Captured and alone, Twilight ends up in the hooves of Commander Tempest, having no choice but to make a deal that will change her life.
Warning! Contains spoilers from the movie, heavy clop and BDSM! Will also contain my view how Tempest could live in Equestria. Sex is not frequent, but will occasionally happen.
After recent events south of Equestria, Twilight gets captured and ends up in the hooves of Commander Tempest. In search for her relief, Tempest disregards everything around her but her own goal, but that might change. Driven by her personal desires, she offers Twilight a deal the young princess can’t refuse and will change their lives. When peace finally returns, will the offer make their life better or worse? Only time will tell.
Canterlot was seen in the distance, no shine left of its usual beauty. Twilight knew she had no chance to escape anymore, and Tempest had made her intentions quite clear.
“I’m so sorry you felt so alone,” she said, as Tempest stepped up onto the top deck.
“I saw the truth. My friends abandoned me when times got tough,” Tempest answered. She added bittersweetly, “Looks like I’m not the only one.”
Twilight looked away, unable to stand the hurt in Tempest’s words.
“Face it, princess,” Tempest continued, before turning away once more. “Friendship has failed you, too.”
“Friendship didn’t fail me…. I failed friendship,” Twilight replied silently, gazing sadly at Canterlot in the distance.
“Keep telling yourself that if you want, Princess,” Tempest snorted. “It won’t change anything that is about to happen.”
Twilight was about to reply, but they were interrupted. “Commander! Your chambers are ready and sealed,” Grubber panted excitedly. “Canterlot is only an hour away, but we could slow down and make two of it.”
Tempest smiled slightly, glancing at Twilight. “Good. Get her down to my quarters, Grubber.” Just as he went to do so, she stopped him with a hoof, her broken horn sparking. “If you let her get away again, you will take her place, is that clear?”
“Y-Yes, Commander!” he gulped, before quickly scurrying away.
“What is your plan?” Twilight asked. “I thought your master wanted to have my magic as quickly as possible?”
Tempest smiled as she leaned in close, gently extending her tongue to lick over Twilight’s muzzle. “Oh don’t worry, little one. It’s been only ages since I had a proper mare near me. We’re going to have some… fun.”
Twilight didn’t like the sound of Tempest’s laughter, as the dark mare slowly descended down the stairs.
Tempest was ready.
As ready as she could be, at least. She had no idea if Twilight would be willing to help her urges, but there were always the possibilities for small threats and wounds.
There was a knock on the door before it opened and Twilight was shoved in. Just one gaze into her face made Tempest giggle, knowing she would have so much fun with the young one.
“I have a small proposal for you, princess, if you’d like to hear it.” Twilight continued glaring at her, so she continued. “The Storm King will likely get rid of you and the other princesses once he gets your magic. I could… make him keep you, so you’d at least be alive.”
“And what, in your opinion, should that bring? Equestria would still be in ruins, destroyed by the power hunger of someone you follow blindly!”
“They deserve nothing better!” Tempest hissed back. “Friendship and parties? Don’t make me laugh! As soon as somebody is different, it’s all over!”
“You project the actions of two fillies onto all ponykind! I’m not interested in your proposal,” Twilight retorted, turning her back with a frown.
Tempest was about to lose her temper. As she slowly circled the young alicorn to get face to face with her, Twilight shrank back. The eyes of the bigger mare were unfocused, the remnants of her horn crackling with power. “I won’t give you a bigger choice. Serve me, and you will live. Refuse me…” Tempest smiled sweetly. “You know what happened to the little mole that thought I was cute. I will make it a hundred times worse for you. Maybe you die, but why should I care if you are a rebellious little pet?”
Twilight cowered further into the corner as Tempest drew nearer, the flashes around her horn getting brighter and brighter. “You will serve me, and you will do it starting now. There are no friends to help you, and your magic won’t be of any use. Resist me and you will suffer.”
It was obvious that Twilight was counting her chances, eyes darting from side to side until she sighed, kneeling down in front of Tempest. “I will do as you say. But what about my friends?”
“Serve me well and I will extend my deal.”
“Do you swear it?”
“Little princess. Friendship may have failed me and my soul might end forgotten, but I keep my word. I promise, should you serve me well, that you and your friends will stay alive.”
Twilight lowered her head, letting out a sigh of relief. “Then I am yours.”
“Excellent,” Tempest grinned. “Now, little one, you seem pretty young, even for a princess. Do you have any experience in the more fun things that can happen in a bedroom?”
“I… have read a lot and tested a few things alone…”
“That simply won’t do. I will tell you what to do at first, Twilight, and then you will proceed as you think. Do well and I might even reward you for your services, besides granting you your life.” Tempest paused before her eyes narrowed, her broken horn giving a small charge. “Fail me or try to attack me, and I will make you suffer worse than I promised. I give you this chance, so use it.”
“May I ask why you do this? I’m confused in why you would even make such an offer to me,” Twilight asked softly.
Tempest lost her composure for a quick moment before scowling. “That’s none of your concern, but after so long with just hooves and my horn useless to… please me, I long for the touch of a real mare.”
“I think I can understand that… dealing with heat while being alone can be quite bothersome.”
“Not to mention, the apes on this ship are only good for fighting and sticking their stuff into every hole they find,” Tempest snorted before turning, going over to her bed. “I trust that you won’t use your magic and are careful, now come over here.”
Still unsure, Twilight slowly walked over, watching in interest as Tempest slowly freed herself of her armor. She could simply watch as more and more of the mare’s body appeared.
“Like what you see?” Tempest grinned, one eyebrow raised.
Twilight blushed and turned sideways. “Y-you look really nice.”
“Thank you.”
As Tempest removed the cloth vest and laid down on the bed, Twilight gasped as she took in the cutie mark. “It’s the same symbol as the Storm King’s!”
“It’s not my real mark.”
“What?!”
Tempest sighed. “Alright, let’s make it quick. I don’t know what my real cutie mark looks like anymore. When he assigned me as commander, he used some trick to cover it up, making this symbol appear on my flank. I don’t know how, but it’s stuck to me ever since.”
“This is so interesting!” Twilight hopped up and to the bed. “I have to study it!”
Before she could fully jump on the bed, Tempest narrowed her eyes, the remnants of her horn sparking madly. “Don’t forget the position you’re in! Neither my horn nor my cutie mark are up for studying!” She took a deep breath before patting the place next to her. “Come closer.”
Twilight hesitated a moment, but silently came closer and curled up at Tempest hooves, waiting for what was about to come. The bigger mare just stared at her for a long time, and just as she wanted to ask what was wrong, Tempest finally spoke up.
“You know how to use your hooves. Now you learn to use your tongue, since I don’t trust your magic.”
“Uhh…”
“Really?” Tempest facehoofed. “Out with that tongue and get to licking!” Twilight still hesitated and she was slowly getting angry again. “Listen. I offer you the easy way. The hard way is to bind you down and just grind against you until I cum. And the deadly way would be to dispose of you after I had my fill.” As Twilight only remained frozen, pale, she sighed before tossing the pony on her back, hind legs spread. “Pay attention and learn. This is a once in a lifetime thing!”
“What are you doiiiIIAAAHNG!” Twilight tried to speak, but was quickly cut off as Tempest’s tongue sneaked her way down her marehood, gently teasing her. “Oh… wow…”
Tempest allowed herself a small grin, knowing full well this was a first for the young alicorn. “I’m surprised you didn’t learn any of this already, with the Princess of Love and the Princess of Night by your side.”
“W-what does that mean?” came the question.
“I’ll tell you some day.”
With that, Tempest went back to her task, serving her marehood with long, wonderful licks that sent electric waves up Twilight’s spine, making her squeal in pleasure. A squeal that turned into a long and deep moan as the bigger mare found her pearl, gently sucking on it while keeping her eyes on the expression of the younger alicorn.
It didn’t take Twilight long to cum, covering Tempest’s lower muzzle in her juices before she could align herself lower to drink it all in.
“Really sweet,” she idly commented. “But I hope you’re not done yet.”
Before Twilight could respond, she felt the licks turning back between her legs, this time doing everything but hitting the center. She whined impatiently, but a quick look proved her that it was about to get worse as Tempest slowly made her way up her body.
She continued on to her bellybutton, licking it playfully, which brought her an impatient glance, but also some chuckles. Twilight was really sensitive there and Tempest couldn’t wait to find more spots like this on her in the future. If there was a future, at least.
Tempest felt her pulse beat heavier, a warm feeling starting to spread. It was weird, but she pushed it aside. She had little time and wanted to get to her turn quickly.
Continuing over the purple body, she stopped at the chest to gently nuzzle the fluffy fur, then went up to Twilight’s neck. She could hear her heart beating frantically, afraid to have a mare like her near her neck, vulnerable to every attack.
She proved her right by gently licking over her neck, making her relax before she bared her teeth and bit slowly, but with enough force down, eliciting another orgasm from Twilight, judging by the fluids that hit her lower belly.
Twilight panted in desire, wanting more by this time, her view hazy and unfocused. Tempest chuckled and leaned in for a teasing kiss-
Just for the door to her cabin smashing open. “Commander! The Boss is calling y- oh my… I hope I am not interrupting?” Grubber asked, a smile upon his face that quickly vanished as Tempest stepped from the bed, anger clear evident in her face. “I… will tell him you’re busy, so just… continue here! Bye!”
Before he could leave, Tempest shocked him, unloading her built up anger and frustration into him, sending the small guy into the wall, where he crumbled to the floor, his small feet twitching from the electrical discharge.
“We will continue later, Twilight. Stay here.”
She cursed fate before slowly leaving her room and ascending the stairs, trying to calm down. There would be more than enough time to have fun with the young alicorn later. The Storm King wasn’t someone to keep waiting, after all.
Tempest was positively shaking in anger as she made her way to the deck. Not because she just got her so long wanted release denied, no. She would also receive a punishment as a bonus from the Storm King for making him wait.
It wasn’t too long before she reached the deck where the magical communication pool was stationed. The potion in the hands of the two apes on deck was already ringing.
“Pick up,” Tempest ordered coldly.
They opened the flask, pouring the contents into the pool, letting a small smokescreen emerge that soon contained the unamused face of the Storm King.
“Tempest,” he growled.
“Yes, sir.”
“You said three days.”
“Y-Yes Sir.”
“Do you want your horn back?”
“Of course!”
“Then why is the fourth princess not in Canterlot yet?” he growled, making her flinch back.
“She is on my ship, sir! We’re on our way! We-”
“We should be there in not even thirty minutes,” Grubber grumbled as he stepped onto deck, looking slightly toasted.
“What happened to you?” the Storm King asked, laughing. “You look like our dear Commander here used you as a candle!”
“She tried cooking and missed the target,” Grubber replied, a small grin on his face. “We will arrive shortly, boss.”
“What delayed you?”
“The Princess doing funny business and Tempest eating carpet,” he rolled his eyes.
“Carpet? Is she on a diet?” the Storm King asked, ignoring the anger evident in Tempest’s face.
“Really, boss?” Grubber muttered faintly before sighing. “Tempest here got a bit too friendly with the princess of friendship.”
“What?! Tempest, explain!” he growled, facing her.
“I made a small deal with her, your excellency. She is much more calm now, willingly in our hooves – and I get some fun as well,” Tempest replied before shooting Grubber a look that promised pain.
Grubber understood and quickly made himself scarce.
The Storm King sighed, before asking, “Tempest. Are you growing weak?”
“No, your excellency.”
“Friendship is for weak fools. You are my Commander! The most powerful being in my army, to be feared! Cuddling with a prisoner and enemy is not like you,” he said. “I trust this won’t continue to be an issue?”
“Of course not.”
“Good. Think about your horn and future. If you fail me… you won’t care about your horn anymore…”
“Sir. Another thing,” she hastened to add, “we found her at the mountain.” When the Storm King just looked confused, she added, “The pearl.”
