> My Little Mages: Amicitiae Tempestate
>  by Foxhelm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Raining on the parade
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The city of Chantalot was abuzz with foot traffic was hustling and bustling with a wide array of booths, small shops, carnival-like games, etc, from all over Mystica. What should shock but didn’t was only the presence of the three races that found Mystica, the Earthborn, Skyborn, and Magicborn, but also a variable assortment of the nation’s minor races and residences from the neighboring ally nations. Among a few groups of the Skyborn were their nocturnal offshoots noted for having bat-like ethereal wings and noticeably larger canine teeth, the Nightborn. While among other groups were the harpies of Gryphonstone. Most notable of the harpies, was one that had gamboge brown wings, gold talons. She also had bright amber eyes and white feather-like hair, some of it going over her face with pink edges. The other had turquoise eyes and had dark blueish gray wings with her hair being of arctic bluish and cyan-ish gray. The later also wore a badge that looked like a heater shield that was purple, white and red in color with a darker purple shine rendering and a pink trophy.

On the ground amongst the Earthborn and Magicborn were Magicborn, Earthborn, and Skyborn that seemed to have a crystalline over-skin. Also, there were humanoid looking being that were slightly taller than most humans, most noticeable among them was one with moderate tangelo hair that covered his face with a beard with a golden band around it of a slightly darker shade as his hair. Also on his head was a set of large gray horns and a crown of black metal. Over his shoulders was a light green shawl over a grayish-blue shirt that went down to his knees with brown pants that went to his ankles with grayish-blue leggings with sandals that gave it an appearance of hooves. 

In addition to these more bruting looking humans were more eloquent looking humanoids, noted with pointed ears. Most notable among them was a man with eyes were moderate rose and his hair was a light rose. His clothes changed as well. His shawl became long open sleeves that were moderate blue-violet in color with dark fuchsia shoulders that was under an upper chest piece that was lime green and faded int bright gamboge in color with three light blue crystals. He wore what only be seen as lime green pants under an emerald robe and shoes that looked like their inspired by leaves in their design, and on his head was crown that looked like it was made of plant-life and resembled the antlers of a deer that was bright orange in color with some green. 

In addition to the three humanoid races, in addition to Skyborn, Magicborn, and Earthborn, there were also a few dozen dragons, some much closer to the size of humans, one or two closer to what most view. Most notable of the dragons was a blue-scaled one who also wore golden scaled theme half-plate armor. She was standing on her two hind legs and wasn’t be much different in stature than a woman in her mid to late twenties. She wielded a staff with a massive red gem at the top in her left talon.

Watching all this from one of the balconies of the palace were Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity. “Let’s see, clear skies?” Applejack asked as she looked at a list. 

Rainbow looked at the sky, “hold on a second.” she said as she bolted into the sky to a small cloud in the sky and scattered the cloud to it’s finest parts. She landed back in about a second, “Cleck!” 

Applejack rolled her eyes as she checked an item off the list. “Catering?”, she then gave a snorty laugh, as if it was ever a question, “Check.” Applejack then checked the item off. “Stage for Songbird Serenade’s number?” 

Rarity gave her hair a fluff, “Daring, this is me you’re asking me about.”

Applejack gave the enchantress a bemused expression, “Is it done or are still working on making it look perfectly fabulous?” 

Rarity groaned, “It’s done.” she stated, “Although if I had a little more…”

“And check.” Applejack cut her off as she checked off the item on the list. “Bird chorus?” she asked as she turned to Fluttershy. Fluttershy held out a hand as a sparrow landed. She whispered to the bird and the bird tweeted in response. Fluttershy turned back to Applejack and nodded. “Check.” Applejack then checked off the item on the list, “Let’s see decar…” Applejack stopped as she saw Pinkie make another balloon animal, this one was shaped like Discord in a serpentine version of his natural state. “How could Ah forget?” Applejack asked herself as she rolled her keys, “Check.” She then looked at last item. “Okay, that leaves Twilight’s pitch to the other princesses to use their magic for lighting.” Applejack then put the list down.

“Hey, you forgot the musical number to get Twilight out her funk if the other princesses turn her idea down,” Pinkie point out as she tied the balloon to a string and rock, “HEY, PARTY FAVOR! CHEESE! DON’T FORGET A COUPLE DOZEN OF THESES!!!” the jester shouted as she let the balloon float down to the two men she called to.

Applejack shook her head, “If Twilight needs a song and dance routine to remind her that as along we six have each other’s back nothing will stand in our way, there are a lot more pressing matters.” the paladin replied. She then looked towards the part of the palace with the throne room and then turn to the sky in the south. She squinted her eyes as if she thought she saw something.

“Applejack, hello. You there?” Rainbow questioned.

Applejack the snapped out of it, “Sorry, thought I felt something.” Applejack shook it off, “Well, let’s just get ready for whatever result Twilight gets.”

“First round on me if Celestia says ‘No’.” Rainbow offered. 

“YOU STILL HAVEN’T PAID OFF THE LAST BET YOU LOST!” the four other shouted as they called out Rainbow’s repayment problem. As everyone then laughed Applejack turned her gaze to a window with a stained glass rendering of Twilight.





On the other side of the stained glass window of Twilight, said demigod seemed to meditate. “Ommmmm…” she hummed. “Ohhhhhhh” she started to chant and then started to panic, “mmmmy goodness,” she said as she started to pace back and forth, “I can't handle this!” she then stopped and shivered in fright, “Ooh! Nothing is working!” She then looked up to the window. She paused as she recalled how regal she can be. “I just have to get it together! Just go in there! And ask! This is your Friendship Festival! Everybody's happiness rests in your hands.” she tried to psyche herself up. She then facepalmed herself.

“Okay, Twilight. Got all your charts and graphs.” Spike said as he came down the hallway from the door opposite the throne room as he had an armful of scrolls and pulled a whiteboard. As soon as he got within a meter he stopped, “Let me guess, you’re nervous that Celestia, Luna, and Cadance will say ‘no’.” Twilight turned to face Spike. “Yeah, you remember that master-familiar link, well it’s still there.” Spike reminded her.

“Oh, Spike, what do I do?” she asked as she turned to look at the doors. 

Spike rolled his eyes, “Twilight you’re forgetting something very important. And it’s not the visual aids.” As Twilight tried to figure out Spike’s riddle, the dragon groaned and pointed to the tiara on Twilight’s head, “You’re a princess too.”

Twilight smiled as she hugged Spike, “Thanks, Spike.” Twilight said as she then took a breath and opened the door. Inside, the throne room not far from the entrance Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Cadance and seemed to be chatting with each other as Cadance held her daughter, Princess Flurry Heart. “Good Morning, thank you for meeting me.” Celestia, Luna, and Cadance turned to greet Twilight. “How’s my favorite niece?” she asked Flurry only for her to babble happily to see the B.est A.unt E.ver.

“So what can we do for you?” Celestia asked after the other princess had a few giggles at the cute sight. 

“I have an idea that will make the first Friendship Festival the most wonderful celebration Mystica has ever seen!” Twilight cheered as Spike prepared the whiteboard.

“And the fact that the inhabitants of Gryphonstone, Caer Sith, the Dragon Lands, and Yakyakistan are here along with all of Mystica have been arriving here all morning is so underwhelming.” Luna pointed out as she rolled her eyes, her tone supersaturated with sarcasm. Cadance had a laugh as Twilight pouted and Celestia just smiled and shook her head. 

“Well, Songbird Serenade is going to be a fairly big attraction.” Cadance pointed out.” 

“Yes, she is the... "mane" event!” Twilight giggled at her own pun. This didn’t get the laugh from the other princesses, even Flurry was not amused. Twilight coughed. “Well to make this an extra special, I could use your help.” Twilight continued as Spike prepared a maker to draw what Twilight would dictate. “Now Songbird Serenade's performance is not scheduled to start until after sunset. And based on my precise calculation, to get the very best lighting for the stage,” Twilight turned her focus to Celestia as Spike drew the stage and started to draw out the part of the pitch that involved the sun, “Princess Celestia, I was hoping you could make sure the sun stays about 28.1º to the south,” Twilight finished this part of the pitch as Spike finished the drawing that part of the pitch he began to draw the part that dealt with the moon. Twilight then turned to Luna, “and, Princess Luna, if you could raise the moon 62º to the north at the same time, it would reflect the sunlight on the other side and really frame the entire stage perfectly!” she shouted with a cheer. 

The three other adult demigods looked at each other a little unsure about the prospects of what Twilight wanted. Luna and Cadance looked at Celestia, both with a slight scowl. Celestia sighed, “Well, Twilight…” Celestia started only to be cut off by Twilight as the youngest adult demigod turned to Cadance.

“But wait! There's more!” Twilight shouted as Spike climbed on the board and started to draw the final part of the pitch, “Cadance, if you could use your crystal magic to create an aurora above the stage, the sun and the moon will shine through it and create a truly amazing light show!”  She finished as gave a massive grin on her face.

The other princesses looked at Celestia again, with a bemused expression on their faces, even Flurry. Celestia rolled her eyes and sighed. “Twilight, we understand that you want us to move the very celestial bodies to assist with the party.” Celestia started. Before she could be interrupted, “but the magic that each of us has is meant for a specific role and use that power without any regard to the long-term consequences could result in disaster, even the slightest of changes can be devastation.”  

Twilight’s smile faded into a frown, “So… that’s a no?” she asked.

Celestia then placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulder, “As the Princess of Friendship, you have access to all the magic you need, and you don’t have far to look as there six sources that are always close to you.”

“Also if you had elected to hold of the Festival until Midsummer’s Eve, the sun and moon were going to set and rise respectively at the angles you desire and there is aurora forecasted to appear at that time,” Luna added which earned a slight glare from Celestia and Cadance. “Are We wrong?” Luna asked.

