Twilight sat in the metal cage, her head hung low, the soldiers carrying it off the airship. She looked up to see Tempest walking ahead of her as they marched back into Canterlot. Everything looked so different now, the skies were black with storm clouds, the buildings and castle in disarray, and flags with the Storm King’s mark everywhere. But what hurt the most was seeing all the ponies chained and caged everywhere, she was supposed to get help, she was supposed to save them all. But Twilight failed she thought, she found the children of the night like her Aunt had asked her to but then she put her friends before her goal again. This was just like Rarity and Nightmare all over again she thought, and she knew every pony would hate her for it all over again. Twilight’s ear perked up as she heard voices call out to her, she looked up to see Shining and Sunset across the way both locked up. Sunset had her front hooves leaning against her cage, a saddened and concerned look on her face. Shining was desperately trying to break free at the sight of his little sister in danger, but stopped when he saw the look on her face. Twilight’s eyes teared up and she couldn’t bring herself to look at them, the guards carried her cage into the castle. Tempest led them into the throne room where the other alicorns were, still turned to stone and frozen in place. Twilight’s eyes went wide as she saw the three of them, Cadence, her aunt, and her mother all petrified and helpless. The guards dropped the cage down across Cadence and Luna, Twilight now facing towards Celestia. Tempest walked over and glared at Twilight,
“Grubber, go inform the Storm King. We have all the alicorns now.” she said. The sound of footsteps caught both their attention though,
“Oh, I already know Tempest. I gotta admit, I honestly didn’t think you’d be able to catch her. Seemed like she was the one who got away, but here she is right next to all the others.” the Storm King announced as he entered the throne room.
Celaeno steered her ship back towards Canterlot, Sweetie Belle sat next to Spike leaning up against him and smiling. Happy to see the little dragon again after everything that had happened the last few days.
“So how exactly did y’all manage to find us? Can’t say I’m surprised, since Tempest managed to catch up to us and Twilight.” Applejack asked. Spike looked at her with a smile,
“We went to Ponyville and asked for help. Which, Lofty says she’s sorry. She told Tempest that Twilight went this way, but she only did it to protect her family!” Spike replied.
“That’s okay, we’ll get Lofty to make it up to us by bringing snacks to the big party I’m gonna throw when this is all over!” Pinkie said with her usual grin. Lullaby was busy running from side to side looking at the scenery around and beneath the airship, an excited smile on her face as she did.
“You alright there Lullaby?” Trixie asked. She turned and looked back at every pony watching her.
“Oh, sorry. I’ve just never been outside the valley or the garden before! Everything’s so new and exciting. And now we’re heading to Canterlot to save Twilight! I’ve only ever read about Canterlot in some of the old books in the library! I can’t wait to see it.” Lullaby said. Every pony looked at one another a little concerned,
“Well, damper your expectations Lullaby. The Storm King is there right now, and it may not be the way you imagined it.” Trixie said. Celaeno took out her telescope and looked ahead of the ship, sure enough Canterlot was finally coming into view and she announced to every one on board. Trixie, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Applejack, and Gabby all rushed to the front of the ship and could see the city ahead. The city looked almost ominous from where they were, the dark storm clouds looming overhead, and the airships circling the city.
“Okay, there’s Canterlot. But, does any pony have a plan on how we can get in unnoticed?” Trixie asked. They all looked back and forth at one another but no one really answered, but then Pinkie suddenly sprang to her hooves.
“Oh! Me, me, me, me, me, me!!! I have an idea!”
The Storm King marched towards Twilight in her cage, he leaned down to look at her scratching his chin.
“You sure she’s the last one? A little small compared to the others don’t you think?” he asked. Tempest stood looking at the Storm King,
“Yes, your majesty. She’s the last one.” she replied.
“Ah well, doesn’t much matter to me. I’ll still get what I came here for!” the Storm King announced as he walked to the center of the room, he raised his staff high and slammed it into the center of the room where a magic circle had been etched into the floor. The crystal at the end of his staff began to glow and instantly the magic began to drain from all four alicorns, Twilight grit her teeth and tried to back away as she felt her magic leaving her her, but there was nowhere to go inside the cage. When all the magic was finally drained the Storm King lifted his staff from the floor and looked at the glowing headpiece of his staff in awe.
“Oh, now we’re talking! With this kind of power, no one’s gonna stop me!” he shouted. Tempest walked up beside him,
“Your majesty, I’ve given you what you wanted now…” Tempest was interrupted though.
“Yeah, yeah, one second. Let me see what this baby can do now.” the Storm King said as he aimed towards Twilight. The crystal on his staff began to glow and in massive explosive burst he shredded her cage to pieces and blasted an equally large hole in the castle wall. The sheer force sent Twilight tumbling out and onto the balcony, her body was sore from the pain and she tried to get to her hooves but struggled. The Storm King walked past Twilight laughing and admiring the power he now held in his hands.