“What?! Get information out of her, right now! If she managed to get them as allies, my plan could be ruined! Don’t disappoint me, Commander!”
The contact broke, the smokescreen vanishing, Tempest heaved out a long sigh before turning, her horn sparking strongly. “Oh, Grubber! Where are you? Come here my friend… we have to… talk.”
Grubber tried to create no sound as he snuck through the cargo bay of the ship. He knew, as soon as the commander found him, he would be in pain. Or worse.
“Grubber, my friend! Come out! We have to talk. I won’t harm you… much.”
He shivered as Tempest spoke the last word with such coldness, he could literally feel it, so he scrambled deeper into the bay, finding an unused box he quickly hid himself in.
Tempest made a few more runs before dropping her act. “You can’t avoid me forever, Grubber. Up until now, you might have been more scared of our King, but that will change quickly. I will introduce you into a world of pain for betraying me.”
She left quickly after that, making Grubber perk up before he groaned as two of the Storm Troops took position in the cargo bay. Of course, they searched every crate, box and corner, quickly finding him.
“Could you please let me leave?” Grubber asked.
He got a hiss and a grunt as answer.
“I know Tempest is your Commander, but I’m important too!”
Another grunt, this time lower.
“Hey, I am important!”
A low pitched growl.
“Yes, I know I always eat the cake you guys have, I’m really sorry-HEY!” he shouted as the creature pulled him up, glaring at him. “Okay, okay. You get all the cake you want if you let me leave!”
All he got was a grunt before the creature smacked him upon his head, rendering him unconscious. It would be a long flight for him.
Grubber woke up in chains. Heavy chains made out of metal. Looking around, he noticed that the cage with the Princess was nearby, Tempest standing between them.
“I am asking you one last time, Twilight. Tell me about the Hippogryphs and the pearl!”
“I can’t…”
“Twilight…” Tempest approached her, holding her chin up, her expression softening. “I really don’t want to hurt you. And I won’t.” She dropped her chin, the expression shifting evilly. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t hurt Grubber here. You are the princess of friendship, you value life as well. Maybe it will loosen your tongue.”
Twilight’s eyes widened as Tempest turned to Grubber, her horn sparking. Grubber tried to escape, but the chains held him tight. She came closer and closer.
“Hey, T-tempest… you don’t want to do this,” Twilight softly said.
“Oh, but I want,” she answered before her horn touched Grubber and his world exploded in pain.
“NO! STOP!” Twilight screamed. “The hippogryphs banished me from their city because I tried to steal their pearl! They are not our allies!”
“Well, well, how interesting. Seems your heart isn’t as pure as you said,” Tempest smiled, finally ceasing her magic.
“My intentions were pure! I just wanted to save everypony!”
“Everypony,” Tempest spit down in disgust. “All you ponies think about are yourselves and as soon something doesn’t go as planned, it’s over.”
“That’s not true!”
“If you believe that, you are a fool!” Tempest stomped down her hoof, sending chunks of the ship's hull off. “When did Equestria ever help the other nations? You’ve seen the town of that cat. Equestria does nothing but plan parties for its ponies.”
Twilight looked down. “And if you believe that, maybe you are lost.”
“You have no idea-” The ship's horn disturbed whatever Tempest had to say and she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter, we’re there. I hope you are ready to share your magic, Twilight. Guards! Take her down and arrange a transport for her cage. Don’t let her escape!”
The two apes at the door grunted before picking up Twilight’s cage. Tempest did everything but look her into the eyes as she was transported away. No matter what she said, she really didn’t want Twilight to be hurt. If her plan was to be successful, the Storm King would just use her magic, but let her keep her life.
And Tempest would finally have her horn back.
She would do everything in her power to make sure Twilight survived.
The battle against the Storm King was quick, but didn’t go according to Tempest’s plan.
Not only was her horn still not restored, but she nearly lost Twilight. Too late did she realize her own greed in the matter. Wanting her horn back no matter the costs, she nearly lost everything.
While the others tried to calm Pinkie down and stop her from starting a new party way too soon, Tempest pawed at the ground, visibly uncomfortable. The list of her crimes against Equestria was long, and she knew it. As the song stopped, the party calmed down; she was unsure how to proceed.
“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked.
“I doubt they will just let me go. I helped you, but my crimes are dark and plenty.”
“I’m sure the princesses will see it like me. Everypony deserves a second chance, Fizzlepop Berrytwist.”
A silence lingered between the two while Tempest stared at the ground.“I think I might keep the name Tempest Shadow,” was the quiet reply.
Any further conversation was drowned out by Celestia, Luna and Cadance landing behind them. The squad of both Day and Night Guards that landed as well did nothing to ease Tempest’s worries.
“Tempest Shadow…” Celestia started, but Twilight cut her off.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“We can’t simply overlook everything,” Luna replied.
“Why not?”
Cadance sighed. “She did bad things, Twily. Terrible things. She has to answer for them.”
“You can’t do that! She helped us!” Twilight stood in front of Tempest, wings flared wide. “She showed me that she can be a good pony! She didn’t hurt me once!”
“Please, Twilight. Get out of the way,” Celestia hung her head, nodding to the guards.
“NO! If she has to be punished, you’ll have to punish me as well!” Twilight screamed, blocking the guards.
Luna cocked her head. “For… what?”
“I stole the pearl of the hippogryphs. I did many things I’m not proud of and hurt others. If she has to pay for her crimes, I have to as well.”
“We cannot prosecute a Princess of Equestria,” Luna slowly replied. “Please, Twilight.”
“I get the same treatment or you won’t lay a hoof on her! I protect my friends!”
The princesses as well as the guard stepped back as Twilight’s horn started to glow, even her friends keeping some distance.
“Twilight. Surely you must be joking! Has she really corrupted your mind so badly? We beg thee, as a friend!” Luna pleaded, but Twilight shook her head.
“She will not be harmed. She will come with me to my castle. I will take responsibility for her actions.”
There was silence for several moments before Cadance stepped forward, smiling sadly. Twilight readied herself but all her former foalsitter did was approach her and lay a calming wing on her back. “I’m afraid I can understand Twilight. Discord was allowed freedom because he was useful and helped us. Starlight and Trixie were allowed the same because they redeemed themselves under Twilight’s advice and tutelage. We’ve already overlooked several beings because of their service to Equestria, who would we be to deny the same to Tempest?”
“I think she’s right,” Celestia whispered after she recovered from the quick shock.
“What?” Luna whirled to her. “You cannot be serious, sister!”
“We can’t do this to her, or we would have to dole punishments to all of them. You know Twilight, Luna. Once her mind is set, she never backs off.”
“But… Sister! This is not right!”
“Leave them be,” Celestia sighed before turning to the guards. “Captain?” A pale-blue mare saluted, stepping forward. “You are dismissed. Tempest Shadow will not be detained.”
“Are you sure that is… wise, Princess?”
Twilight’s eyes widened slightly as she noticed the fangs and the eyes. The batpony gave her a side glance, her main attention staying on Celestia.
“I’m not sure yet, but I trust Twilight. You are dismissed, Moon Shield”
Twilight actually released the breath she was holding as the guards took off one after another. But as Celestia approached her, she quickly tensed up again.
“You will be responsible for her, Twilight. As long as you keep her reigned in and can make a better pony out of her, I will not detain her.” Celestia sighed before turning to look back at her fellow princesses. “Sister, we’re leaving. We have much to discuss.”
Luna stood stock still. Only as Celestia lifted into the air, did she move. She stole a hateful glance at Tempest before she followed her sister.
“I don’t think Princess Luna likes me. This means trouble,” Tempest whispered, while Twilight sighed in relief.
“She won’t do anything. I might be a newer and younger princess compared to them, but friendship is my forte, as is Ponyville. She won’t harm you, but I suggest staying away from Canterlot for a while.”
“Ah’m mighty sorry, Twilight, but Luna is kinda right,” Applejack cut in.
Dash nodded. “While it’s awesome that she helped us, she was the reason for our little… adventure and every single problem!”
“They’re right, darling,” Rarity butted in as well. “She’s got a lot to do to make up for all of this... uncouthness.”
“Her name is the best. Name. Ever!” Pinkie smiled.
“What?!”
“Just saying,” she shrugged, still smiling.
“That didn’t make a lick o’ bit of sense, but whatever, Sugarcube. Just sayin’ she ain’t right by my book.”
With that last sentence, Applejack turned around and left.
“I’m sorry,” Rarity added before leaving as well.
“I’ve got something left to do, see ya later,” Rainbow awkwardly scratched her head before shooting off.
“Well, that went splendid,” Tempest sarcastically said, head hanging low. “Not even your friends will forgive me.”
She looked up as she felt a hoof on her shoulder, Twilight smiling at her. “I forgive you.”
“I...I forgive you too,” Fluttershy whispered. “You are a good pony!”
“And I forgive you three!” Pinkie giggled and Tempest just stared. “What?! Why are you looking at me that way?”
“Tempest, ignore that. It’s just Pinkie being Pinkie, you’ll know soon enough,” the alicorn laughed, shaking her head.
“So what do we do now?”
Twilight stopped, humming. “Our train back to Ponyville leaves tomorrow morning, and you will come with me. I’ll set you up with a room at my castle, Celestia knows I have way too many of them unused. But for today, you will stay with me at my old tower.”
“Princess!” They both turned as a guard ran toward them, slightly out of breath. “One of the ships that was anchored broke away! The creatures of the Storm King got free and all boarded the ship. It’s picking up speed and trying to get away!”
Tempest facehooved and groaned. “Grubber. He’s the only one besides the Commanders and Captains who knows how to run one of our ships. And since Celestia imprisoned everyone but me, I guess he’s trying to get away.”
“Inform the other princesses! We have to stop that ship!” Twilight said before turning to Tempest. “What can you tell me about the ship?”
“They have a hull that is resistant to most magic, cold and lightning. However, if you attack it with enough heat, the engines will shut down.”
“We have to find my brother…”
Celestia, Luna and Cadance watched quietly from the throne room as the ship slowly gained speed, collecting every Storm Creature along the way on its ropes. Pegasi that tried to follow were quickly shot down, and every spell the unicorns threw against it shattered without any visible effect on the hull.
“They are a remarkable piece of technology,” Celestia muttered quietly before turning as the doors burst open, revealing a heaving Twilight catching her breath.
“Princesses! Tempest told me how to stop it! We have to attack the ship with enough heat, then the engines will shut down or explode!”
Celestia nodded before turning, “Cadance, find your husband and give him that information. Luna, spread the word among your guards. That ship is not allowed to leave Equestria!” They both nodded before leaving the room, leaving Celestia and Twilight alone. “This might be a first step into the right direction, if her information proves true.”
“I believe her.”
“I know you do,” Celestia answered with a motherly smile. “Pinkie Pie made an interesting report. You are not as trustful as you once were. You are more cautious and I approve of it.” She sighed and looked out of a window. “Yet, I have no idea what to make of Tempest Shadow. She is a black dot in the light, swallowed by the shadows. Cadance stays neutral. Shining Armor wants her imprisoned. Luna wants her punished.”
“And what do you want, Celestia?” Twilight hesitantly asked.
She got a small chuckle as answer. “I want to see if you can reform her, repair her, no matter how it could end. Does that make me a bad ruler? I think she could be a valuable asset, not only for our military.”
“I don’t think the military is the right place for her, Celestia,” Twilight answered, before adding, “At least not at the moment.”
“I trust your judgement, Twilight.”
“There is another thing.”
“Yes?”
“I would like to access the forbidden section of the library.”
That made Celestia stop completely, her eyes widening. “And why is that?”
Twilight took a deep breath. “I want to help Tempest. Once she is reformed and proved herself completely trustworthy to everypony, I would like to help restore her horn.”
“Magic restoration is a long, difficult, and dark path, Twilight. Are you sure you want to risk it?”