Twilight then turned to head out of the room, “Well thanks for hearing me out.”





About thirty minutes later, Twilight and Spike arrived at the balcony where Applejack et al were watching over the festival. “So did they say yes?” Rainbow asked as she was the first to spot the demigod.

Twilight sighed at first as he went to the railing and leaned on them, “They think I can make today perfect without their magic.” Twilight answered.

Rarity was the first to step up to their dejected friend, “And they are absolutely right, darling.” the enchantress declared as she forced Twilight to actually look at the huzel and buzel and the other interactions. “This festival is your brilliant idea and we know you're up to the task!” Rarity added as she attempted to boost Twilight’s confidence.

“But what if I'm not?!” Twilight asked as she turned away from  Rarity, “What if Songbird Serenade hates the stage?!”

“Then she has no taste, Sugarcube. This is a Rarity unique stage after all.” Applejack replied as she too stepped up.

“Or nobody makes a new friend?!”

“Yeah... you might want to take another look at what’s going on. Because if you look over to the cider stand, you’ll see Rutherford and Rockfoot in an ork blood-brother drink off.”Rainbow said as she pointed to a table where the two were and drank cider with their right arms crossing each other at the elbow.

“Still if I failed the festival, then who am I?!”

Pinkie took a breath as if she was about to give Twilight a speech when Fluttershy tapped her on the shoulder. The jester turned to the druid to see Fluttershy shake her head before the druid flew up to Twilight. “I know you’re nervous about everything. But Princess Celestia gave you the test of completing Star Swirl’s unfinished spell because she knew you could solve it. Ever task, trail, and test she gave you, she knew you would pass them. And time and time again you showed her, Luna, and even Cadance that you can meet any challenge and succeed. You are Twilight Sparkle, stop defining yourself by your title.” Fluttershy said with an almost uncharacteristic degree of confidence and force. 

After about a second, as Twilight started to recover, Pinkie then stepped in, “I was just going to say that we cut the whole song and dance musical number, I’m just going to get the message of it,” Pinkie started. Before anyone could question. “You got this because we got this because we got this together.” Pinkie summed up. Pinkie then looked to a nearby clock tower. “Look at the time, Songbird’s going to be here to check out the stage.” Pinkie then grabbed everyone into a hug and jumped on to the rallying. “Three, two, one.” Pinkie counted before she jumped down and landed with just a boing bounce after a couple second fall. Pinkie then checked the watch on her wrist, “Shoot I’ll meet you at the stage.” Pinkie then bolted leaving the others utterly bewildered.

They all took a breath before they walked to stage Rarity had set up. To say it was fabulous would actually be an insult to Rarity’s attention to detail. The cloth that hid the woodwork of the stage was a regal purple. Around it evenly spaced to the precise nanometer, were red bows with clear white crystals in the center. “Wow, Rarity you outdid yourself,” Twilight commented. She then looked at the sage, it was long and high enough that no one would have a hard time to see the performance. At the back of the stage was series of racks that functioned as a series of preaches for the birds that would perform as well. “Well it looks’ like Pinkie was right, we do got this together.” 

Just Twilight landed background, the was a sudden boom as everyone turned only to see what seemed to be a large layered cake fired from a massive party canon fly towards the group. The group tried to run away, but the cake was, in fact, unfinished and landed on Twilight with a clear spalt. Twilight climbed through the cake and took a gasp as she tried to dig herself out of the cake. Pinkie then arrived on the scene as Twilight got out the cake. “Oopsie!” Pinkie said as she whipped the batter off of Twilight, “Guess my easy bake party cake cannon needs a little bit more fine tuning!”  Twilight only rolled her eyes and groan as she let Pinkie try to clean up her mess.

“I was told I’d need to make an entrance, but I don’t know if I can top that.” came a female voice, the group turned to see a Skyborn woman. Her hair was half black and half blonde, with bangs that covered her eyes with a large pink bow in the back. Her ethereal wings looked like song notes and she was dressed in a dress that top was shirt-like that was black in color that had the area of the waist colored and designed like a cloud with the skirt part of the dress was a quasi-clear purple with a series of hearts of different colors. On her hands were black gloves.

“Songbird Serenade?” Twilight asked in a near panic. “You’re early.”

Songbird smirked, “Sapphire Shores and Countess Coloratura suggested that I should meet up with the woman in charge.” She then looked among the lot and the look solely at Twilight, “Given that you’re the only one here with a crown, I am guessing you are.”

“Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight said as she offered her hand. Songbird didn’t take the hand but instead curtsy to Twilight. Twilight was slightly taken aback but she recalled that she was, in fact, a princess. “You’re early for your sound check,” Twilight said as she looked at a nearby clock.

“Never too early to make sure the sound in right.” Songbird said as she hovered up to the stage. She was about to take a breath but the as sudden and extremely loud roar of thunder that caused everything to come to a halt. Everyone turned to the south to see storm clouds drifting towards the city. 

Twilight and her friends went to the south entrance of the city, “Storm clouds?” Twilight asked in utter shock. “They sky was forecasted to be clear!” she almost shouted. She then turned towards Rainbow, who was tasked to keep track of the weather, “Rainbow Dash?!” she asked with irritation in her voice.

Rainbow looked at the cloud, but it didn’t match any storm cloud she seen. She also looked to see Applejack’s right hand drift towards her sword, “I... don't think those are storm clouds.”

As the cloud continued to approach the city the ESM started to form a defensive perimeter, while others started to direct the civilians away from towards the more easily protected areas of the city. At the same time, Twilight et al were joined by Shining Armor, dressed in his purple armor and his spear in head, Flash Sentry with a buckler on his left hand and his sword drawn in his right, Flash Magnus with Netitus on his left arm and a khopesh (likely a gift from Somnabula) in his right, Rockfoot with his trusty shovel, and the other demigods.

From the cloud a set of what like turquoise colored horns on a large dirigible crept forward as the dirigible began to land. “Ooh! I bet those are the clowns I ordered!” Pinkie cheered as before she saw how the craft was landing and seemed to disregard the stand of balloons that was there. Pinkie had to take a step back, “Or definitely not the clowns I ordered.” she acknowledged with a weak teehee.

Once the dirigible landed a ramp lowered and an anthropomorphic hedgehog with a dark gray-blue with a white mane and light blue eyes. He wore a black shirt with the same insignia that was on the dirigible, as he dragged a sort sound set up behind him. As he walked down he was short of breath and grunted. Once he was at the bottom of the ramp he set up the sound box to be a massive megaphone. The hedgehog cleared his throat, “Peopleth of Mythica, we come on behalf of the fearsome, the powerful, the almighty...Thtorm King!” the hedgehog announced as along the side of the dirigible a banner was unfolded. The banner was a rendering of what seemed to be a man in his forties with bluish-gray hair and light blue eyes dressed in white fur and a black band like crown with two horn-like prongs and a black breastplate with the same insignia. The hedgehog then stopped for a second before he turned to the top of the ramp, “And now, to deliver the methage, put your handth together for Commander Tempeeeetht Thhadoooow!” he completed as a woman stepped out of a mist inside the dirigible. The woman was a Mystican with bronze tanned skin, with moderate rose hair and opal eyes. She was dressed in a partially- plated armor dark purple in color with a black shirt and pants and orchard lining. On her pauldron was the same insignia as the hedgehog. However what stood out the most was the scar on her face. The scar looked like a tilted cross on the forehead with the longer part going down the right side of her face under her eye. However, there was more to the scar, a shattered and embedded focus gem. “Thank you, Grubber,” Tempest said as walked down the ramp.

Shining Armor stepped to the front, “I am Grand Marshall Shining Armor.” he introduced himself. “State your business Commander Shadow’ unless I am mistaken.” he greeted her.

“I prefer ‘Tempest’, Grand Marshall Armor.” Tempest clarified. “But I am so glad that you asked.” Tempest could not help but laugh with some delight. “Let’s start with the complete and total surrender of the princesses, shall we?” Tempest asked as she looked from Shining towards Celestia, Luna, and Cadance, the three of who unconsciously formed a human wall in front of Twilight.

Cautiously Twilight stepped from behind the older princesses. “Excuse me.” she said weakly, everyone turned to see the younger princess, “Hi there. Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship,” she said as she waved her right hand. “Not exactly sure what's going on, but I know we can talk things out.”

Tempest had a small chuckle and as she ended her descent down the ramp and looked at Twilight. “Oh, goody.” she then clapped her hands together in some joy. “All four of you makes this a lot easier.” she said as she looked to Celestia then to Cadance and then to Luna, “Here's the deal, ladies. I need your magic. Give it up nicely, please, or we make it difficult for everyone!” as she spoke she shifted her focus among the princesses.

“ALEXANDROS MEGALYTERI!” Shining shouted as he raised his spear and then planted the base of it as his focus gem glowed to form a bubble shield which surrounded the city, keeping the smoke that lingered out and separated Shining from Tempest. “Not gonna happen,” he said with a great amount of defiance. “MAGNUS!” he shouted as he turned to Flash Magnus.

“SOLDIERS! SHIELDS UP! DRAW ARM! ARCHERS! READY BOWS! KNOT ARROWS! MAGES PREPARE SPELLS!” Magnus began to call out orders and the ESM obey. Joining them were some of the other humanoids and dragons.

Shining then turned back to Tempest, “Come and get it if you can.” he taunted.

Tempest chuckled, “I was hoping you'd choose ‘difficult’.”  She said as she stepped through the bubble. Before anyone could do anything, she pulled a lime green orb out of a pouch and throw it at Shining. Shining tried to conjure a shield to protect him, but the orb shattered on his magical shield and a black crystal started to grow around the shield.