“Ha ha ha, that’s the kind of power that I deserve! I wonder what else I can do with this thing now?” he said. Twilight looked to see Tempest watching her, the mare took a deep breath though and walked past her determined to get what she wanted though.
“Your majesty, I’ve given you the power of all four alicorns. Now restore my horn like you promised.” Tempest shouted. He naturally ignored her though, and began to wave his staff left and right. As he did he saw the sun set and the moon rise on the horizon.
“No way! I can control the sun and moon with this thing now?! Ha, ha, ha, Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset.” The Storm King laughed and danced as he moved the sun and moon back and forth to his own amusement. Tempest finally lost her patience though and snapped at him.
“Storm King! You promised you would restore my horn, now give me what you promised!!!” she shouted. The Storm King stopped and turned to look at Temepest annoyed,
“Fix your horn? Really, you still thought after all this time I could do that? I never had any plans to fix your stupid broken horn. This was all about power! Getting the strength I needed to get rid of HIM!!! And once that’s done, I’ll have all of Equestria ripe for the taking! There’s no one who can stop me now!!!” he announced. Tempest’s eyes went wide the Storm King’s words hitting her hard, she grit her teeth and stomped towards him.
“You wouldn’t even have all this if it wasn’t for me! You’re too stupid to accomplish any of this all on your own!” she shouted. The Storm King didn’t take to be insulted lightly though and pointed his staff at Tempest, the head piece glowed and a massive burst of magic erupted out, Tempest countered with her own magic the two beams colliding and building in power before they suddenly exploded knocking Tempest back towards Twilight. The Storm King smiled at the two mares lying helpless before him.
“I think its about time for a change in the weather, don’t you?” he said before slamming the staff down and shooting a burst of magic into the sky causing the clouds to become darker and start storm with the force of a hurricane.
Celaeno’s ship had docked next to the Canterlot courtyard, she and her crew lugging a large wooden crate with the Storm King’s insignia printed on all sides. They made their way towards the castle without drawing too much attention. But when they reached the front entrance they were stopped by Grubber and a few guards.
“What’s this? Where do you think your going exactly?” he asked. Celaeno held up a clipboard and pretended to look through the papers attached.
“Party supplies, special ordered to celebrate the Storm King’s big victory. We’re running late though so if you don’t mind.” she said. Grubber stopped her again as she tried to pass,
“Aren’t you that captain who’s supposed to be making deliveries back to the Storm King’s castle? Not here? Little suspicious you’re here now.” Grubber said. The guards surrounding Celaeno and her crew took a few steps closer, weapons in hand. Celaeno was annoyed, this was a good plan it just didn’t get them as far as she’d hoped. Celaeno drew her cutlass and with a sturdy kick to the crate all the sides popped open to reveal the rest of her pony friends. They all sprang into action, Trixie zapping a few guards with her magic, Applejack bucking the closest guard with her hooves, Pinkie throwing pies (which no one knew where she got them), Gabby and Lullaby jumping on the heads of guards nearest to them. Sweetie Belle, Spike and Fluttershy quickly raced to the trapped ponies closest to them and started to release as many captives as they could. Grubber naturally panicked and ran for cover shouting for more soldiers to come and help. It was pure madness in the courtyard now as the fighting broke out. Spike and Sweetie Belle quickly searched around together,
“SPIKE!!! Over here!” a voice shouted out to him. Sweetie and Spike looked to see Shining and Sunset in their cages, a group of guards in the cages around them as well. The two ran over and Spike breathed his fire out weakening the lock on Shining’s cage enough for him to buck his way out. Sweetie used her magic on Sunset’s lock and managed to unlock it with pure luck. Once out Sunset and Shining instantly started to free more Canterlot guards, helping turn the tide of the fight. Between Celaeno and her crew, Twilight’s friends, and the guards that were released it seemed like they were going to take back Canterlot, especially now that Shining was leading the charge. But then Grubber returned, standing at the top of the staircase to the castle.
“Hey ponies! Give up while you still can! We’ve got you outnumbered!” he shouted. More soldiers came pouring out of the castle, and from the city surrounding them all. Canterlot had more soldiers but most of them we’re still locked up, slowly the Storm King’s forces closed in. Spike and the others soon found themselves all surrounded and trapped. Sweetie Belle hugged Spike tight, afraid of what was coming next. Grubber made his way through the soldiers and looked the small group of resistance before him.
“Ha, ha, nice try ponies but no one can defeat...wait, what’s that?” he said. Grubber suddenly went from confident to confused as he looked past them and to the sky. They all looked and saw what he was looking at, initially it looked like it was just a flock of birds but it was getting closer. The closer it got the more visible it became, and Lullaby’s face lit up with a bright smile when she realized what it was.
“It’s the Children of the NIGHT!!!” she shouted. Leading the charge was none other than Nightshade, all the other bat ponies following close behind him. They dove towards the Storm King’s forces and with a gallant battle cry he announced,
“For Canterlot! FOR TWILIGHT!!!”