“Once she is the Tempest I would like her to be, yes.”
“Twilight. I don’t want you to take any risks until you are sure that she is worth it.”
“I promise.”
That made Celestia smile. “Good. I will ensure that neither Shining Armor, nor Luna will interfere with your plans. And you can already access every section in the library, you are a princess. But I appreciate you asking me first nonetheless.”
“Thank you, Celestia:”
“I trust you, Twilight. More than once you’ve shown me errors that would never occur to me. You’ve shown me light on some of the darkest paths. If anypony can reform Tempest, I trust that it is you.”
Tempest stood by the side of Shining Armor, watching as the unicorns shot bolt after bolt of magical fire against the ship. She could already see the compartment with the engines glowing red. It wouldn’t take much longer.
“If my sister wasn’t so overly protective of you, you would be in jail now.”
“I know,” Tempest sighed.
“Or in Tartarus.”
“I know, trust me.”
“Why does she trust you?”
“Because I kept her alive. The Storm King wanted her cast in stone just like the other princesses – or dead. I hindered his plans for her.”
He looked at her for a few seconds before turning his gaze to the ship again. “For that you have my thanks. Still, it doesn’t change the fact you’re a criminal.”
“I know.”
They both watched as a loud rumble came from the ship before smoke started to emerge, it’s hull slowly starting to tip down to the ground.
“It’s going down! Follow and board!” Shining Armor called before setting to move himself. As Tempest followed him, he made a double take. “What are you doing?”
“Helping.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“How are you going to board the ship? It’s magic resistant, teleportation won’t work, and using magic on the ropes or the ladder is useless, they repel any spells.”
“That… that is a good point, actually,” Shining admitted, scratching his head.
“If you don’t trust me, trust Twilight.”
He just sighed. “I trust you can defend yourself?”
“Of course,” Tempest smiled, her broken horn crackling to life. “Twilight would be pissed if I died now.”
“I don’t know how I should feel about that,” Shining muttered back before following his troops, Tempest behind him.
They were nearly at the ship when it crashed down. The hull held, Tempest wasn’t surprised. The Storm King didn’t spare any expense in making his ships the best in the world. They may have lacked comfort, but they were more than suited against any foe. Except maybe dragons.
They spotted some pegasi falling down after trying to board and unicorns crumbling to the ground after trying to use their magic on the ship. Luckily, Tempest’s magic was an unknown, not reacting like usual magic would, so she could harm the ship.
Shining looked at her in fear for a few seconds as her broken horn crackled with power, before shooting a wide beam of lightning at the hull, slashing a hole right into the cargo bay.
“There is your entrance,” she sneered.
“Thanks, I guess.”
“If you find Grubber, a small, fat hedgehog, he is mine;” Tempest growled as she dashed to the ship.
She gave Shining no chance to answer as she approached the ship quickly and entered through the hole she created. A lot of the guards backed away from her, not that she cared.
Most of the guards were occupying the Storm Troops, others were searching the ship. Tempest wasn’t interested in either, she only wanted Grubber. There was the occasional ape that stood in her way, but they were quickly dealt with.
She knew where Grubber was. The closer she came to the main deck where the helm was, the more troops stood in her way. Grubber was scared, hiding, but that made her only more resolved in getting him.
“I’m coming for you, Grubber! One way or another!” Tempest screamed after she kicked one ape in his chest, heaving him down. “Make it easy and come out now! Maybe I’ll even make it painless!”
“I didn’t do anything! I’m loyal to the Storm King, just like you should be!” Came the reply from above.
“You little rat! The Storm King is dead, and you will be too!”
Tempest got rid of the last two apes before jumping up the stairs, looking around. Grubber cowered at the helmswheel, trying to make himself as small as possible.
“Please! We served together for so long! Don’t hurt me…”
“You betrayed me, Grubber. Thanks to you, Twilight got hurt.” Tempest stopped, her broken horn fizzling to life. “I will end you.”
“Think about it!” Grubber stammered. “You like that Princess! What would she say if you killed me? What would the ponies think of you?”
“No one has to know about this, Grubber. There is no one up here but us.”
Grubber whimpered as she came closer, her horn sparking brighter and brighter. She knew the dose would be lethal. Only once in her life had she used that much power. Now she would do it again.
She had to.
’Do it’, a voice in her head whispered. ‘If he gets back to the Storm Empire, he will lead the rest of the army and try again! Ponies will suffer! End him!’
Twilight would understand it. She would still try to help her, even if another bloodstain would be on her coat. She had to do what was best for the world.
“What are you doing?”
Tempest nearly turning to the new voice, but focused on Grubber. “He needs to die. He is the last commanding officer the Storm King had,” she growled.
“And what, prey tell, do you think will come from this?” Moon Shield snorted as she finally stepped into the light. “We capture him, and he will be detained and questioned.”
“That is not a solution!” Tempest snarled.
Moon Shield narrowed her eyes. “Then what is? Killing him? So everypony sees who you really are? That the princesses will detain you or even send you to Tartarus?” Softer, she added, ”That you will lose Twilight?”
That stopped Tempest dead in her tracks, her horn dying down, head hung low. Twilight was important, she couldn’t risk losing her, She was a mare Tempest could look up to. A touch on her shoulder made her look up, realizing unspilled tears in the corner of her eyes. It had been a long time since that happened.
“Step back, and let me detain this little guy. Let him live.” Moon Shield gently said. “Try to build a new life, the princess will help you, I’m sure.”
’KILL HIM’
She ignored the voice, staying quiet. A big part of her wanted to kill Grubber, and a smaller part warned her that she would lose Twilight.
Tears flowed down her coat as she left the ship, unsure of her actions.
Twilight groaned in frustration, as the last Guard left her tower. No new information. The ship was completely contained, the ship's commander had been taken into custody, and every object on board was confiscated. Yet, she had another worry.
Tempest.
She was gone. After the raid on the ship, she was gone, nopony had seen her. The fact that nearly everypony still distrusted her wouldn’t make things easier.
“What are you doing, Tempest,” she whispered before letting her head fall down onto the desk, sitting in silence.
No more news came in, much to her added confusion and fear. If somepony with bad intentions got a hoof on Tempest, she had no idea what would happen. She didn’t even want to imagine if it was Luna who found her.
“She’s dangerous; you know that.”
Twilight jerked up to see Moon Shield standing beside her. She hadn’t even heard the mare come in, much less approach.
“She followed the wrong pony for all those years;” she answered, not even about to question one of Luna’s Night Guards.
“That might be true, but her soul—her very being—is dangerous and evil,” Moon Shield continued. “That said, I have no doubt that she trusts and adores you.”
“What makes you say that?”
“She’s worried about you, what you’ll think of her. She nearly killed the commander of the ship, but when she thought of you, she hesitated, then let him live.”
“Are you sure she tried to kill him?” Twilight asked.
The batpony snorted. “I am positive. When I joined them, her magical output was so strong just being near her fried my hair.” Just to prove her point, she flicked a part of her light-black mane that looked positively charred. “She is powerful and dangerous.”
“So are Trixie, Starlight, and Discord.”
“Trixie is a show-joke. Starlight is nothing without her staff. Her magical powers might be strong, but she lacks finesse and creativity. Discord is nothing but a harmless pet at the moment.”
“I heard that!” a voice shouted from somewhere.
“Anyways, while I don’t think she would harm you at all, I can’t say that about everypony else,” Moon Shield ended.
“Then what should I do?” Twilight groaned. “Even now she’s hiding somewhere. That’s not helping!”
“She is still on the ship.”
“What?!”
“I can understand how the Royal’s were dumb enough to miss it. Her chambers are hidden very well, but she is still on the ship. Maybe you should go talk to her.”
Without giving any answer, Twilight teleported, making Moon Shield flinch before sighing. She was about to leave, but her eyes fell on an open book on the table Twilight was sitting before.
I don’t know what to make of Tempest. She is beautiful and dominant, and yes, even dangerous. But I love being at her side. She protected me all the time, never hurt me, and our activities on the ship still makes me feel warm. I don’t know if it is possible, but I hope she agrees to teach me more.
“Oh my,” Moon Shield chuckled. “Seems like this will be more interesting than I thought.”
It was dark in her chambers as Tempest lay on her bed, trying to collect her thoughts. She had no idea what to make of her feelings and her hesitation, usually she wasn’t so weak.
“Does Twilight make me weak?” she asked herself silently, sighing as she had no answer.
Twilight made her feel good, she really liked being around her. But she also knew the young alicorn would clash with her. She was too good. Or maybe she was too bad?
Her thought were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. “Fuck off,” she sneered, not wanting to be disturbed.
The door still opened and Tempest glared in that direction, her gaze softened as Twilight entered. “I was looking for you.”
“You found me,” Tempest said before laying her head back down.
“Why are you here?”
“It’s the last thing I own besides my armor. And even that will be taken. Celestia doesn’t want me to wear it anymore because the sign of the Storm King is on it.”
“Did you tell her what he did to your cutie mark?”
“No.”
Twilight wordlessly walked over to Tempest, her horn glowing. She flinched, but the alicorn pointed her magic at her flank, enveloping the armor in a soft glow. As it died down, the sign of the Storm King was gone, replaced with Twilight’s cutie mark.
“I hope this is acceptable,” Twilight sheepishly said.
Tempest nodded, “It is. My mind keeps trying to wrap itself around the situation, but fails miserably. I’m used to following orders, leading troops, and waging war. I don’t know what to do now.”
Twilight hummed. “Whatever you want. Live your life. I can help point you down a peaceful road, but it’s entirely up to you to take that first step.” She paused, smiling at her. “But I would really love to have you on my side.”
Tempest avoided her gaze. “I hurt ponies, Twilight. I hurt a lot of people. I betrayed, stole, mislead… I murdered. I don’t know if I can simply turn my life around.”
She would have never guessed what came next. A soft touch on her cheek made her look back to Twilight, and then bliss. Soft lips met her own for a quick second, capturing her breath. It was over way too soon, leaving her speechless.
“Change is difficult, but it is possible. I would like to try and accompany you on your new path,” Twilight smiled gently. “Every single step of it.”
Tempest had no idea what to say. The kiss was the most surprising of all, but that Twilight was so willing to help shocked her a bit. Instead of answering with words, she did the first thing that came into her mind. Twilight squeaked in surprise as Tempest pulled her into the bed, coat to coat, before returning the kiss with far more aggression.
Twilight moaned into her muzzle, enjoying it as their bodies rubbed together, feeling indescribable bliss. Eventually though, they had to end their embrace, if only for a breath.
“I… I wanted to ask you something,” the alicorn asked silently after a few seconds. Receiving no answer, she continued. “Our agreement. I wanted to… I wanted to ask if we could hold onto it. I- I mean you teaching me!” she stammered.
“Why?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why do you still want this?” Tempest sighed. “I don’t think I’m the right pony to get attached to, Twilight. And what we would be doing could lead to that.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Twilight asked before shouting in surprise as Tempest kicked her off the bed.
“It is!” she growled, standing up from the bed. “Who do you think I am? For years I was a killer, a leader! I destroyed villages, raided towns! The princesses obviously hate, or at least dislike me! Why do you want to do this?”
Her voice went higher and higher, tears collecting in her eyes before she couldn’t take it anymore. Her legs buckled and she went to the ground, sobbing. “Why do you want to help me?”
“Because that is what friends do for each other!”
“We are not friends!” Tempest screamed. “I’m the enemy!”
“We are not enemies,” Twilight silently replied. “You’ve never hurt me, you protected me while I was imprisoned!”
“Just leave me alone, Twilight. Before you end up like most ponies in my way, or near me. Just go.”
“Tempest…”
“GO!”
Twilight walked out of the room, her eyes never leaving Tempest. Never leaving the wide eyes expression with her broken horn sparking madly.
She was broken.
And Twilight had no idea how to fix her.
“Twily?”