“SHINING!!!” Cadance shouted as she rushed to provide her magic to empower him. However, it was not soon as the city-size bubble shield that Shining cast to collapse. As for both Cadance and Flurry attempted to empower Shining, they too got caught in the crystal that grew around Shining.

As the shield fell large white-furred monstrous humanoids dressed in fuller armor version of what Tempest wore with helms with battle masks came out of the ship with the first three throw out at least a dozen a piece of the same orbs that Tempest threw. These orbs exploded on the shields and much like the one Tempest threw, black crystals started to grow and rapidly encompass those struck by them.

As that happened, more ships made themselves visible and more of the white-furred beast-men jumped from them throwing more of the orbs and nets that gave off sparks indicating that once they made contact with a person, the person would be shocked with electricity.

Swiftly, Celestia took Twilight by her shoulders, “Go south, past the Badlands, to the end of the continent and seek Queen Novo. GO! GO!! GO!!!” Celestia ordered as she and Luna took a breath to then cast a light that temporarily blinded all the monsters, Tempest and Grubber, even as more and more of the monsters joined the fray, using more of those orbs and nets rendering more and more of ESM and Mystica’s allies incapacitated. 

Twilight was about to protest before she was caught in a bubble and shaved away. It was a blink of an eye, but she then saw that one of those green orbs were thrown at where she was and in her place at the time of the impact was Brighteyes. However Brighteyes wasn’t the only one that an orb was thrown at, Luna and Celestia too were struck.

As Tempest recovered from the blinding spell and saw both Celestia and Luna encased in the same type of crystal as Shining, Cadance and Flurry, and many more of the ESM., “Even with the light of the sun and moon,” she then started to chuckle. “Easy as pie.” she finished as she turned to Grubber.

“You go, boss, you totally got all four Printhetheththe!” Grubber cheered on Tempest’s accomplishment.

Tempest smiled until she took a good look at the fourth ‘princess’ and saw that it was a particle mail woman. “That's not the Princess!” she shouted more so to herself and her miss. 

“HEY!” Grubber shouted towards a handful of the beast-men. The five turned to him, “Guyth, we gotta get the Princess!” he said as he looked and then spotted where the bubble burst. “THITH WAY!” he said as he dropped to all for and ran with the beast-men following him. Tempest watched on and had a slight smile as she turned and watched Grubber lead. She then returned to the rest of the battle at hand as she took on Rockfoot, Flash Magnus, King Thorax and Dragonlord Ember.

At where Grubber spotted Twilight, Twilight was joined by Applejack, Spike, et al as they directed her towards one of the streets heading towards one of the southern gates. “Come on!” Applejack ordered as she was pushing as Rainbow pulled everyone on. After nearly fifteen seconds of running, they arrived at bridge only to have the southern sided blocked by half a dozen of the white-furred beast-men as Grubber lead five more trapping them from the north.

Spotting this from the brawl, Flash whispered to his buckler, “Skyboom Shield.” and threw it at the seven. “HEADS UP CRASH!” 

As he shouted Rainbow caught the buckler. She then saw Flash aim his hand crossbow at her. Rainbow then stepped to be next to a keystone of the bridge, “FIRE, CRASH!” she shouted back.

“REQUIEM BLASTER!!!” Flash shouted as he pulled the trigger. Instead of a normal crossbow bolt, the hand crossbow fired a bolt of plasma that flew true and collided with the force shield projected from the buckler. The resting impact didn’t harm Rainbow or anyone, as the Skyboom Shield disputed the blow from the Requiem Blaster into the very stone of the bridge causing it to shatter. 

All but Rainbow screamed as they all fell with the bridge into the river that flowed in the city towards the waterfall just east of the city’s southern exit. The lot gasped as they recovered from the initial plummet only for all to scream as they went over the waterfall.

Back at the bridge, Grubber had watched the fall and turned towards the beast-men with him, “So, which one of you guyth ith goin' down there?” he asked them. They all growled and grunted in protest. Grubber sighed. “Tempeth ithn’t gonna like thith.”
> Paths Selected
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

About half an hour later, downstream of the waterfall, an extremely drenched Applejack dragged herself and almost waterlogged Rainbow out of the river to a small beach in the river that was covered from above by a canopy of trees. “There you go, Sugarcube.” Applejack said as placed Rainbow down before she took to her own knees. “Next time, give us a heads up when yah plan to destroy a bridge.” she playfully scolded.

Rainbow mocked saluted, “Yes, mom.” she falsely moaned. “But thanks for helping me out.” the elementalist said as she gave a sincere smile as she got to her feet as they joined the others. Rarity, Twilight, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were all just as soaked as the two, as Spike was setting up a fire for everyone to dry off and warm up.

“Thanks, Spike,” Twilight said as everyone sans Fluttershy gathered around the fire. 

“What do we do now?” Fluttershy asked as she temporarily took the form of a fire elemental and returned to her normal form her clothes, hair, and skin completely dry. “That’s better.”

Rainbow looked at the buckler that Flash threw to her still on her left hand. A tear formed but she elected to not cry and snorted to physically show her shifting her mental gears. “I say we go back and kick that Tempest’s butt,” Rainbow suggested as she looked back to the capitol.

Applejack turned her gaze back to the city before she turned back to Rainbow in less than a second, “How?” she asked, “There are seven of us, an army of them, and they have those orbs that after they shatter on one of us can petrify us.” Applejack pointed out, as if Rainbow forgot what happened.

“We could call in one of our remaining favors Discord owes,” Rainbow suggested in haste of thought.

Everyone turned to Fluttershy only for her to sigh. She then reached into Pinkie’s hair and pulled out a phone. “Hello operator, I’d like to make an interdimensional call to the pocket of Pure Chaos.” Fluttershy stopped as she listened to the operator, “Yes, I am aware of the cost. I still want to place the call.” There was more from the operator. “Now with that settled, I’d like to reach Discord’s cottage.” There was another pause as the phone rang. 

In Discord’s house, the Erisadies was in his ‘normal’ form but his skin, fur, and feathers were all blue and his body was swollen as each part of him also seemed to try to pull from the rest of his body to make a separate creature based on that part. As he groaned a human size green blob came into the room with a tray with an assortment of what could be assumed to be medication. “Oh, Smooze, thanks for doing this, I’d ask Fluttershy but she was looking so forward to this festival of friendship thing Twilight planed…” Discord said but was cut off as the Smooze put some medication into his mouth and started to babble. Discord nodded as if he was agreeing to a scolding parent. “Yes.”

The Smooze then seemed to sigh and shake his head before he turned the phone rang. The Smooze answered it. Back with Fluttershy et al, “Hello Discord…” Fluttershy started but was cut off by what sounded like babble. “Oh, Smoozie, it’s nice to hear from you. Listen, I need to speak with Discord.” Back in Discord’s home, Smooze turned to look at Discord and after he saw the master of chaos sneeze gave a sigh before he babbled into the phone. Back with Fluttershy, “Oh no, Orderits, is it because of when he tried to make everything in his home ‘normal’ for me?” the druid asked in extreme concern like a wife hearing that her husband fell ill. She heard some babble. “Well, thank you for taking care of him.” She waited as there was some more babble from the Smooze. “Good to hear that he’ll bounce back for Midsummer’s Eve. But do take care of yourself too Smoozie. Let Discord know I said hi.” there was some more babble from the Smooze. “Thank you Smoozie. Goodbye.”  Fluttershy then put the phone back into Pinkie’s hair ending the call.

“Okay, so we can’t get help from Discord.” Spike pointed out, “And going back into the city is going to get us all captured, so any other plans?” Spike asked.

After about a minute of silence as everyone was in serious thought, before Twilight started to speak, “Queen Novo.” Everyone turned to her, “Princess Celestia told me to find her, and that she lives to the south beyond the Badlands.” Twilight tried to explain while it was clear to them that she too doesn’t fully understand.

Rarity then spoke up, “But certainly Princess Celestia told you about her at some point.” seeking a means to help Twilight show that she knew what she was talking about.

Twilight groaned as she shook her head, “It might have been in political studies class, but I don’t truly recall where or what she is the queen of.” Twilight stated as everyone looked at her, granted they all got her not recalling much from a political studies class, but if anyone was going recall anything from those classes it would be Twilight. Twilight could tell that they all understood why she didn’t recall that much from those classes, but she had to recall something. She sighed as she tried to recall something. “All I remember is part of the name of her people, the ‘Aa’.” Twilight explained.

“Aa?” Spike asked in utter confusion.

“Kansas!” Pinkie sang with a massive grin on her face. Everyone one looked at Pinkie in utter bewilderment before they all groaned as they realized who they dealing with. 

Applejack then raised her hand, “On the count of five, anyone with a better idea than seeking out this Queen Novo please present it. Five.” After a second she started to count as she bent her thumb,“ four”. After another second she bent her index finger and counted “three”. After another second passed, “two” she said as she bent down her middle finger. Just as another second past she bent her ring finger before she counted “one”. After one last second passed. “Well, then it’s settled. We’re going south to find Queen Novo and the Aa.” Applejack said as she got up.

“Wait you made you the leader?” Rainbow asked as she got up to challenge Applejack. 

“Oh for the love of… Ah ain’t the leader of this here five-man band.” Applejack countered.

Pinkie seemed to pop right between the two, “Technically there are seven of us.”

Applejack facepalmed herself. She then pointed to herself with her right hand as her left hand still covered her face, “The big guy,” then to Rainbow, “The lancer.” then to Fluttershy, “The heart”, then to Rarity “the smart guy” then to Spike, “the tag-along kid” then to Pinkie “a heart-smart-big guy combination” and finally to Twilight “ and the leader.” She then took a breath and removed her hand from her face. “Ah ain’t calling the shots, Ahm following through with them, now do you have a better plan then Twilight’s plan of going south?”

