm guards next to him.
''Seriously?'' Tempest said with an unamused look.
Tempest looked at the storm guards close to her. They shrugged at her in response, causing the purple unicorn to smack her hoof against her face.
''I'm surrounded by idiots.'' Tempest whispered to herself quietly.
''What did you say?'' Grubber asked.
''Doesn't matter,'' Tempest said, ''The point is that my friends need our help, and yet all you care about is food.''
''Who cares? I'm the king now, I can do whatever I want.'' Grubber explained confidently.
Tempest gave the small hedgehog a stern look for a few seconds, ''You're pathetic.''
Those words, coming from her, were all it took to shatter every ounce of self confidence Grubber had in him. Tempest eventually turned around and headed to the door leading out of the room while the storm guards watched her walk past them.
''Wait, where are you going?'' Grubber asked while looking slightly confused.
''To help my friends!'' Tempest answered without looking back.
''But I thought you hated friends. You told me so yourself when you-''
''Stop living in the past, Grubber!'' Tempest as she stopped and looked back at the small hedgehog, ''That pony you used to look up to all those years ago is gone!''
Grubber's look of confidence and ego slowly melted away from his little face, ''What do you mean?''
Tempest sighed and calmed herself down, ''I've changed now. And I was hoping that deep down you would've done the same. But I was clearly wrong.'' She turned around and walked out of the throne room as the door closed behind her.
Grubber sat back down on the throne as his small crown fell off his head, completely lost in thought and looking conflicted. A storm guard tried to cheer him up with some grapes, with little success as the little hedgehog completely ignored him.