Twilight groaned, trying to ignore the voice of her brother, trying to ignore the continuous knocking of his hoof on the door.
“Twily, I know you’re in there, the guards noticed you slipping back into the tower!”
Groaning louder, she unlatched the lock with a flick of her horn before burying her head into her pillows.
“Twily?” Shining asked again, opening the door. Seeing his sister on the bed, he rushed to her. “Is everything okay? Are you hurt? Did she hurt you? I will have her-”
Twilight shut his muzzle with her magic before he could go on and glared at him. “Tempest didn’t do anything. Leave. Her. Alone!”
He stepped back, sighing. “Is that really you? Why are you protecting her so much?”
“Because she’s worth it.”
“Is she? I hope for your sake that she is.” he silently said before leaving.
Twilight let her head sink back into her pillows, letting out a breath she had no idea was holding in. She knew her brother only meant well by his words, but they hurt. Tempest was worth every ounce of help she could give her.
“Do you really think I’m worth it?”
The alicorn jumped as Tempest jumped in through a window, smiling sadly.
“I wouldn’t have said it to my brother if I didn’t mean it. Did you listen to everything?”
“I’m sorry. I remembered you mentioning your old tower, but as I arrived, Shining Armor was nearly tearing the door in half.”
“How did you get here?” Twilight asked in confusion. “I never told you where it is.”
“Captain Moon Shield pointed me the way.”
“Oh. How nice of her.”
Tempest snorted. “Yeah, after a dozen guards told me to get lost or they would jail me, she was a welcomed exception.”
“She also said you’re dangerous.”
“Nothing new.”
“Do you really not care at all about your image?”
“Twilight, it is the truth. I’m dangerous.” Tempest hesitated before continuing. “I learned how to steal, to mislead, to betray, to kill. It is who I am and I hate to say this, but I am not sorry for it!”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t change.”
“You can’t force change, Twilight.”
“Can we… can we leave the topic be for now?”
Tempest hesitated. She didn’t say all that was on her mind, but the way Twilight reacted, she was sure more would only hurt their relations. “We can. Got something else in mind?”
“One or two things,” Twilight smiled, patting the spot on the big bed next to her. As Tempest made no move, she rolled her eyes and levitated the mare over. As she carried the mare through the air, her magic worked quickly, removing the armor from Tempest and flinging it to the far corners of her room.
“Hey, let me down!” Tempest squealed, just to be dropped right next on Twilight.
“As you wish.”
“Little minx.”
“You like me better in a cage?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe I should put you in a cage.”
Tempest grinned before rolling over and on top of Twilight, pinning the mare completely down. “Remember, I’m teaching you, not the other way around.”
“Well. I guess it’s time for you to remind me of that?” Twilight asked, the smile on her muzzle mostly hidden.
“Am I spoiling you?” Tempest sighed.
“No. Tempest, I want this, for real. It is something new and back on the ship… you made me feel wonderful. The setting and the timing weren’t perfect, but a hoof can only do so much.”
“Alright. I trust you know what you’re doing. Are you ready to put your knowledge to good use on me? The only one to cum last time was you, after all.”
Twilight actually looked nervous at that. “I can certainly try…”
Tempest facehooved before rolling of Twilight, spreading herself ready on her back. “I guess an inexperienced tongue is still better than none.”
“Don’t be like that. Just give me time,” Twilight sighed before moving over.
“I’m impatient by default,” came the answer.
Twilight rolled her eyes once more, then leaned in, gazing at Tempest’s private parts. She was slowly getting wet. And angry.
“You can do more than just stare at it, you know. Now get that tongue to use before I-ahhh!”
Tempest was cut off as Twilight dove in, her muzzle caressing her labia while her tongue started lapping at her marehood. She was highly inexperienced, yes, but she seemed to make it up with her eagerness and willingness to explore.
The only problem with her muzzle slightly between Tempest labia was breath. Gasping, she pulled back after not even a few minutes, earning a glare from Tempest.
“Was that all?”
Twilight sheepishly smiled, but before she could even answer Tempest grabbed her and shoved her back, holding her against her marehood.
“Try again!” she growled.
Twilight pushed her muzzle as tight against Tempest’s marehood as she could get it before opening her mouth. Her tongue darted past her lips and slowly, if not awkwardly, began to lick up the rapidly growing wetness that was there. As she pushed past Tempest’s lips with her tongue and pushed in deep for a taste, her nose brushed against Tempest’s clit, shooting a jolt of pleasure through her body. The reaction was not missed by Twilight, who withdrew and repeated again.
Tempest’s hooves came off of Twilight’s head when she repeated for a third time, her own gasps starting to become audible. “Much better. But keep going! Harder!”
Twilight used her hooves to spread Tempest’s hind legs even further, allowing her more access to the mare. Every wrong lick, wrong touch, every time she’d stop to take a breath, Tempest would berate her. She had stopped attempting to hold Twilight in place though, and Twilight didn’t even notice. She could sense that Tempest was getting close, the movement of her body and the little tremors building in her flanks, she knew. And Twilight desperately wanted to please her.
Finally, Tempest’s hips bucked, her hooves shot to Twilight’s head and buried her in her marehood as she came. Twilight lapped up every drop as she was pulled closer. Finally, Tempest’s climax subsided, the mare finally getting the release she had needed. She looked down at Twilight with a smug look on her face.
“Well done. It was acceptable, but you need to work on your technique and stamina.”
Twilight was torn between disbelief that Tempest would be so cold like that, and a strange feeling of… desire. Desire to do better. To do as she was told and please her right.
“I will do my best to learn,” Twilight slowly answered, then squealed in surprise as Tempest pulled her close.
“I’m sure you will,” Tempest smiled as she held Twilight close.
Moon Shield waited patiently. It was nothing new to her. Royal Business always came first.
During that wait, several things shot through her head. What her Mistress did was wrong, but she had to obey. She had to obey and report everything, then strike once her Mistress deemed the moment right. Her personal feelings would have to come later, as always. She just hoped the youngest princess would forgive her one day.
“I hope you weren’t waiting long, Captain.”
“No, Princess. I have the information you wanted,” Moon Shield bowed.
“That is delightful to hear. I knew I could count on you,” Luna sighed before taking place in her throne. “My sister forbade me to take any action against Tempest Shadow, but I don’t trust her.” Hesitating, she added, “And Twilight is dear enough to me to warrant further investigation.”
“If you hold Twilight dear enough for this, why don’t you just ask her?”
“Watch your tongue,” Luna hissed, glaring at the mare in front of her. “Now tell me everything.”
“You are approaching this the wrong way, your Highness, but whatever,” Moon Shield mocked quietly. Then, louder, she added, “She is dangerous, that much is clear, but she will listen to everything Twilight says, that I’m sure of.”
“Keep your unneeded comments to yourself, Captain. Are you certain Twilight can control her?”
“Permission to speak freely.”
Luna hesitated, but rolled her eyes after a short moment. “Granted.”
“You are ignoring the facts and what your sister said, Luna!” Moon Shield glared at her, “You act solely from your heart, and it will bring you nothing but doom.”
“Noted. Something else?”
Moon Shield glared at her princess, Luna regarding her with a cold stare before the batpony bowed, quietly growling. “No, Mistress of the Night.”
Luna cocked an eyebrow at that. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“You said you have the information I wanted. I wanted to know how they stand to each other, how they both deal with daily situations. What you give me is an empty assurance,” Luna scolded.
“One that is accurate, my Lady,” Moon Shield replied. “As long as Tempest stays in Twilight’s care, there is nothing to fear.” ‘Despite the usual shenanigans from the Elements of Harmony,’ she added silently.
“Captain, don’t play with me.”
“And what do you think I should do? You ask something from me that gives us nothing but trouble! If Twilight finds out, you might lose her. If Tempest finds out, it could get bad. What do you think will happen if your sister finds out?”
“That is none of your concern.”
“Right. And why should I risk my coat for something that isn’t my concern?”
“You are insufferable,” Luna groaned, facehoofing. “Give me the information I wanted, Captain. That is an order!”
“Since it is an order,” Moon Shield growled, “they are bucking. Seems like they have feelings for each other. Report ended. I’ll take my leave.”
Princess Luna could only stare in shock as the captain of her guard spread her wings and left, not sparing her a single glance.
Tempest groaned, annoyed as the first rays of sunlight made their way into Twilight’s tower, disturbing her sleep. Trying to turn around, she found herself restricted and cracked an eye open.
The curse she had in mind died as she took her situation in. Sometime during the night, Twilight had snuggled up close and had not only captured her with her forelegs, but hindlegs as well, leaving Tempest effectively trapped.
Sensing her chance for some mirth, she strained her neck until she reached Twilight’s ears and gently started to nibble on one.
The alicorn tried to escape her teeth, but couldn’t do so without removing her hooves which she refused to, even in her sleepy state. A few seconds into the assault, she cracked an eye open.
“Did anypony tell you that you’re the worst?” she mumbled sleepily.
“Several times, yes.”
“Good. Now tell me why you’ve awoken your princess.”
“You are pretty good at that when you try. But being my princess or not, you occupy most of my body at the moment. Not to say that it is uncomfortable or bad, but the sun is already up, Twilight.”
That brought her mind into gear as she hastily looked up, just to see bright sunshine lighting the windows. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier?”
“I love watching you squirm?” Tempest answered with a smile.
Twilight groaned and plopped her head back down, earning another few nibbles from Tempest that made her squirm. “You are a bad influence.”
Tempest chuckled. “Always love to help my princess. Now get up, or you’ll fall asleep again.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Twilight sighed before slowly getting up. “What’s on the agenda today?”
“We will go to each crashed ship that is in range, destroying the magical communication pools so no one can call for reinforcements or inform the others about the death of the Storm King.”
“Don’t the pools get destroyed when the ships crash?” Twilight blinked.
“They are reinforced with magic and can survive such things, so it is better to check on them and be certain,” Tempest replied, while walking to the pile in the corner that was her armor.
Twilight watched for a few seconds as Tempest struggled with the light armor before she spoke up. “Is that really necessary? I changed the markings, but running around in armor won’t make everypony feel better about you.”
“And I don’t want to get hurt just because someone can’t reign himself in. Even the guards are doing more than just watching me closely, so I won’t take that risk.”
“Nopony would do that.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Twilight stayed silent at that, looking down at her hooves.
“While I don’t doubt your experience with friendship, you don’t have any experience with the world itself. Sometimes hate and mistrust can do bad things. Things you never expected from anyone.”
“What did they do to you to make you mistrust everypony so much?”
“I had to kill, betray, lie, and hurt others just to be safe. And I accepted it as my life,” Tempest answered. “Old habits die hard, Twilight. But I promise that I will do my best to change it.”
“That’s all I could ask from you,” Twilight hummed gently as she stepped closer and nuzzled the mare once she finished donning her armor. “And I have to admit, this armor really suits you. It’s... sexy,” she completed and looked down, a blush evident on her face.
Tempest sighed and leaned into the touch. “Thanks, Twilight. That means a lot coming from you, you know.”
A loud knock at the door made Tempest jump, quickly seeking distance from Twilight as the alicorn opened the door with a flick of her magic, only to nearly have a heart-attack as Celestia stepped in.
“Calm down, Twilight. I’m just here to talk,” Celestia chuckled. “I want to know what you two are planning now.”
“I can answer that, Princess,” Tempest spoke up, taking a step forwards. “Every ship of the Storm King is equipped with a powerful, magical communication pool. In the wrong hooves, they could lead to another invasion.”
“And what do you intend to do?”
“Our plan was to search every ship and destroy the pools forever.”
Celestia hummed. “I hope you remember your position, Tempest Shadow. While I have no doubt that you won’t disappoint my fellow princess, I warn you to not take anything from the ships without Twilight’s agreement.”
Tempest bowed her head at that. “I can promise that. The only things I want to acquire are my personal belongings from the command ship.”