Rainbow raised her hand, only to bring it down after a second, “no.” she admitted. “So how do we get there?” she asked as they all turned to Twilight.

“We could try teleporting.” Fluttershy offered as means.

Twilight shook her head, “I would have to know or see where I am going.” Twilight informed. 

“We could try teleporting to your library and get a book about Queen Novo and find out more about the Aa and your spellbook and get your recommissioned skyboat?” Rarity suggested. “With that, we can fly and know where to.”

Twilight gave a nervous laugh, “Well, I lent Starlight my spell book because there are a few spells in that she wanted to bind as part of an act she’s doing as Trixie’s assistant.”

“And you can’t teleport the book here because you don’t know or have an approximation of where the tome is?” Rarity asked rhetorically. Twilight gave a weak smile. “And you don’t have any books on the subject of nations south of the Badlands,” Rarity added only for Twilight’s sad nod to confirm the enchantress’ subscriptions.

“Fluttershy, can you transform into a dragon?” Rainbow asked.

Fluttershy took a breath, “I don’t know if I could and if so, I don’t know how long I can hold that wild shape and I don’t think I’d be large enough to carry everyone, or if I can wild shape into any creature that can fly of that size.” she replied reluctantly. 

After about a minute of thought, Twilight took a breath, “It looks like I’m going to have to go on fo...” She said as she stood up.

“Oh, not this again.” Applejack groaned as she facepalmed herself.

“You’re going to the ends of the world, we’re going with you.” Rainbow declared as she and the paladin walked up to Twilight.

“Well, I haven’t packed, but time is of the essence.” Rarity agreed as she joined the trio.

“A Save-Mystica-World tour, why would I miss out on that?” Pinkie asked as she jumped onto Applejack’s back and hugged her from behind as if she was expecting the paladin to carry her. Applejack only shook her head and carried the jester, like she was Apple Bloom. Fluttershy then walked to up the group and gave a silent and confident nod of agreement.

Everyone turned to Spike who was stomping out the fire with his bare foot. “What?” the dragon asked as he looked back. “Have to put out the fire before we go and try to make it look like we weren’t here. Also, dragon. Pretty much fireproof.”

“Let’s kick this off with a road trip game?” Pinkie asked.

“Why not?” Rainbow asked before she realized what she just did. “Whoops,” she muttered to late.

“I spy with my little eye, something that is orange.” Pinkie said as she jumped off Applejack turned around and skipped backward as everyone walked.

“Ah’m going out on a limb here and say ‘me’ due to my brazen and leather armor.” Applejack guessed with a slight smile.

“You’re right. It's you, Applejack!” Pinkie replied with a giggle. “This is going to be fun.”





About an hour or so after Twilight and company started their track south, Tempest was in the throne room as she watched the beast-men place the petrified Celestia, Luna, and Cadance in a square formation. The ones with the petrified Cadance were trying to pry her from Shining and Flurry. “What are you doing?” she shouting which caused them to stop. “They are a complete set, leave them as they are.” The beast-men grunted to signify their obeisance. Just then the doors of the throne room open as a dozen of the beast-men pulled behind them a series of carts that had other petrified individuals, Thorax, Ember, Rockfoot and Flash Magnus. In another cart were Mistmane, Somnambula, Meadowbrook, Prince Rutherford, Star Swirl the Great and a male harpy with a dead eye that looked to be older than Mistmane, all of them chained together. “Thank you for your assistant...” Tempest said as she walked towards the chained people directing towards them as she seemed to mock them, but was cut off. 

“Release us, you…” Star Swirl started before Tempest literal shoved a sock into his mouth.

Tempest then turned as she walked away, “Let’s try this again.”  She turned back to the chained individuals, “Thank you for your assistant. The Storm King will be very appreciative of your contribution to the cau...” 

“Go f…” the old harpy cut her off before he was cut off in turn, by an electric bolt from Tempest’s right hand that started from a charged crackle from the scar on her forehead struck him.

Tempest then sighed, “I’d hoped that I wouldn’t have to do this.” Tempest then took out of her pouch a lime green orb and nobbed to the beast-men. The creatures then took the chained lot and separated them and forced them to kneel. Tempest then threw the orb and it shattered in front of them and the remains of the orbs spread to hit each of the captured and petrifying them as Celestia and Luna were. Tempest then shook her head and turned to look around to all the festival decorations all now in disarray. “All this power wasted on parties. She said as she then turned to where Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were placed, “when there are far greater uses.” 

Just then her left pauldron started to glow and vibrate. She tapped the horn-like mark. She then genuflected with her head dipped as from both marks on her projected a transparent full rendering of the Storm King with a black staff with a blue crystal at the top. “I hope the whole Mystican invasion is tracking well.” Tempest raised her head and stood up, she then gestured towards the beast-men as they were placing the petrified figures around a magic circle drawn with a square in it with Celestia, Luna, and Cadance in three of the four corners. The Storm King then whistle with a clearly impressed smile. “Well, color me impressed.” The Storm King then turned to Tempest and raised his hand as an inquisitive expression starting to form.

Tempest walked to the statues, “These are several of the Princesses of Mystica, the leaders of their neighboring allies and others.” Tempest started she walked to the statue of Cadance, Shining, and Flurry, “This is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza the Princess of Love and Family, the ruler of the autonomous city-state of Krystalopolies, her husband Grand Marshall Shining Armor and their daughter Princess Flurry Heart.” She then walked to Princess Luna’s statue, “Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night and one of the true dirachs of Mystica.” Tempest then walked to Celestia, “Princess Celestia of a thousand and six titles, the true ruler of Mystica.” Tempest then walked among the other statues and listed them off as she touched each one, “King Thorax of Caer Sith, Dragon Lord Ember, Prince Rutherford of Yakyakistan, Grampa Gruff the village elder of Gryphonstone and finally the Pillars of Legend; Star Swirl the Great, Rockfoot the Strong, Flash Magnus the Brave, Mistmane the Beautiful, Mage Meadowbrook the Healer and Somnambula the Hopeful.” 

The Storm King whistled again, “Quite the collection you got there.” he commented very much impressed with his herald’s accomplishment. 

Tempest, however, knew that the Storm King had his own reason to call, “Your Excellency, if I may be so bold to ask why you called?” she asked. 

The Storm King’s eyes then shot wide and his pupils constricted as he recalled why he called, “Oh. Right.” he said before he turned to face Tempest. “Here's the deal.” he started. “I have a bit of a big branding problem here,” he stated. “‘The Storm King’ is tracking well as ‘intensely intimidating’,” he said as he smirked as he stroke his chin with pride in himself. He then stopped as he seemed to show that he was in thought, “but you know what? I need to back it up.” he turned his focus to Tempest. “You know what I need to back it up with?” he asked rhetorically.  “A storm!” he shouted with his voice thundering through the hall. “That would be great!” he said as he started to calm down.

Before he challenged, Tempest started to explain, “That will not be a problem in seven days, as the sun starts it’s decent on Midsummer’s Eve, the Staff of Sacanas, which you hold, will be able to channel the magic of the four ruling princesses of this land and these other beings and will grant you the personal power greater than a thousand and six armies, and as you can see Dragon Lord Ember still holds the Bloodstone Sceptre, which would allow you exert your will on all dragons you come across.” 

The Storm King smiled with a wicked grin and chuckled. “Well done,” he commented with a great about of pride in Tempest. He then started to scowl slightly, “Remember, Tempest. Only I know how to make you whole.” the Storm King stated. “Make this twig work, and you'll get your reward,” he said as he pointed to the staff. “Fail me, and that embedded focus gem in your forehead won't be the only thing of yours that's broken.” The Storm King then brought the Staff down to the floor of where he was in and it gave a thud that sounded like a cross of a resounded thunder roll and the breaking of bones. 

The project then ended, Tempest’s confident demeanor which she had throughout her exchange with the Storm King then dropped as she placed her hand on her chest and started to pant as if she was having a panic attack. As she tried to collect herself, one the beast-men brought a fan, another brought a towel, and other brought a glass of water. After Tempest collected herself she took a deep breath and shook her head dismissing the items, but it was clear that she was thankful in her silence. She then turned to see Grubber come in. She started to open her mouth to ask about Twilight. “I got good newth and bad newth.” Grubber said as he rubbed the back of his head. Before he could say any more, a crackle of lightning formed in the embedded focus gem and shot to her left gauntlet and then bolted to Grubber shocking the hedgehog.

Grubber was shocked and fell to the ground screaming. After the spell was over, “What good news?” Tempest asked gritting her teeth as stepped to look down at Grubber. “I need all four adult demigoddesses for the Staff of Sacanas to work. And our lord and master will kill me if it doesn’t.” She said as she grabbed Grubber by his shirt and made him look at her square in the eye. She breathed her nose in an attempt to contain her ire.

“Now you’re going to have to hear me out fully.” Grubber said as he raised his hands. Tempest grunted but she seemed to accept the terms. Grubber then cleared his throat. “During the cleanup, we allowed therveral otherth to get of the city, they will give uth a meanth to figure out where the princethth ith heading.” Tempest was about to raise her other hand, “We have a few of them bugged.” Grubber then pressed his shirt and a project of a heavily injured Flash Sentry was being partially carried by a humanoid that looked like he was Thorax’ older brother, but was dressed in dark cyan long sleeve shirt and pants with a grayish blue breastplate in lue of the toga-like clothes and pants Thorax wore.

“Let’s attend Twilight’s festival of friendship, Thorax said.” the projected elf groaned, “It will be fun, he said.” 

“With all due respect, Prince Pharynx, if you’re going to berate Trixie for her complaining about having to levitate Starlight, you will have no grounds to bemoan that fact that you elected to attend the festival.” Flash countered.





At that moment in a small cave in the mountain Chantalot was built into, Pharynx leaned the heavily injured Flash against the wall as they were joined by Sunburst, Stygian, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, the harpies Gilda who had a broken wing and Gabby who had a broken leg and finally Trixie as she levitated behind her a petrified Starlight. Pharynx took a look at everyone present. “Let’s see, what I got to work with, a half-dead warrior, an egotistical subpar illusionist, a petrified binder, a dropout wizard, two injured harpies and three little girls.”

“Excuse, your grace, but you forgot about me,” Stygian said in an attempt to recall Pharynx’ attention to him.

“No, I did.” Pharynx countered, “I just don’t pretend that something without value to me is worth the time me to list it.” the elf compounded. 

Trixie panted as she leaned against the Starlight statue, “Well, even a prince who begs can’t choose what he’s given.” the illusionist retorted. 

“Now that’s something I can work with.” Pharynx chuckled at the sass Trixie gave him.

“What’s the plan, we can’t go charging back in, look at Gilda, Gabby, Flash, and Starlight, we barely made it out.” Sweetie Belle asked as she pointed out the state of the others.

“The brat got a point,” Gilda commented, “And all the dragons that would help are either petrified or chained up.” the harpy pointed out that there was no real aid to come from the neighboring domains.

Flash grunted as he pointed to Trixie and spell book at her waist, “What you think there’s a spell we could use?” Trixie asked.

Flash nodded, “Like a stone to flesh for Starlight and some healing spell and limb mending spells for Gabby, Gilda and myself.” Flash added. Trixie then opened the book and started to look through it randomly before Sunburst took it and pointed to the table of context before he started to look up the spells that Flash suggested.

“Even with us all with clean bill of health, what do we do?” Scootaloo asked.

Flash tried to stand up, “We try to find Twilight and help her on her mission to find whoever Princess Celestia was seeking aid from.” His legs, however, could not support him and fell to the cave floor before anyone could catch him. He then groaned as he then tried to crawl and set back up. 

“Where?” Pharynx asked utterly befuddled, “We just ruled out the dragons, and all of Caer Sith is back in Chanterlot.”

As Flash righted himself, “Twilight was heading towards the southern gate, I think she was heading south.”

Before anyone could counter, Apple Bloom pulled out a clear disc with three buttons on it, “Ah got a tracker in one of AJ’s pauldron, Big Mac ’s, and Granny’s staff.” Apple Bloom informed. “Ah got a lot of free time and AJ and Big Mac need their armor repaired quite frequently.” Apple Bloom then pressed a button on it and a small map was projected with Applejack’s aura mark heading southward. “Does anybody know what’s south?” the artificer asked.

“Caer Sith, but all the elves, present company excluded, is in Chantalot,” Stygian explained.

Pharynx shook his head, “There’s the Badlands, but the only reason to risk a track there is to get to Kludgetown, but there is no way the Klugetowners will come to help.”  

“But Twilight could get a lift to where she’s heading,” Gabby said weakly. “I think.” the last bit was an admittance of her ignorance. Gilda only groaned in response.

Trixie sat down next to the harpy, “She right. So the plan is to fix ourselves up and try to meet them there?” the illusionist offered.





Back in the throne room Grubber pressed the mark on his shirt ending the projection, “Ath they thaid, the’th heading thouth, we can find them in Klugetown.” Grubber said as Tempest released her hold. “Told yay, I had good newth.”

Tempest turned from Grubber and a smile formed before she started to chuckle. “Looks like my faith in you was well placed,” Tempest said as she turned back to the hedgehog. “It will take them about three to four days for them to reach Klugetown and we need to make sure this city is fully locked down.”

“I’ll get your thip ready for when you’re good to go.” Grubber said as he left the throne room.

Tempest chuckled before she walked to the restored stained glass window showing Twilight’s ascension to her current state as a demigod. “Not even you will deny me my restoration, my little princess.” As she spoke she raised her hand as lightning crackled from her forehead to her right hand. She then sent the lightning to the window shattering it.
> The Friend You Need
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Almost four days since Twilight et al started their journey in search of Novo and the Aas, as the sun was high in the sky baking the southern sands of the Badlands, the seven were in various stages of clasps and exhaustion as Rainbow Dash herself was drudging her feet she was so spent. All of them, sans Spike, had hair that was flat and drenched with sweat. Spike, however, despite his own thirst, was actually faring well, sparked on by the heat of the environment warming his exothermic blood. “We got to getting close to an oasis somewhere?” Spike said.

Applejack was the first to drop to her knees and one by one the others just flopped face first into the sand, “Ah told yall that we should have waited until nightfall.” the paladin complained before she went to her makeshift waterskin. Upon opening it she found it as dry as a bone. “If we don’t find water soon, none of us are going to make it.”

Rarity was the first of the others to try to get herself up, “I thought demigods were immortal and didn’t need water, food, air, or hear.” she said as she turned to Twilight. 

The princess groaned as she struggled to set herself up, “I asked Celestia about that, she said demigods do die of old age, we’re talking at least three to four thousand years old, but they are pretty much just super-humans that don’t age until they reach one hundred years old.” Twilight informed in between pants.

Next to Pinkie was the skull of a human size vulture, after she gave a fairly demented laugh, “This guy might know which to go!” she exclaimed with so signs of her sanity still there. She placed the skull next to her ear and seemed to listen to it.

“Pinkie’s lost it,” Rainbow said as she and Fluttershy got up. “We’re dead.” 

“What’s that, friend?” Pinkie asked the skull as she made it look her in the face, “We're lost?” Pinkie then threw the skull into the air as is reduced itself to dust in the wind as she started to laugh again clearly demented until she broke down into tears. “We’re all going to die!” she whaled before she coughed and fell onto her back.

Spike looked at everyone as they all seemed to reside themselves to death in the desert. He had to find some ray of hope, anything, a cactus he could get cactus juice from to help at least take the edge off of everyone’s thirst, a bird starting a decent as if to collect water from an oasis, even… “A ROAD!” the dragon shouted as he jogged a few paces ahead to a part of the desert that was worn from not an only foot but cart traffic. He ran back and dragged each and everyone to the road, to show them the road. “Look, there’s hope,” he said with a slight pant.

“You’re a lifesaver, Spiky-wiky,” Rarity said as she kissed the dragon on the lips in an embrace.

Twilight was the first to her feet, “Hold on to that Rarity, just because he found a road, that doesn’t mean…” she stopped with a gasp as she looked toward the south and saw, “A city!” she shouted.

Pinkie then jumped into the air and seemed to be fully restored, save her sweat-drenched clothes, “We are doing it, you guys!” the jester shouted and started to skip along the road in front of everyone. 

Rarity was the next to start the track to the distant city “You know what they say – where there's a city, there's a spa!” she exclaimed as she summoned the energy to carry one. Applejack et al shook their heads, got back up to their feet and followed the enchantress and jester, as they elected to just let Rarity have the quote knowing ‘Karma’ would have its day soon enough.

About a half an hour late just before the seven arrived at the city they spied a colorful bird was minding its business in the brown and gray city before it was roped and pulled into a cage. The cage was shut and locked as the poor creature squawked in protest only for anthropomorphic boar to stroke the cage, “Don't worry, little one, we'll let ya go!” he said as he was joined by another such creature, “To the highest bidder!” the other boar-man said before they both started to laugh as they added the caged bird to cart full of bird cages. The first boar-man patted the other on his shoulder, “Nice!” he said and the two proceeded farther into the town and a marketplace.

As the boar-men went about their business, Twilight et al walked into the city and could not help but see how dirty, brown and gray the city was and the inhabitants, all of them anthropomorphic creatures. As they walked they came across a cart with several large barrels in disorder with some barrels on the ground. Pacing around the cart was anthropomorphic snapping-turtle about half a head taller than Rockfoot and about a quarter border than Rutherford who seemed to be the owner. Twilight nodded to her friends and over, “Hi there! Here. Lemme help you with that.” Twilight said as she started to levitate the barrels so that they fit the cart perfectly. The owner, however, did not seem to trust the demigoddess and started to chase Twilight and the others away, “Hey! No magic around my merchandise!” he shouted as the girls screamed and ran with Spike in tow.

All this was observed by an anthropomorphic cat with dark indigo fur that looked like hair with his main coat being brown with a darker shade around his paws, his face and the tips of his ears and tail and with a patch of a lighter shade of fluffier fur on his chest. He had green eyes and wore a long red coat that was clearly seen better days. He stroke his chin in thought, “Hmmm... Very interesting…” he whispered to himself.

After their short sprint, the seven clustered together, “Okay. We just gotta stick together.” Twilight said as she tried to keep her group together. “Be careful who you talk to. And try to blend in.” she tried to order.

However, Karma stroke as Pinkie jumped onto a top of an open stand, “Can I have your attention please?!” she shouted and got everyone in the marketplace to look at her. Twilight groaned and wept a little as everyone else looked at the jester. “Can anybody take us to the Queen of the Aas?!” she asked. One of the creatures, who looked like a fish-man was the first to reply, “Listen, Cotton Candy, you want something? You gotta give something!” he explained. Pinkie then popped to be in the guy’s arm, “Well, how about a big warm hug from a grateful human friend?” Pinkie asked only to be dropped by the fish-man. Pinkie then seemed to appear next to another creature that looked like a lizard-man, “How about this comb that I've never used?” she said as she pulled out a comb with a few strands of her hair in between the teeth. She then popped to be next to another turtle-man, “A picture of my sister Maud?” she offered. After that was turned down she went to boar-man, “This breath mint?” she asked, “Seriously, buddy. Help me help you.” she said as she tried to get someone to accept any of her offers. The boar-man just belched which caused her to step back and rejoin her friends.