“I… I have to inform you that it might be too late for that already,” Celestia sighed. “My sister destroyed everything she deemed dangerous on the ship last night and disintegrated half of it in the process. You are free to take a look, but I cannot guarantee that anything will be salvageable.”
“I have to try at least. Thank you for the information, Princess.”
“You are most welcome. I leave you to your mission then. My duties for Equestria, sadly, never lessen.”
As Celestia left, Tempest let out a strong huff of breath she didn’t even knew she was holding. A soft hoof on her shoulder relaxed her further.
“You did well,” Twilight smiled.
“Heh, I was pretty nervous but I think you noticed. I’m glad she doesn’t hold a grudge.”
“Celestia is always kind to everypony. Now let's go. If we want to check every ship today we need all the time we can get.”
“Hold it!”
Tempest growled as the two Royal Guards stopped her from entering the ship’s wreckage, two spears pointed at her.
“State your business.”
“I’m destroying the magical communication pools inside the ships, on orders from Princess Twilight,” Tempest replied.
“Likely story,” the left guard hissed, pushing her back. “Get lost before you can’t anymore!”
“Are you really, really threatening me? YOU?”
“Didn’t you hear me? Buck off!” the right guard added.
Tempest rubbed her temples, but stayed where she was. The result of it was a spearhead aimed for her legs, but she quickly dodged it. Stomping down on the spear, she ripped it from the guard holding it before clubbing him with his own spear down the head. As the other guard charged, she withdrew from him with a slight turn, just to buck her hindlegs in his chest, sending him crashing down.
She snorted as she looked at the two downed guards before worry started to build up. She shouldn’t have done that. Twilight wanted to join her as fast as possible after a letter held her up and she promised, she wouldn’t cause any trouble.
Downing two guards was more than trouble.
Gulping, she retreated backwards before bumping into an armored mass of pony.
“So, what do we have here,” Shining Armor spoke as he glared at her.
“They attacked first!” Tempest shouted, holding up a hoof in defence.
“And why would they attack you without provocation?”
“I wanted to get on the ship and destroy the magical communication pools like your sister ordered! They didn’t believe me and threatened me with their spears until they seemed to lose patience and attacked me!”
“I don’t believe you,” Shining Armor said. “You come with-”
“I believe her,” Twilight cut her off as she arrived. “And you should too, since you saw everything like I did!” she glared at her brother. “I can’t believe my own brother would use an excuse like this to imprison somepony!”
“Listen Twily, I can-”
Twilight cut him off once more. “I don’t want to hear it right now! Tempest? Let’s find that communication pool and destroy it so we can continue.”
Tempest bowed her head and followed Twilight inside, stepping over the two still-downed guards, leaving Shining with a blush of shame behind them.
“You are really lucky I was able to see everything,” Twilight sighed, once they were deep inside the ship. “Where is this communication pool?”
“We have to look for the airship registration, then I can tell you exactly.”
“Airship registration?” Twilight tilted her head.
Tempest chuckled as she began to explain. “Every airship produced by the Storm King’s shipyards has a registration number containing five numbers. The first two numbers tell what design it is, the third number tells you where it was built, the fourth number tells you its purpose and the last number, which regiment it belongs to.”
“Just how many of these things are there?”
“Well, we arrived in Equestria with twenty-five ships and left thirty behind, while another twenty were under construction.”
“So there might be fifty ships left that could attack anytime?” Twilight asked, her eyes wide. “We really have to talk to Princess Celestia again later.”
“There are a limited number of officers that can steer those ships. Without the Storm King, there won’t be any newly appointed captains, so the twenty new ships will lay dormant until they find a solution. That leaves us time to come up with a solution of our own, so heads up,” Tempest replied softly while she took the lead. “We have to go to the engine room for the number.”
“Are you really sure about that? It seems that anypony could fly an airship.”
“Not those apes, trust me,” Tempest chuckled.
It was a short and uninteresting walk until they reached the cramped engine room, most of the contents were destroyed in the crash landing. Still, the plate with a silver number on the wall was intact.
“Support ship class,” Tempest mumbled. “The communication pool is in the Captain’s quarters, but they are destroyed. I think that concludes this case here.”
“Please explain this number to me,” Twilight said before Tempest could turn.
“Well, thirty-one is the code for a support class ship. The four says that it was produced in Storm Harbour. The two indicates that it was used for supply transport. And the one here says it was one of the ships under my command.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome?” Tempest answered slowly. “We should get going. The next ship is my command ship. I hope Princess Luna left some pieces intact.”
They quickly learned that the pieces left weren’t much. The ship’s hull had multiple magical burns over it, which was itself impressive since it was resistant to magic. What was the most astonishing, however, was the giant hole in the side of the ship.
Tempest whistled softly. “Remind me to never get into a fight against Princess Luna. If she managed to overcome the resistance of the hull, I wonder what else she’s capable off?”
“Let’s see if there is anything left of your belongings, then we’ll take a look for the communication pool.”
They walked quietly into the belly of the ship and towards the deck that contained the hidden area leading to Tempest’s chambers. Most of the ship was a mess. Bits and pieces ripped out of it, mostly technology. Tempest had no idea what made the lunar princess think that a speaker for ship alarms would be dangerous.
“We are here,” Tempest sighed as they stood in front of the remains of what were her chambers just hours ago.
The hidden door was ripped out and the bed smashed into pieces, as well as most of the other objects. Sensing a bit of hope, the unicorn approached the small shelf, checking upon a small book lying on it. Despite some ashes and dust, it was still intact.
“What is it?” Twilight asked curiously, but Tempest quickly stuffed the book into her armor.
“Maybe I’ll tell you someday. I can promise you it’s nothing dangerous.”
Twilight only hesitated for a heartbeat. “I trust you. Is there anything else here?”
“Nothing of value to me, just a few books about the ships and the Storm King.”
“Do you mind if I take them?” Twilight asked. “We basically own no books that give us any information about those topics.”
“Feel free to grab whatever you want.”
Twilight smiled thankfully as she collected every single book in her magic, floating them alongside her and Tempest. “I love learning new things! And I’m sure I can find out a few interesting things from these!”
Tempest couldn’t help but laugh softly. After all, Twilight was still a bookworm. Even if, she had to admit, a cute one. “Let’s go see about the communication pool. It is on the main deck.”
Twilight practically jumped out of the room, books in tow. There was no doubt that she was happy to find new knowledge. Tempest was hot on her tail, following her through the ship’s hallway, up a set of stairs, and onto the main deck. She had no idea how Twilight knew how to reach the deck, but that thought was quickly wiped from her mind.
“Twilight, we have a problem.”
“What is it?” Twilight asked, looking up from the books in her magical grasp, just to gasp as she followed the unicorn’s gaze to the middle of the deck.
“It’s gone.”
Where once the magical communication pool had been stationed, there was nothing but a hole left.
Twilight just hummed. “Do you think Luna destroyed it?”
“No, or there would’ve been an explosion from the exposed energies of the pool. This pool was cut from the hull, stolen.” Tempest groaned and closed her eyes. “Why can’t this be easy for once?”
“Why would somepony steal this magical communication pool?” Celestia asked, her gaze never leaving Tempest as she wandered around the throne room.
Twilight and Tempest had quickly informed the other princesses about the case. The information was not well received.
“It can be used to contact Storm Harbour or any of the other cities under the rule of the Storm King,” Tempest explained. “And if they do, we could face a new war. It would be–”
Luna spoke up, interrupting her next words. “Twilight Sparkle, are you sure that you never left Tempest Shadow alone? Are you sure she can’t be responsible for this?”
The glare Twilight directed towards Luna would’ve been enough to melt even the strongest armor. “She is innocent, Princess. Isn’t it enough that my dear brother tries everything to get her thrown in jail; but now you try to as well?”
“I merely wish to look at every option possible. We can’t let–”
“Can’t let what? I’m sick of everypony acting like she’s a monster. Nopony in this room is without shame or a troubled past!” Twilight spat back, not even letting Luna finish.
Cadance raised her hoof.
“Love spell accident in Canterlot?”
Cadance lowered her hoof.
“I rest my case. The fact is nopony here is without sin, and just because Tempest’s are more recent than the rest doesn’t mean she is a bad pony!”
“She did everything willingly!” Luna cried. “It was neither accident nor forced! She willingly helped the Storm King just to restore her horn, killing and endangering thousands in the process!”
Tempest looked away with a scowl on her face. Even though she knew things were different now, Luna’s retort struck a chord. She sighed. “She’s right, Twilight.”
The reply Twilight had prepared for Luna was stopped before it even began. She stared at the broken unicorn with her maw open. “Tempest...:”
“I hurt ponies solely for my own personal gain. I ruined lives, families, entire villages, just to try and make myself whole again. But that’s NOT who I am anymore. You and your friends showed me I could be something more.” She snorted, before staring at Luna. “But YOU, Princess, judge not lest ye be judged. As a filly and across the reaches of Equestria, even I knew the tale of Nightmare Moon. But I don’t believe that to be you. Not now! But wasn’t that a choice you made? Even if the Nightmare overtook you, it could not have done so without you welcoming it into your heart. So I ask you, if YOU could change, can’t I?”
“You dare say those words to me?” Luna asked coldly, her eyes widening as she stepped forwards. “You, foal, know nothing of my past. Nothing of my pain! Don’t you dare try to compare us to each other!”
“That is enough, you two!” Celestia shouted, her stomping hoof leaving a crack in the floor. “This bickering won’t help us!”
“I am merely stating the facts and defending myself against this criminal scum, sister.”
“I said it is enough. Let us act like reasonable mares in this matter!”
Twilight snorted. “I’ve seen how reasonable everypony is over the last few days!”
“Twilight…” Luna started, just to be cut off by Twilight again.
“No, I’m sick of it! I can really, truly see that Tempest wants to change, and she is doing everything to avoid disaster. Why am I the only pony giving her a chance? What are you afraid of?”
“Twilight Sparkle, We certainly are not afraid of this foal!”
“Who are you calling a foal? I bet I’ve got more hoof to hoof combat experience than you!” Tempest cut in.
“Please, be calm,” Cadance tried to reason. “We don’t need a useless fight!”
Tempest snorted. “As if it would be useless. Without her magic I would kick her flank faster than she could react!”
“Please repeat that,” Luna growled.
“I said, I’m going to kick your flank.”
Before Tempest could taunt her more, Luna shot a beam of magic at her, that was halted mere inches away by a purple shield, dissipating the energy effectively.
“Sister!” Celestia shouted while Twilight growled at Luna, louder and louder.
The bubble of magic surrounding Tempest rapidly grew outward, quickly encompassing the whole room. Luna’s spell quickly died as the wave of purple magic passed through her. “Twilight… Sister… I… She… I couldn’t…” Luna sunk to the floor. Her magic and strength had left her, but not through any action of Twilight’s. Small sobs began to escape her lips, and a glistening appeared in her eyes. She began to weep.
“Sister, Twilight, I’m so, so sorry.” She bowed her head as she spoke between sobs. “I was so focussed on Tempest being everything I was afraid of I let my anger get the better of me. I am no better than she that I feared Tempest would still be.”
“I think we’re done here,” Twilight snarled. “Tempest, we have work to do.”
The two mares left the room, leaving two princesses with open jaws and one sobbing on the floor, neither sharing a glance back.
“Twilight?”
“Not now.”
“Please, Twilight.”
“I said not now.”
Tempest gently leaned into Twilight, nuzzling along her muzzle. The alicorn tried to stay neutral, but soon melted into the touch, sighing.
“It is cute and nice and all that you defended me Twilight, but don’t you think it was a bit stupid to do so against Luna?”
Sighing again, Twilight withdrew, trying to maintain some distance between her and Tempest. “I don’t know. I’m not acting rationally when it’s about you.” She stopped and turned to Tempest. “What are we? Friends with benefits? Lovers? Marefriends? I don’t know anything about those; I don’t know what to do…”
“I don’t know about it either,” Tempest answered, a slight blush on her muzzle. “Lovers, yes. Even simple sex partners here and there. But never more.”