“Pinkie, you can't just take off!” Twilight started as she forced Pinkie to look straight at her. The demigod then clenched her teeth, “And you don't need to announce to every…” she started before Pinkie slipped out of her hold.

The jester waved her hand dismissively, “Relax, Twilight! I totally got this!” she declared. “How much for the giant gecko?” one of the creatures asked leaving every one of the group confused.

Spike, however, blow out a small torrent of flame. After he finished “Dragon, I don’t that tongue thing.” Spike stated as he huffed out a puff of smoke.

“He’s not for sale!” Twilight declared as she stepped to be in front of her familiar. 

Another creature then spoke up, “I want that fancy purple hair!” she said as she pointed to Rarity’s head, “I'll give ya two storm bucks for it!”

“Two storm bucks?!” Rarity scuffed and turned her head in graceful disdained. “It's worth more than that!” she added as she held her nose up.

“Um, guys” Applejack tried to speak up but was drowned out by the locals beginning to encircle them. “Gimme the pink haired one!” one of the creatures, which looked like an anthropomorphic deer. “I’ll take the one in blue!” One of the boar-men said,  “No! I want the blue one!” the other boar-man challenged. “I need that lizard!” another creature-made shouted. “I’ll take that picture of your sister!” Another creature shouted. “I want all seven for my collection!” the deer woman said.

Just before any of the creatures got close enough to actually touch any of seven. “STOP!” yowled the cat-man that spotted the seven shortly after they arrived as he managed to leap and land in front of everyone, “Back up, everyone! Back it up!” he ordered as he managed to direct everyone back. “Y'all in some serious danger!” he shouted. He looked at everyone around. “Now you didn't touch any of them, did you?” he asked as he walked among the other creatures. “Just look at all those colors!” he said as he pointed towards the seven, “You think that's natural?” he asked almost rhetorically. “They're infected with…” he paused as he stepped in front of the other creatures. He then spoke in a soft tone, “pastelis coloritis.” All the other creatures gasped in horror and shock.

Applejack was about to speak up but was stopped by Rarity with a shake of her head. Applejack snorted and crossed her arms in protest.

As all the creatures were talking amongst themselves in panicked tones. “Don't worry, don't worry, as long as you're not covered in purple splotches, you'll be fine.” As the cat-man spoke he used his tail as some sort of brush as he secretly applied spots of purple paint on the fish-man that held Pinkie Pie in his arms. After the cat-man finished everyone looked at the fish-man, “Uh-oh.” The cat said as he covered his mouth. The fish-man gasped in horror, “What do I do?!” he asked in a panic. The cat shook his head, “Enjoy your last moments and don't touch anyone. Because parts will fall off.” he finished as he pointed to the fish-man. The fish-man covered below his belt and screamed as he ran away. Everyone else then screamed and ran away. The cat smirked, “Well, all right.” he purred as he pulled on his jacket like he owned the place.

Rainbow flew up to the cat, “You are awesome!” she shouted. The cat nobbed with a smirk.

“And quite charming,” Rarity added as she joined the two and giggled like a schoolgirl. Spike pouted with a huff. 

“Dapperpaws, Capper Dapperpaws’s the name.” Capper introduced himself proper with a slight bow. “And charming's my game.” he said and then started to walk as if he was leading the seven, “So... to the Aas, then?” he asked.

Just as Pinkie was about to skip ahead she was pulled back by Twilight and shielded the two with her wing, “I don't know if we should trust him.” Twilight whispered.

“We could definitely use a friend out here!” Pinkie pointed out.

Capper backtracked and moved Twilight’s wing, “You know what? Little Cotton Candy Hair is right.” he sided with Pinkie. “And, if I do say so myself..” he then started to sing as he stepped away as the music began to play, “This town is not a nice place
For little ladies all alone
There are lots of twists and corners
That could lead to the unknown
Let me guide your way
And I'll be sure to help you through
You could really use a friend out here
And luckily for you…” As he sang he used one of his claws to cut a rope that held up a line of panels that caused the entire stretch of the streets to be bathed in shadows. He then continued as he led the seven through the city.

“I'm the friend that you need
When you're lost and don't know what to do
I'm your pal, your amigo
Useful and resourceful, too
And my help, you'll concede
Is a plus guaranteed
You can call and I'll come running
Just follow my lead
'Cause I'm the friend you need!” As he sang he guided them through the town. As they passed by a stand with a few oranges he dropped a couple of coins and swiped the oranges with his tail. He then stepped a few paces ahead as he juggled the fruit. He turned passed one to Applejack and then the other two to other Klugetowners.

One of the two then sang, “He's a friend.”
The other than added, “Quite a friend!”
The two then sang together, “He's a friend indeed!” before they both chomped onto the fruit they were given as Capper smirked.

Capper then started up his song again as he continued to guide the seven through the city to his abode. “You need a bud to spot the danger
A pal to stop the creep
A chum and not a stranger to assist
You need a bro who is cunning
That can help you take the leap
A friend who knows what's lying in the mist
Don't fear these darkened alleys
They're scary, yes, I know
Why you could use a friend
To protect you wherever you go
And such a dazzling beauty
Covered in dirt and muck
But now your fate is changing
Now you are in luck
'Cause I'm the friend that you need
When you're lost and don't know what to do
I'm your pal, your amigo
Lookin' out for friends like you
And my help, you'll concede
Is a plus guaranteed
Just call and I'll come running
We'll say it's agreed…” As he continued his trek home, helping Rarity, Fluttershy and Spike every so often until they reached a rundown windmill which was his home. In front of the windmill was a small humanoid mouse. Capper stepped to the side to let the seven head to the front door. There was a break in his song as Capper gave the mouse-man a note. “Here. Tell Verko, "Capper’s place, sixty minutes." I've got something that will magically erase all my debt.” he said to the mouse as he waved his hands in the air. The mouse rolled his eyes as Capper turned back and followed his guest. “Cause I'm the friend you need!”

Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow all then sang, “He's a friend”

“Quite a friend!” Rarity sang by herself

Then all but Twilight and Capper sang, “He's a friend indeed!” just as Capper slipped by them and opened the door into the windmill.

As Capper allowed the seven in, “Welcome, my little ladies, to my little manor.” he said as he showed his place. It was a one-room apartment more or less, as in the kitchen, the living area, bedroom, a small library, in fact, it was like every type of the room sans the water closet all made one room.

Rarity was slightly taken aback at the mess of the place. “Ooh! A sort of a roco-hobo-Bohemian hodgepodge,” she said in an attempt to find a tactful way to describe the apartment. 

Capper chuckled a little nervously, “Apologies for the state of my litter box. I wasn't expecting guests.” he confessed to his guests as he made room at his table and pulled out a couple of spare chairs.

“Yeah… I have an unmarried older brother.” Applejack commented as she leaned against one of the walls. 

“So what can I get you before we start our trek for the Aas, you all look like you haven’t had anything to drink for a while.” As everyone went to the table, Twilight looked at the bookshelf that was Capper’s library, where she saw a book with the title, ‘The Southern Lands and Peoples’. Twilight reached out to grab the book.





About half an hour later in the marketplace, the beast-men that made up the Storm King’s army were basically tearing the marketplace apart as the Klughtowners were running and hiding from them, screaming all the way. One of the stand-owners, “Please! Please! I don't know anything!” he screamed as his stand was thrown apart “MY CABBAGES!!!”

Walking in the center of the street were Tempest and Grubber. “You really think they actually made it into the city?” Grubber asked. Tempest suddenly stopped and sniffed the air. She then turned to his right and spotted the comb that Pinkie tried to barter with. Grubber then saw the same comb. “Good call.” Grubber conceded.

Tempest cleared her throat which caused the beast-men to stop. “Attention!” she shouted which got everyone to look at her. “A little purple haired Mystican with metal wings passed this way. Tell me where she is,” she ordered. There was a pause.

“Or what?” the fish-man that Capper painted to fool everyone else asked as he (the fish-man) stepped up and crossed his arms. “Listen here Human, you think we're gonna fall for this again?” he asked as he stepped towards. Tempest was about to make some fish sticks but Grubber took hold of her hand which prompted her to stop and remained quiet as the fish-man slip. “I don't know what kinda scam you're workin' with Capper and the rest of your friends, but--” he continued.

"Friends?" Tempest asked cutting the fish-man off, but there was slight eye twitch and as she clutched her fist. 

The fish continued, “Poison or no poison, you're gonna pay!” he said as he was about to charge Tempest.

Grubber whistled, “Bad call, fishie.” 

Tempest grappled the fish-man and threw him around and in less than a second had him on the ground with his left arm pulled back almost to the point of popping the joint out of its socket. Grubber gave a slight laugh as did all the beast-men. Tempest then began to slowly twist the arm, “Now...about this... "Capper"...” she said slowly as lightning began to crackle in her forehead.  The fish-man meeped in fright.
> Escaping Klugetown
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

About half an hour later, back in Capper’s apartment, Capper got up from the table in utter disbelief as the others laughed at what seemed to have been a joke, “Stop playin' me! A sonic rainboom?” he asked not believing what he heard. “That's not a real thing!” he declared with near absolute certainty. He then leaned to Spike, “Is that a real thing?” he weakly asked.

Rainbow smirked as she heard the question. She got up from her chair and started to hover, “I'll show ya!” she offered as she was about to take to flight.

Capper placed his paws on her shoulders and more or less forced her feet to the ground. “Naw-naw-naw, I don't need you "sonic rainbooming" up in my place, thank you very much.” 

Suddenly he felt his left sleeve be pulled and then saw it was being stitched. “Whoa, hey, hold up now. Whoa.” he protested as he turned to see it was Rarity that was weaving her fingers in the air as her focus gem glowed. 

Rarity continued to levitate thread and needle and continued to fix up his coat. “Here you go. I do apologize. If we were back home, I could've done something truly fabulous.” she said as she finished with adding a couple of braze button.

Capper looked at his fixed up coat, “Okay…” he then took a step back, “What's the catch?” he asked as he squinted his eyes.

Rarity smiled and shook her head, “Nothing. After all that you've done for us, consider it a "thank you".” Rarity and gave him a kiss on his check.

Capper stepped away, “Oh. Uh, don't thank me. Really.” he said as he turned from her. 

Fluttershy then hovered over to Capper, “Someone hurt. An old friend?”

Capper turned from her and walked over to the table, “He never really was my friend.” Capper said weakly. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Fluttershy reached into one of Rarity’s pockets, “Fluttershy what has gotten into to you?” Rarity asked. 

“I looking for that gem . …” Fluttershy said as she found the gem and hovered over to Capper and showed the gem, “You don’t have to say a word, but letting others know your pain can help it feel.” She just looked at him with large open eyes.

Capper shrugged his shoulders and sighed, “Alright, since you’re so interested in my life story.” He then reached his right paw out and grasped it. His eyes went white before from them was a projection of city of anthropomorphic cats. The sky was slowly filling with the skyboats Tempest and the beastmen used. Some of them landing as the beastmen start to flood the city. The main focus was on a younger Capper with another cat that had gray fur with black stripes with a white underbelly and blue eyes, both hiding behind a food cart. “Come on, Capper.” the other cat said. 

“I wanna get a closer look at those ships, Chummer.” Capper retorted. The two were then spotted by one of the beastmen who charged them and tore the cart apart. The two yowled and ran away. 

After what felt like hours the two were hiding as the beastmen were loading a ship until they saw the landing gear hatch. 

About two or so hours later the two, having been quiet as mice managed to get to the deck as the ship they were on was boarded. There on the deck were anthropomorphic patriot pirates. As they fought the beastmen, the two cats sneaked on to the nearest ship, where they managed to stow away onto a second ship. 

After what seemed to be thirty minutes, “Rats, ugh. It’s always something…” came a female voice as a hatch was opened. Chummer then roared at the pirate parrot that revealed them. “D-Don’t come any closer! I’ll knock yer light’s out.” Chummer challenged before the pirate who held him by the fur of the back of his neck. 

“What in the sky is happening here?” the pirate that had Chummer ask.

Just then what seemed to be a sapient cloud with arms floated over, “Looks to me, Captain, that what you have here are a couple of Abyssinians that stowed away on the Storm King’s flagship and then this ship after the attack on their home.”

The captain looked Chummer in the eye, “Well, I’ve no use for stowaways” She started with a slight avail growl, but then soften as she let Chummer back to his feet. “But we can always use crewmates.” The two cats nodded to accept the implied offer. “Good kitties. Now hop to manning the wheel and get this to the front of the fleet!” she ordered. The two nodded and headed to ship’s steering. The two nodded and headed to the steering wheel. Just as they reached the wheel there was sudden darkness as the sky was covered by storm clouds.

There was then a flash of lightning as a skyboat that was much like Tempest’s but thrice it in size appeared. Capper and Chummer steered the boat they were on away as the larger pirate ship and the rest of the fleet. As the two continued their flight, they looked over their shoulders as they saw the rest of the Storm King’s fleet encircle the other ships, “We made it,” Capper commented.

“And it’s nothing but clear skies from here on in, buddy.” Chummer replied.

The image passed to be dawn the next day, as the skyboat was descending at an alarming rate into the ground, “Chummer! We’re sailing too low.” Capper shouted.

Chummer struggled to adjust the steering wheel, “I… gah… know… huhgh… I’m trying to… graddbe...right it.” Just then they hit one of the rocky pillars of the desert they were flying over, causing Chummer to be forced from the wheel. 

The two hugged each, holding each other in utter fright over their likely departure. “WE’RE GONNA CRASH!!!” they shouted just seconds before the skyboat crash-landed into the sand. While it didn’t come to an instant halt, the impact and the skidding along the sand caused the ship to break apart until it came to screeching stop. 

Once the two realized that they were alive, “Well, we won’t be using again.” Capper chimed. “We better get going, we got to find a place to hide and some food.” 

As Capper spoke Chummer looked over the wreckage, “Yay, yay, but maybe there’s something in this ship we can use to trade, some gold coins, a map to a buried treasure,” Chummer listed off until he spotted a lime-green rock about four times the size of paw on a chain, “Or some jewelry, this has gotta be worth somethin’.” Chummer surmised.

“Sure, let’s get something to cover ourselves from the sun and go.” Capper dismissed after he spied the rock that Chummer found.

Chummer laughed, “Don’t be like that, Capper, this here is our lucky charm.” Chummer patted his friend on the back as they found some white cloth that they made into some sort of ponchos as Chummer grabbed a bag to put the gem in. The two then began a track that seemed to last two days before they arrived at Kludgetown. As they came in, one of the stand owners shouted, “Fruits”, "Stange trinkets", "Rugs" 

As the two stopped next to a stand of fruits, "Where are we?" Capper asked.

"Klugetown," the vendor answered, "And that's all you'll get for free, you want something, you got to give something here." the vendor informed.

Capper then looked to his right, "What about that guy that just ran off?" Capper asked as he pointed.

"WHAT!!!" the vendor shouted as he grabbed a broom and ran after the 'thief'.

Capper took a couple of fruits and passed one to Chummer, "Might take some getting used to, but I like it." Capper commented. About an hour later the two were in what would become Capper's place but it was far more rundown as if it was some long-forgotten storage area. "Maybe I spoke too soon." Capper sighed as he planted himself on a crate. "I wish we were back in Abyssinia."

Chummer grabbed a cloth and used it to make a hammock of sorts. "We were a couple of lovable charming swift-paws orphan street urchins back there and did just fine there, we'll be just fine." Chummer then patted the pack he brought, "Besides someone is bound to pay a king's ransom for our lucky charm, we just have to find him."

The projection changed to be a montage of the two swindling, stealing, etc to get some food and money. As the two tried to make their ends met, in the background often there were eyes watching and scowling at the two. The montage ended as the sun had set with the two looking at a plate with little more than fish-heads and tail. "This place is merciless!" Chummer groaned with a sigh.

Capper leaned against the wall, "And those goons aren't as subtle as they think they are." He crossed his arms as he let Chummer eat, "We clearly ain't the only act in town. Someone is running this place."

Once Chummer finished his meal, "And you want to join them? Working for a crime boss?" he asked.

Capper shook his head, "No. We need to get out of here, but we also need resources." Capper then looked at the pack with the gem Chummer found, "And I think we have a way to get both at once." The following day as Capper and Chummer were walking they were talking louder than they usually do, "Did you see their faces?" Capper laughed.

Chummer laughed as well, "I know! I can't believe we pulled that off!" Just then three anthropomorphic mole rats in patched up black three-piece suites with short rim fedora stepped to be in front of the two. "Well, it took you guys long enough." Chummer joked before two of them grabbed the cats by their arms. 

After about thirty minutes the two cats were placed into two wooden chairs in front of a desk, seated was another mole rat with a top hat, "You two have been pretty busy in My Town." The forth mole rat tapped his claws. "The name's Verko, I own this town and every pickpocket here answers to me. Except you two." He then pointed at the two. "A couple of cats can't make it on the streets! You think that you can just waltz into..."

"Actually Mr. Verko, we're planning on waltzing out. We just need your help and we'll be out of your hair forever." Capper cut off

"Me help you? Why? What do I get out this?" Verko asked taken aback by the boldness of the cat.

"While I doubt I can appeal to your good nature to help out a couple of kid. But take that telescope and use that took out that window." As Capper spoke Verko reluctantly did. "Look to the rundown windmill, you're gonna see a small shiny prize." As Verko spotted the gem. "We've got a gem to sell. But as you see to get that little thing, you'll need someone as light as a cat to get it."

Verko turned back to Capper and Chummer, "You're selling it?" he asked in disbelief.

"We're looking for a few copper pieces..." Capper started.

"COPPER PIECES!!! That's the Misfortune Malachite, the Storm King would pay thousands of platinum pieces for it!" Verko said.

"Well it's your lucky day, you can have it for just an airship with all the trimmings, cannons, cannon balls, a few months worth of supplies, some weapons, tradable goods, clothes, and a few hundred gold pieces." Chummer listed off.

"And no questions asked," Capper added. 

Verko thought for a second before he reached out his paw, "You have a deal." Capper and then Chummer shook their hands with Verko.

That night as Capper and Chummer were back in their place, "You agree with what Verko said, about two cats not making it on the streets, but we've always had each other and we've made it on the streets." Chummer mused.

"I think Verko doesn't think the way we do. I think he thinks friends are a distraction and that without them one can be free, and only have to worry about yourself." Capper mused.

"...oh." Chummer mused.

"But that's a lonely life." Capper finished, "It's better that we have each other." 

"Me too," Chummer replied. "So where should we go next?"

"I'd like to find a place to call home. I don't want to run, steal, swindle. I just want to be." Capper answered.

Chummer had a slight laugh, "With a skyboat, we can make the whole world our home. And we'll become the most legendary thieves in the world. Yeah..." 

Capper turned his bed, "Yeah... but I'd rather just be us... friends." Capper then fell asleep.

The next morning at the docks Verko, three of his goons, met up with Chummer and Capper for the exchange, both cats had blue packs. "Well, boys? Is it everything you wanted?" Verko asked. 

"Yeah, it looks perfect. Everything two pirates could ask for." Capper said with a massive smile. 

Chummer then walked up to rope ladder, "I'll go check it out. When I gave the okay, Capper will give you the malachite." Everyone agreed and everyone waited for Chummer to give the go ahead.