“This is so frustrating! Every time I try to think about it logically and calmly, I can’t! I think about you and it feels like my heart is banging against my chest and my brain is shutting down. My stomach feels aloft and my hooves are getting weak! I can’t explain this, even after Cadance explained it to me a thousand times while foalsitting me.” Twilight stopped and looked down. “I know what it is, but at the same time, I do not.”
“Cadance foalsat for you?” Tempest blinked.
Twilight giggled daintily “She’s a lot older than you think. All the princesses are. Well, except me.”
“Really? You all look so young. Sure you didn’t already celebrate your thousandth birthday?”
“Hardy-Har,” the alicorn replied, cuffing Tempest with a hoof. “I’m twenty-three you jokester. I was nineteen when I moved to Ponyville.”
“I’m older than you…?”
“I don’t know? How old are you?”
Tempest mumbled something.
“Sorry, I didn’t get that.”
“Twenty-seven,” she grumbled louder.
“That’s not really older.”
“Still four years,” Tempest chuckled.
Twilight just rolled her eyes. “We should start looking for any leads. The magic communication pool was cut clean from the deck. What do you think?”
“That it was a unicorn.”
“Or a thestral,” a new voice cut in.
Both mares turned their heads as Moon Shield landed behind them, a soft smile on her face. “Twilight Sparkle, you really did a number on Luna today.”
“What do you mean a thestral? How could they do it?” Twilight asked, ignoring the comment.
In answer, Moon Shield flexed her wings, revealing the blades on the metal skeleton covering them. “Wingblades. I’ve seen the hole on the ship. It was definitely cut with wingblades.”
“So couldn’t it also have been a pegasus?” Tempest cut in.
“No. Wingblades for pegasi are rare, and are much bigger. That hole was cut with wingblades made for a thestral. I would think a mare; stallion thestral blades would have a larger overall pattern to them.” Moon Shield sighed and folded her wings again. “There is just one problem.”
“Which one would that be?” Twilight asked curiously.
“There are no known thestrals outside of Luna’s reign and guard. I’m pretty sure this was a Night Guard.”
Tempest snorted. “Why are you always saying thestral? I thought batponies was the correct term?”
“Only for fools that believe old fairy tales,” Moon growled back, showing off her fangs.
“So we are hunting a Night Guard?” Twilight winced. “Luna will be so happy…”
Moon grinned. “Well, not all hope is lost. We just need a list of all the thestral mares who were off duty in the last 3 hours. Because at the time Luna tore the ship apart, the pool was still there.”
“And that time-span leaves us with how many candidates? A hundred?” Twilight facehoofed. “This will be really hard.”
“Well, you have me on board!” Moon smiled. “It will be a piece of cake!”
“I have a really bad feeling about this…”
“That mare is weird,” Tempest stated, climbing the stairs to Twilight’s tower. “I mean, one second she says it will be quick and easy, and another she shoos us off to relax.”
“Maybe she’s just doing that because internal Night Guard business will be easier to look into on her own?” Twilight leaned in closer to Tempest as they walked, brushing her coat against the unicorn’s and teasing her flank with a wing tip. “Besides,” she said with a smirk, “are you really going to complain about us having some alone time to relax?”
Tempest frowned slightly. “I don’t know. Should I complain because a certain princess made a fuss about not knowing anything about her feelings not so long ago?”
“Well, alone time can only help me figure it out, don’t you think?” Twilight actually sounded hurt. “Not knowing about it doesn’t mean I don’t want to spend time with you or explore this.”
“Twilight,” Tempest paused and looked over at her. “This is something you need to tread lightly with. I agreed to continue this and to teach you. But that’s what this is. That’s all this is. You don’t even know what you want. Despite everything, I don’t want to hurt you with this either.”
“And you can’t tell me that this is only sex!” Twilight raised her voice. “Tell me straight into my face that this doesn’t mean anything! Tell me that there isn’t more!”
Tempest hesitated for a long time, the pair nearly at the door until she spoke up again. “It isn’t, Twilight. Right now this is only sex, and as long as you don’t know what you want it can’t be more, because I really don’t want to hurt you. Even with what this is right now, I’m worried this will be more than you can handle. That you won’t be able to tell the difference between feelings and lust, or between real and physical emotions.”
They stopped in front of Twilight’s chamber door. The alicorn’s eyes narrowed as she looked through Tempest. With a blast of magic, the door flew open and Tempest was wrapped in the lavender glow of Twilight’s magic. She was lifted from the ground and flung through the door and onto the bed.
“That I won’t be able to tell the difference!?” Twilight practically shouted at the unicorn. Tempest’s eyes grew wide as she was flung across the room as the princess unleashed her power. “Let me tell you something, missy,” Twilight quickly closed the distance between the two until they were muzzle to muzzle. “It doesn’t matter what you think I feel, all that matters is what I know is going through my head. And you do NOT get to control the way I think.” With her magic still pinning Tempest against the bed she leaned in and kissed the mare hard, biting her lip as she pulled away. “The fact that you have the… the… audacity to try and control my thoughts on this! This won’t stand.” Her magic quickly stripped the unicorn of her armor as she hopped onto the bed to stand over the helpless unicorn.
Tempest had never seen this sort of power from Twilight. She knew the mare as the timid princess who only stepped up in the most dire of situations. This was something she wasn’t sure how to handle.
“Twilight, I–”
“Did I say you could talk?” Twilight asked, her magic quickly shutting the unicorn’s muzzle. “I will show you pure lust, since that is apparently what you want!”
With that, Twilight abandoned any hesitation left, smashing their lips together while prying Tempest’s legs open, quickly filling the void with her own body, rubbing fur against fur furiously.
Despite still being both confused and surprised, Tempest couldn’t help but lean into the touch, letting loose soft moans that made Twilight’s ears perk up. An evil smile crossed her face as she leaned in and nibbled on Tempest’s ear. “That’s what I thought.” She leaned lower and bit down on the unicorn’s neck before pressing harder against the helpless mare. Taking her leg and rubbing up and down she pressed in harder. Tempest’s eyes closed as she moaned harder. Twilight’s magic quickly enveloped the drapes in her room and withdrew the pull cord. Slowly, she levitated the gold silk rope to the bed before wrapping it around Tempest’s forehooves and tying them together at the head of the bed.
The usually-dominant mare’s eyes shot open. “Twilight!? What are you doing?”
“Taking what I want.”
She kissed down Tempest’s neck to her chest, teasing the tuft of fur sticking out, before continuing downward. Tempest squirmed and fought against the enchanted rope with no success.
“What’s wrong? My little bird trying to escape? You wanted pure lust and I’m delivering it. Now take it like a mare!”
By now, Tempest had to admit that she had slightly started to panic. This was nothing like the Twilight she knew, nothing at all. This was a mare with no restrictions and nothing but sex on her mind. At all costs.
The lavender alicorn licked up and down her sex before leaning back up and rubbing her body against the mare. She brought her forehoof forward again and pressed into her as far as she could go, making the mare scream in ecstasy, a maniacal grin gracing her face.
“You are mine! I’m going to buck you so hard, you will–” Twilight stopped, ears perking up. “Did you hear that?”
“Oh fuck!”
Unbeknown to the two, not too far above them on a ledge, Moon Shield watched the two lovers with a fanged grin on her muzzle and a hoof between her legs.
She was nearly caught as Twilight pulled the pull cord from the drapes, making her lose balance for a second.
From Moon’s viewpoint, Tempest’s panic seemed to grow, trying to thrash against the bindings as Twilight used the pull cord to tie her hooves to the headboard. “Twilight!? What are you doing?”
“Taking what I want.”
Seeing the young princess so dominant, so aggressive, Moon had to admit it made her wet. A lot. Luna had always described the lavender mare as bookish and shy, and not very outgoing in new situations. From that description, it seemed unbelievable that Twilight was able to have sex at all.
Yet there she was, ravaging another mare easily.
“What’s wrong? My little bird trying to escape? You wanted pure lust and I’m delivering it. Now take it like a mare!”
Moon couldn’t help herself. At that sentence, her own hoof spread her lips, gently penetrating and smearing her juices around, creating the perfect lubricant to clop even harder.
Sadly, that created noises Moon didn’t notice at first.
But a certain Alicorn did.
“You are mine! I’m going to buck you so hard, you will–” Silence. “Did you hear that?”
Moon had no time to jump through the window. Uttering a quick, “Oh fuck!”, she was quickly pulled by a wave of purple magic, sending her crashing down next to Twilight’s bed. “Ow.”
“Moon? What the mppfffhhh!” Tempest asked, but was quickly muffled as Twilight shut her muzzle, glaring at the intrusive thestral.
“You will pay for that!”
Moon Shield gulped as Twilight’s magic enveloped her, restraining and pulling her up onto the bed. She had no idea of the consequences.
“Can’t we talk about this?” Moon Shield asked, her eyes darting between Tempest on the bed and Twilight in quick motion.
“I think it’s too late for that,” Twilight answered sweetly, but a groan made her turn around.
Tempest fixed her with a soft glare from her position on the bed, “Don’t you think that’s enough already? Do what you will with me. Fine. But this is going too far! What if-EEP!” She stopped with a yelp as Twilight lashed out with her magic, whipping her flank.
“Who told you to back talk to me? Be quiet and do what I say, maybe you’ll get a reward then!”
Moon Shield’s eyes bulged. “I know they always say it’s the quiet ones, but this is ridiculous.”
Twilight just smiled, taking her time to saunter in front of the bed and both mares. It was clumsy, but it made her intentions clear. Her tail was wagging back and forth, waving the scent of her arousal through the room.
“I thought this is what you wanted.” She turned to Tempest. “You wanted me in bed, to dominate me.” Then she turned to the captain. “And you wanted to watch us. I’m sure you were imagining that you could join us?” She stopped her saunter. “Well,” she said, staring at Tempest.” You will get both with two small changes. Our dear Moon Shield here will be the victim and you, Tempest, you will do as I say and serve me.”
So she wants to play... She can have that, Tempest thought with a chuckle before answering. “And why should I do this? I’m not just serving anyone.”
“Oh, you want me to prove myself?” Twilight asked, her horn starting to glow while she grinned. “I think we can arrange that.”
Before Tempest could react, she found herself tucking her head to avoid Moon Shield as Twilight grasped the other mare in her magic and flung her to the bed. Twilight wasn’t even breaking a sweat holding two strong mares down. If her sweet smile was anything to go by, she had only just begun. Her magic flared again and the drawstring from another window quickly wound its way around Moon Shield’s hooves, tying itself taut before looping the loose end through the headboard and back around, securing both Tempest and Moon together.
Twilight grinned, confirming her suspicions. “What’s wrong, Fizzlepop? Don’t you enjoy it?” Tempest growled loudly, her horn sparking, but that was quickly snuffed out as Twilight leaned in. “None of that! It’s time to reverse the roles, don’t you think? But I won’t back you into a cage, promise.”
“Twilight, you know I’m sorry for the things I forced onto you, so why are you doing this?” Tempest asked, sighing.
“Because I want to have my fun and I get to teach Moon Shield here a lesson. Don’t tell me you don’t want this,” she stopped and looked directly into Tempest’s eyes, smiling as the larger mare averted her gaze. “I thought so. Now, are you going to be nice and play with me, or do I have to punish you together with Moon Shield?”
“Me? Nice?” Tempest chuckled, trying to recover. “That combination is totally unheard of.”
“So punishment for both mares it is.”
“Wait!” Moon Shield cried. “I’m really sorry for spying on you, but it was by order!”
Twilight smiled and her horn lit up, magic gently washing over Moon, flipping her onto her belly and prodding her body for weak spots she could use. “Too late for that.” While she really wanted to try how it felt to be like Tempest, to truly dominate a mare, she didn’t want any of the side effects. All she wanted was pleasure and fun, and for that she couldn’t—and wouldn’t—hurt her mares. My mares, Twilight chuckled internally.
Moon Shield shivered as the magic touched her coat, but instead of the feelings she expected, of Twilight punishing her harshly, all she got was a soft tingle, along with pleasure whenever one of her spots was touched. Her wings were a weakness of hers, as were her hooves. She had no idea why her hooves, she was a thestral mare after all, but that was a thought she couldn’t give weight to today.
“Sensitive wings,” Twilight mumbled. “Not surprising, your dactylo patagium is really thin.” She continued testing the mare. “Oh my, your hooves too? That is surprising. But what should I play with first?” A fiendish grin crossed her muzzle. “I really can’t decide.”
She didn’t have to. Holding both mares down and prodding one of them at the same time, Twilight still had enough energy to focus on Moon Shield’s wings and her hooves. The poor mare could only watch with wide eyes as she tried to control herself during the assault.
“Please, mercy! It was all on Luna’s order! I won’t tell her a thing, I promise!” Moon Shield cried, but Twilight quickly closed her mouth with a flick of magic.
“Tsk Tsk,” Twilight grinned. “No more talking! And you won’t be telling her anything, trust me.”
The dominating mare quickly pulled down the curtain, the last bastion of privacy hanging over the window, and turned it into a makeshift blindfold. Wrapping it over Moon Shield’s eyes and continuing her ministrations on the poor mare’s wings and withers she could see the effect it was having on the bat pony. Her back arched, her legs straightened, and her glorious flanks lifted ever so slightly. As the mare leaned back into Twilight’s exploration, the rope tightened and pulled Tempest further towards the head of the bed and away from the mare she really wanted, making her growl.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t forget you,” Twilight smiled before turning back to Moon. “I’m surprised you don’t have a partner yet; at least not to my knowledge. Why wouldn’t a nice stallion woo you?”
Tempest had to suppress an eye roll as she laughed roughly. “She plays for the same team, Twilight. I thought that was obvious after her little stunt up there.”
The mare in question blushed, as well as Twilight. “I guess that is true, even if she could like both… Damn it, I forgot where I was!”
“About to let me go?” Moon asked, slightly moaning after Twilight hit a more sensitive spot. Said moaning turned louder when she didn’t let go, but only pressed harder. “That a no, then?”
“What do you think? I said I would punish you.” Twilight smiled softly, her magic enveloping Moon’s wings completely now. “I just never told you how or for how long.”
Moon Shield’s eyes went wide upon the sensation of Twilight’s magic on her wings, the warm feeling touching everywhere at the same time while adding pressure to selected spots. If she wasn’t leaking before, she was now, her mind losing its will to form a coherent thought.
It grew worse as she felt the same tingling touch on her marehood, and she couldn’t help herself. In a span of seconds, she came, her wings painfully stretching, letting out a loud moan as her juices squirted against Twilight who stood there in a bit of shock.
“Wow,” Tempest grinned. “I think you broke her.”
Indeed, the captain was on the bed, wings limp, hooves dangling relaxed, tongue lolling out of her mouth, making Twilight smile a bit. “I hope I didn’t go too far… this is a first time for me after all.”
“You did good, but I hope you didn’t forget about me.”
“How could I forget about the mare I want most?” came the question as the alicorn loosened the blindfold and bindings of the thestral. “I just want to quickly make sure she is okay.”
“I think she is happy and spent,” came the giggling reply back. “Don’t think she was used to that much.”
“Is that a good thing or bad thing now?”
“How about you come here and find out?”
Twilight gulped at the smoldering gaze Tempest shot her. With all her might, she tried to regain the reins, to think about pleasing her, that it wouldn’t be about herself today. “How come you always manage to make me weak in my hooves?”
“Because I’m used to ordering others around, and my time in the army hardened me in more ways than one,” Tempest sighed, her gaze softening. “If you’re weak, they eat you.”
“You mean that as a joke, right?”
Tempest laughed. “I’m not joking. You’ve seen the folks in the town you met Capper. They will hurt you or worse. In some places they eat smaller races if they can benefit from it.”
“Okay that is enough… I believe you… I don’t need to be sick,” Twilight shuddered. “And we shouldn’t wander from the situation at hoof, don’t you agree?” Tempest’s blush was all she needed to know. “Did you try to distract me?”
“Well, you see…” the unicorn slowly looked up at the cord around her hooves, nearly undone. “I just needed a few more seconds. Since you removed the cord from the captain, mine became a bit loose.”
Twilight narrowed her eyes and her horn lit up as she looked over the passed out captain, hoping the mare had what she needed. A quick search through the pocket of her thoroughly soaked uniform revealed special magic hoofcuffs.
“Oh no. Twilight, no. I didn’t sign up for this,” Tempest tried to rip her hooves loose, but the alicorn was faster, snapping the cuffs around her hoofs. “You gotta be bucking kidding me!”
“Do you trust me?”
“What? Twilight I said no!” Tempest growled.
“And I asked if you trust me,” the alicorn sighed back. “I want to explore this. Besides, you were the one that put me in a cage!”
Tempest blushed at that, averting her gaze. “It was not my decision. I just-”
“That’s a lie, and you know it. You enjoyed me being in that cage, about to be broken and yours to be played with.”
“And that gives you the right to do this? Ropes or anything light are one thing. Magically reinforced cuffs another one,” Tempest scowled. “Take. Them. Off.”
“But.” Twilight started to shrink back. “I just wanted to.”
“Take them off now!”
“I…” that was all Twilight brought up, tears dwelling in her eyes before the hoofcuffs came off, followed by a loud crack as Twilight teleported out.
“Oh great,” Tempest sighed, rubbing her hooves as she got up. “Maybe I should’ve explained why first…”
“That would’ve been a good idea,” a weak voice answered her, followed by some coughing. “Do we have some water here? My throat is killing me; she did good work…”
“It’s not a story easily told.”
Moon raised an eyebrow. “Why not? I thought you already went through thick and thin.”
Tempest walked away, tears forming in her eyes, jaw set as she tried to suppress the memories. “Because most of my scars are from that night alone.”
Five years earlier. Storm Harbour
Tempest hung her head in shame as she passed the giant gates into the city, the big apes at the entrance looking at her. They likely already knew of her failure. And all because she was too weak. Once through the gates, five apes stood in her way, fully armored and weapons at the ready. The head figure grunted at her, making her grimace.
“Yes, I’ll follow you,” was all she could say before they positioned themselves around her, forcing her to move with them to the Throne of the Storm King.
It wasn’t a long, nor a pleasant walk. The outer city was composed of military quarters, training grounds, factories and shipyards. The inner city fared no better. It was a city for war, not for anyone to live in.
“My dear Tempest. So good to see you,” the Storm King said before tapping his chin with a finger. “Wait, it is not good to see you. You failed. Do you remember what I told you would happen if you failed me?”
“Yes, sire.”
“And yet you are here. Without the ambassador and without the signed paper declaring me their king. I was looking forward to this! They even had those fancy steaming water baths. Apparently, they are so good for the skin, and a king should always be at his best.”
“It wasn’t my fault, sire,“ Tempest growled. “The captain didn’t tell me I had to interrogate the ambassador before taking him in.”
The Storm King scowled, getting close until he was inches from Tempest’s muzzle. “And where was the problem?”
“The ambassador denied any cooperation, and the captain wanted to torture him.”
“So what?” the Storm King asked, getting up and twirling his little scepter around. “Poking him a bit here and there... as long as he didn’t die, everything would be just fine!” He stopped the scepter to point it at Tempest. “But you failed. You chickened out, and he escaped. You. Were. Weak!” The scepter knocked against Tempest with each of the last three words. “WEAK! And I simply can’t accept that.”
“I’m sorry, sire. I will do better next time,” Tempest bowed down.
“Oh, I know you will,” the Storm King smiled. “Guards! Get her to the cells and notify the captain. He is to do to her what he wanted to do to the ambassador. Make sure she never fails me again.”
“WHAT? Sire, I owe you my life and you promised me my horn back. I will do better next time!”
“Oh I know, Tempest. I just want to make sure. Take her, I don’t have time for this anymore,” the Storm King waved, turning around and leaving a shocked and surprised Tempest to be carried away by the apes.
I can’t even defend myself, or I’ll never get my horn back, she grit her teeth.
Everything went by without a hitch. The guard transported her to the cells, putting her into a particular one where they could fasten her to hanging irons that were enchanted before pulling her up, making her hang in the middle of the room. The room also had a small smelter oven that burned brightly at her arrival. Before leaving, they stripped her of her armor and uniform before adding an enchanted iron to the base of her horn, making it more useless than it already was.
Great. I’ll never get my horn fixed in this pace
“Oh Tempest, so good to see you,” a voice called out, before laughing. “In chains!”
Tempest scowled as a big ape stepped into the cell, still laughing. “Roggin! You knew it wasn’t my fault! Why didn’t you tell me the goal was to torture him!”
“I love to see you squirm. I don’t like ponies and I don’t like you, Berry,” he said, and snickered as she scowled more. “After watching you for all those years training under the Storm King, I knew you would lose your head as soon as you were to hurt a civilian.”
“You played me!”
Roggin snickered. “Yes, yes I did, and it worked well. And now, I get to play with you, little pony.”
Tempest blanched as he revealed the cart behind him, stacked with heavy irons, blades, metal tongs, and various other tools. Roggin slowly sauntered over to it, gently prodding a few before he turned again. “I’m going to enjoy this. I was completely thrilled when the Storm King asked me to torture the ambassador for information, but then I let it go in favour of having you fail. Now look where we are! I can finally live my passion, and it’s on you! I always wanted to see what your little pony body can withstand, and we might find out today.”
“Look, Roggin, you don’t have to do this! We are both loyal servants of the Storm King! I’m sure there are other ways to make you happy! Please don’t do this!” Tempest begged while Roggin threw a blade into the fire.
“Oh, but I do have to. You see, the Storm King wants to make you the commander of all troops.” Roggin stomped onto the ground, scowling. “You, surpassing me and commanding all troops!”
Tempest gulped. “You can have that position! Unbind me and I’ll make sure you will get the promotion and not me!”
“I’m sorry, but that is not possible. You ruined everything I worked for all my life,” Roggin huffed, taking the blade out of the fire and approaching Tempest. “I will enjoy hearing you scream.”
No matter what she did, Twilight was unfindable. Tempest sighed. Of course, she wouldn’t be found if she didn’t want to be, and Tempest had covered every spot she knew, except for one important one. One she dreaded.
The guards all looked at her suspiciously, but let her into the castle and through the halls. Everything went fine until she stood in front of the throne room.
“Tell us again why we should let you through,” the left guard asked, really testing Tempest’s patience.
Growling, she put a hoof to her forehead before answering. “Because I’m the captain of Princess Twilight’s guard, and you will let me through to Princess Celestia because it is a matter concerning Princess Twilight. But if you want to explain to your boss why her former student is hurt because you didn’t let me speak with her, be my guest.”
She turned around and moved away, her hope faltering before the right guard stomped his hoof onto the ground. “Alright, you can enter. But no funny business!”
Tempest breathed out and turned yet again, quickly going through the opening doors. “Thanks,” she mumbled, trying to be as fast as possible.
“Tempest Shadow, I’m surprised to see you here. Is there anything I can do for you?” Celestia asked, immediately spotting her. “Is something amiss?”
“I’m looking for Twilight. We wanted to look more into the theft of the communication pool, your majesty.”
Celestia looked at her, the gaze not unfriendly, but Tempest felt as if the alicorn scanned her, revealing everything about the situation. “Is that all, Captain?” As the mare in front of her gulped and looked at her hooves, she added. “Tempest, you can talk freely to me. Twilight trusts you, and as my former student and now fellow princess, I trust her judgment.”
“I just don’t know if I can talk with you about that topic, your majesty,” Tempest sighed.
There was a pause as Celestia seemed to judge her. She had made her mind up quickly, because she waved a wing, then whispered into the ear of the guard that appeared. The guard’s eyes went wide in surprise, but quickly nodded and went past Tempest and outside. “Follow me, Tempest,” Celestia said, walking past the aisle before her throne and through a door to the side. With a confused look, Tempest followed.
After a few hallways, they entered a small study. Celestia closed the door behind Tempest with her magic before sitting down on a big cushion, motioning the unicorn to do the same. “Maybe this is a better way and place to talk?”
Tempest hesitated, shuffling forth and back on her hooves before finally settling down. The tenseness of her body, however, stayed. Seconds passed by, but after a long breath, she started. “I think Twilight panicked, at least her reaction spoke of it. She teleported away and I haven’t been able to find her since that moment.” Nothing forced her to speak of everything, right?
“This does sound like Twilight, even if those episodes are few and far between by now,” Celestia hummed, then smiled slightly. “I still can’t shake the feeling that there is more, Tempest.”
“As I said, I don’t know if I can talk with you about that. It is rather personal after all, but I also didn’t hurt her if that is what you’re afraid of.”
“No, I think you wouldn’t misuse our trust like that, even if my sister might still need time to come around.”
“She hates me,” Tempest growled, “and forgets her own past at the same time.”
“I don’t think she hates you or forgets her past.” Celestia smiled sadly. “It is more that she often rushes headfirst into situations, and since Twilight was her very first friend after her banishment, she feels especially strongly for her.”
“I trust this isn’t going to be a problem? I’m not above kicking her flank,” Tempest grinned with a raised eyebrow.
Celestia’s gaze suddenly darkened. “Do not underestimate her. She was responsible for our military in the past, and her battle experience never vanished. You might have surprised us the last time, but if she was to unleash her full power, you’d die in a matter of seconds.”
“I doubt that…” Tempest started, just to gasp as the room seemed to warm up. “What are you doing?!”
The temperature raised more and more, Celestia’s mane looking more like flames as she gazed at Tempest. “My little pony, never underestimate the power of your rulers. I am stronger than my sister, but only by a relatively small margin.” She smiled. “I am currently not even using a feather’s weight of my power. And Twilight’s raw magical power is even stronger than mine.”
“Got it,” Tempest gulped.
“Good.”
Slowly, the heat dispersed, and Tempest tried to relax, but it wasn’t easy. “Can I ask you a question, Princess?”
“Of course, go ahead.”
“You’ve been with Twilight nearly her whole life, right?”
“Not as much as I’d have liked, but her time as a filly in my castle was a dear one,” Celestia chuckled. “Why do you ask?”
There it was again. Tempest scratched her head with a hoof, trying to think of a way to ask. “How much experience does Twilight have when it comes to love and its… byproducts?”
There was silence. Before Celestia suddenly started laughing. “Byproducts? My dear Tempest, you should get the, how was the saying, military stick out of your flank. I’m not going to bite your head off, and you can ask me anything within reasonable limits.” The white alicorn laughed a bit more before wiping the tears from her eyes. “Aaah, but back to your question. Besides some small bouts of admiration, while she was a filly and one big heartbreak as an adult, I can think of none.”
“Mind elaborating on that, princess?” Tempest asked carefully, a bit irked by how she got the answer.
“As a filly, she had a lot of… let’s say crushes on a few colts and stallions. That passed fine enough until she found out where her heart truly lies.”
“With mares?”
“Well, I think she is more the type for both stallions and mares, but yes. Sadly, her first big love was a guard that didn’t care much for her. That particular guard thought it was just a crush and couldn’t see more in her than the bookish, adorable filly running through the castle’s halls, and in the process broke her heart.”
“So she got no experience at all,” Tempest growled. “That’s just great.”
“Is that such a bad thing to you?”
“None of it her fault, but mine. I simply don’t know how to behave towards her most of the time. Is it the right moment? Can I do this now? Should I stop? Is she ready? What is a relationship to her?” the unicorn groaned. “Lots of stuff I normally don’t worry about!”
Celestia’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Because you usually take what you want?”
“What?!”
“Don’t play coy with me, Tempest. Despite what others may think, Twilight did write a report about what happened. Since she said you bettered yourself and made me promise to keep it to myself, I thought everything would be fine in the future.”
Tempest was flabbergasted. “Is this what you call a friendly talk? I feel this turns more and more into an interrogation and pointing out of my mistakes and flaws!”
“I have to protect my little ponies, Tempest. And that counts for my fellow princesses, especially Twilight.” Celestia ruffled her wings, looking deep into her eyes. “I’m sure you can understand that even though I trust you, there is a certain limit to how far my trust will go, especially concerning your past.”
“And you could not tell me that in your throne room?” Tempest spat. “Why do I even come to you, worrying about Twilight, when all you do is play the two-face mother for her? On one side you trust me, on the other side you threaten me with your horn to my throat!”
“Because Twilight is a sensitive soul. She isn’t like you.”
“I don’t like that wording, princess.”
“I guess you will have to live with it.” Celestia hummed and suddenly, with a flash of her horn, a tea set appeared. “Now that my role as a guardian is done, would you care for some tea?”
“Are you bucking kidding me?!”
“Not at all,” Celestia smirked. “Despite what I just told you, I see that she likes you and will just sit back and see what happens. This was just the, ahem, stern parent slash guardian talk?” At Tempest’s look, she snickered. “Twilight was always like a daughter to me. Be grateful you got this talk from me and not Cadance or Luna!”
“Yeah, I’d rather not spend time on the moon…”
“Or being mentally manipulated by the magic of love. Those are always a mess to clean up,” Celestia sighed.
“...I’ll take your word for it.”
“We steered away from our topic. From the hushed whispers going around the castle staff, Twilight and you already have a more intimate relationship.” She ignored Tempest’s look and continued. “Am I right to assume that your matter connects to this?”
The unicorn looked away, a lone tear making its way down her cheek. “There is a matter in my past that… prevents me from enjoying certain things… I don’t want to go too deep into this, but Twilight tried to steer it into that direction and panicked when I told her no. I just couldn’t, it’s connected with too much pain…”
“What happened?”
“Princess, I don’t think-” Tempest started, but was cut off.
“Those wounds will never heal if you don’t talk about it, and believe me, I know what I’m talking about. A thousand years of pain is unforgettable.”
There was a long pause between the two, with Celestia worrying that she maybe went too far and too personal in this. She nearly missed the response, as it was barely a whisper.
“I was bound in steel and tortured.”
It was all Celestia needed to hear before quickly getting up and walking to Tempest, closing the unicorn into a deep, winged embrace as she broke down. She may be a princess, but she would be always there for her dearest ones. Tempest, as Twilight’s captain and partner, did count for that too. And she would lie if she didn’t sympathize with the broken unicorn.
After several minutes, Tempest calmed down enough to wiggle out of Celestia’s wings and the princess let her go. “Do you want to tell me what happened with Twilight? Maybe I can tell you why she panicked?”
There was another silence for several minutes while Tempest calmed down, in her mind multiple voices screaming about what happened, why Celestia would do this, and why she was so weak in this matter. She shook her head and tried to keep it as short as possible. “We played, and she took the dominant role this time, tying me with ropes… It was all fine until she went too far. I could feel the bile, the pain… the fear… before it was too much I quickly told her no. Twilight… she just asked if I would trust her, but I couldn’t with this. I told her no and to take them off. Well, she did and teleported away, crying.”
“So she asked you if you trust her, and you simply told her no?”
“Kinda?”
Celestia hummed, seemingly deep in thought and Tempest waited. Currently, the alicorn was the closest way she had to find Twilight. The waiting time seemed endless.
“It doesn’t make anything stand out that she told me or I heard over the years. Is there anything else you could tell me? Specifics maybe? I promise that it will not leave this room.”
“...”
“I didn’t hear, Tempest, please speak up.”
“She used magic reinforced hoof cuffs to bind me.”
Celestia visibly flinched at this confirmation, her gaze radiating empathy for the unicorn and she sighed. “Given what you told me, I can understand why this is a line not to be crossed for you. I still think explaining yourself would have defused the situation quite substantially.”
“Oh, sure, I will let you try and defuse a situation while it goes in a direction that triggers your deepest fears.!” Tempest snapped back. “Maybe a few thousand years eliminated your weaknesses, but I can’t forget things mere years in the past that fast!”
“You could have also set up rules before hoof. I think that is a common practice for that kind of play, but you’d have to ask Cadance for details… or Luna…”
“Princess! I mean no disrespect, but I’m trying to fix this and find Twilight, not be lectured by you for the next few hours,” Tempest growled. “I know there could have been better ways, but this was more of a spontaneous reaction. If you can’t help me find Twilight, I’ll take my leave.”
“There was something I wanted to ask you once I got the chance, and now is as good as ever.” Celestia spoke up as Tempest got up and walked to the doors, stopping in her tracks. “Do you have any idea what happened to Captain Moon Shield?” Tempest felt a cold shiver run over her back. “She was supposed to report in with her investigations on the mirror pool incident, but her report never reached my sister or me.”
“I have no idea, and I don’t think Luna or her guards like me anyway. May I leave now?”
She didn’t turn around, just standing in front of the door, waiting. If Celestia noted anything strange, she didn’t mention it as the door was washed in a golden glow before opening. Tempest didn’t even bother with anything more as she was dashing outside, her heart pounding in her chest. This talk was nothing like she imagined or feared, but it was strange and scary at the same time.
Now, where could she be?
It was prominent in Tempest’s mind, but at the same time, her body reminded her of how little sleep she had had. Deciding that using all of her energy up seeking an alicorn that didn’t want to be found was a fool’s errand, she made her way back to Twilight’s tower.
Just to run headfirst into a certain purple alicorn, currently trying her best to sneak out of the room.
“Tempest! Where were you? I was looking for you to… apologize,” Twilight said once she shook the shock away. “I’m sorry for teleporting away without saying anything.”
“It’s not your fault. I should’ve communicated more and better with you. There is a reason from my past why I absolutely can’t stand having my hoofs cuffed or otherwise completely immobilized…” Tempest sighed, avoiding Twilight’s gaze.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Tempest, but I know it’s not your fault. If I hadn’t panicked, then everything would be fine. I was so stupid and reacted while overthinking. I was scared that you would just leave me like everypony else…” She shuffled nervously on her hooves before continuing. “I am inexperienced. Very. Yes, I told you, but you don’t know that I tried to start a relationship before, and I understood the signals wrong, ruining everything… I don’t want that to happen between us, even though we said we don’t know yet what exactly we are! And it’s confusing me! I want to be more, I want-”
Twilight’s rant was interrupted as the unicorn pressed her muzzle against her own, drowning any rant that was still coming with a kiss. “Shut up, egghead,” Tempest smiled before nudging the alicorn into the tower. “We should sleep and worry about the rest tomorrow, alright?”
“But I wanted to see Celestia and ask-”
“Shush, Twilight. It is late and I’m sure Celestia will retire soon. Besides, I already bothered her. So, bed, now!”
“Y-Yes, Captain…”
Slowly, Tempest nudged her to the bed, only for the alicorn to slump down, exhausted by the day. She smiled upon the view and with a gentle tug from her muzzle, loosened the blanket before settling it over Twilight. She followed suit, wiggling under the sheets.
“Good night, Twilight.”
“Good night, Tempest.”
They soon found themselves in each other's embrace, smiles tugging at their muzzles as sleep took them. Whatever there was to explain or clear up, it could definitely wait till the next day.
They didn’t hear nor notice the dark figure spying into the room through the upper windows.
“That’s so cute I think I’ll get sick,” Moon Shield smiled before moving away. “And now to get chewed out by a princess because of a missing report…”