After two minutes, "How's it's looking Chummer?" Capper asked. Just then the rope ladder came down. "What the..." he asked.

"What are trying to pull?" Verko asked. 

"Nothing!" Capper challenged, "I have the gem here..." Capper said as he reached into his bag and found that all he had was a green rock. "What..." he said as raised the rock and showed it. He threw the rock at Verko in a panic and ran to grab one of the ropes as Chummer began to steer the ship as it was taking off. "Chummer, Hold On! I'm coming!" Capper shouted as he started to climb up. "Chummer, please. Wait!" Once he was about to get onto the boat proper. "Stop the ship! Please!!" he pleaded.

"No!" Chummer answered, "Verko was right! Two cats can't make it on their own!" Before Capper could reply Chummer began to steer the ship so hard it tilted to the right and then to the left to high causing stuff to move along the deck. "You never wanted to be a thief!" He continued this until one of the oil lamps on the ship fell and shattered on the deck a starting a fire. As Capper was forced back and forth the red coat he presently wears was wrapped around his leg. Just as Chummer finished, Capper was holding on to the railing on the 'outside' side of the ship. Chummer walked up and looked down at Capper, "You shouldn't have come after me, Capper! We could've been FREE! We could've lived our own lives! We don't need each other." As Capper was trying to pull himself up. Chummer slammed his paws on Capper's "You were going to leave me. So I'm leaving you first." Chummer then pulled back as Capper lost his grip. All the while the skyboat was set ablaze. 

As the projected ended, “Woah,” Capper said as he stumbled back. “That…” he was cut off as Fluttershy hugged him.


"You poor thing. I'm so sorry." Fluttershy said as she held him.

After a minute Capper pulled away, “thanks.” he whispered. In a way, he felt better as a massive weight was lifted off of him, but only to realize there was something else weighing him down.

Twilight then slammed the book she was reading on the table and showed a map illustrated in the book while on the table was a copy she made of it. “We've been looking for the wrong queen!” She explained as she passed the book around, “We don't need the Queen of the Aas! We need the Queen of the Aasimars!”

“Oh! Oh, the Aasimars!” Capper said as he stepped back, “Now, the trouble with that is... no one knows... where they are…” he paused several times as if he was nervous about something.

“Mount Aris, you know that mountain right outside the window.” Pinkie said as she pointed out the window that faced to the south and called everyone’s attention to a very tall mountain. 

“Heh heh heh…” Capper laughed as he pulled at his coat collar.

“Alright we knew where to go, thank you for the use of your library,” she said as she picked up the copy of the map she made and left the book on the table. “Let's go, everybody.”

Capper gasped before he leaped to in the front of Twilight blocking her from the door. “Wait!” He shouted with a yowl in his throat. “You can't—you can't make it by y'allselves.” he stuttered as he started to noticeably sweat. “You need an airship!” he shouted. “And lucky for you, I can get you a ride.” He tried to offer.

Twilight’s focus gem glowed as she levitated and moved Capper to her left, “I think we can get there on our own.” she said as she sensed something was off about Capper at that moment.

As Twilight was about to reach the door, it opened to reveal an anthropomorphic naked mole rat in a tattered top hat and three-piece suit, Verko, “Here's Verko!” announced himself with a laugh, Twilight and the girls gasped as they backed away. 

“Hey, Boss…” Capper said as he tried to walk in front of his seven guests.

But Verko only thrust his right index finger into his chest, “Listen, boy, unless these Mysticans can shoot lasers out of their eyes, they ain’t going to settle your debt!” He said as he gave Capper the piece of paper that the feline gave the mouse that was at his home when they arrived. “But at least it will make a real down payment.” He chuckled as he rubbed his hands, “LOAD THEM UP!!” he shouted to his goons outside. “Brought the big cage.” 

Rarity was the first to put it all together, “You were... You were going to sell us?” she almost vomited the words. 

“Sold, sweetcheeks.” Verko corrected.

“We gotta get outta here!” Twilight said as she looked around for a means to escape. 

Before she found one there was the sound of a brawl that lasted a second from outside, only for Tempest to walk in with a chuckle. “Silly little princess,” she slowly stepped into Capper’s apartment showing that outside Verko’s goons were on the ground spasming as electricity pulsated their bodies. Tempest looked to Capper and then back to Twilight “Trusting strangers? Big mistake.” she hissed as she pushed Capper to the side and walked closer to Twilight.

“Hey listen here, These Mysticans are mine.” Verko challenged as he turned to see what happened to his goons and then to look at Tempest. 

“And the Storm King rewards his subjects who faithfully obey his demands, and he demands the six Mysticans..” she started before Verko grabbed her checks.

“Well, well, well, looks like the Storm King started his own collection.” the mole rat said as he looked at Tempest. “Too bad he started with a broken Magicborn with scowly eyes.” He mused. “I wonder what tricks do you know, my little magiy-wagiy?” he asked in a clearly patronizing way. 

“Bad move, moly-woly,” came Grubber from the doorway as Tempest scolded as her embedded broken focus gem in her forehead began to spark. Verko started to step back, but too late as electricity shot from the focus gem into the mole rat shocking him with blue lightning. Even as he fell and screamed in pain, Tempest didn’t let up her assault until Verko’s body stopped moving. Tempest took a break only to hear and see Twilight and her friends managed to get out of the window, Twilight, however, made the error to look back. Before Tempest could speak, “GET HER!!!!” Grubber shouted and the beastmen charged in. 

Twilight narrowly managed to get out before she could be grabbed by any of the beastmen. Once she got out of the window she was roped by Applejack from above and was pulled to be with the others. Applejack then grabbed her sword and hacked at the mill, sundering it so that the beastmen could not climb it. “GO! GO! GO!” Applejack ordered as she sheathed her blade and began to run along the rooftops towards the airship dock near the southern part of the city. After about a two minute run, as they arrived they spotted a ship about to take off. Applejack took out her rope again and managed to lasso it. She then tied the other end around her like a harness and grabbed Rarity and Spike. Rainbow grabbed Pinkie as she Fluttershy and Twilight dived to land on the stern of the ship’s deck. The four then pulled up Applejack, Rarity, and Spike. Once they were on board, Applejack tackled everyone into a corner hidden by a large number of crates. “Quiet” she whispered and everyone was silent. 

As the remained quite a male voice was heard, “Did you hear that?” he asked another person. The answer was a squawk. “Maybe,” the asker replied. “Could be rats. Would make for a nice change to the meal to have some meat, if we find them.”

Rarity jumped into Applejack’s arms in fright, “Rats?” she whispered. Applejack would have let her drop onto the deck, but at the moment, silence was golden.

❊ ❊ ❊

Back at the docks, a beastman dropped Capper on to the gangway of the dock to Tempest’s ship. Capper grunted as he got up only to face Tempest with Grubber at her right side, “Capper, was it?” she asked knowing full well the answer. Capper nodded. “Now... where are they going?” she said as her embedded fractured focus gem cracked as lightning formed.

Capper took a step back and held his paws up as to somewhat defend himself and to show he was not a threat. “Okay. No need for violence,” he said as he tried to defuse the situation. He looked to the horizon, “They're headed…” he started when he saw a flash of light on the new buttons on his coat. He paused for a second and then looked to the East, “... to Black Skull Island.” answered almost too swiftly and yet too slowly. After he gave his answer he turned to leave, but Tempest and Grubber shared a look as if neither believed the cat’s tongue. “So, uh, glad I could be of service to His Majesty, the Storm King. I'll just be on my way.” the cat continued to say as he walked away, but was stopped as the Beastmen blocked his path. He then yowled in freight as they grabbed him and turned him to face Tempest.

“When I get my Princess.” Tempest pointed out as she walked up and patted Capper on his head. She then turned back to her ship and started to board it, “Until then, your fate is still…” She paused as she was about to walk onto the ramp to the ship, “up in the air.” She finished as Grubber snickered and followed her. The beastmen then began to drag Capper onto the ship.

❊ ❊ ❊

At the northern side of the city, about the same time as Tempest’s ship had set off, Twilight’s skyboat landed in the sand. Flash jumped on the ground fully patched up. “Stygian, Pharynx, Gilda, keep an eye on Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Girls, stay on the ship. Sunburst, help Trixie find the components you’ll need for the stone to flesh spell for Starlight. Gabby, I’ll need a good cop to my bad cop to find Twilight.” He said as he took command.

“You’re not going to challenge that?” Gilda asked as she turned to the Elf Prince.

Pharynx looked at Flash and then back to Gilda, “Ha, and have the honor of my blood being the first his sword drinks, No thanks.” 

Gabby jumped off the skyboat and followed Flash into the town as Sunburst and Trixie followed. Flash's hand ready to draw his blade.
> Time to Be Awesome
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twenty minutes later, still in Klugetown, Flash dragged the fishman that Capper duped and Tempest threaten, “It’s the old rundown windmill!” The fish pleaded, “Please don’t let him kill me.” He whined as he reached out to Gabby. 

Gabby turned to Flash, “I think we got all we can get out of him.” She surmised. Flash released the fish and headed to Capper’s home as fast as he could with Gabby in tow. After about ten minutes they arrived at Capper’s home and saw the still groaning goons of Verko. Flash just walked by them into the windmill. Gabby was much more hesitant as she walked into what was Capper’s aboard. “What’s that smell?” She asked as she tried to cover her mouth.

“Something Magnus drilled into the ESM after his return. The books and legends don’t mention it, that all the muscles relax after death.” Flash said, mostly ignoring the elephant in the room, something that made Gabby vomit. All the while Flash continued to look around the apartment for some clue to find where Twilight was heading until he saw the book Twilight used. “Always trust a librarian to follow proper library etiquette.” As he took the book he noticed a page marker. He opened the book to that page and saw the rendering of Mount Aris with stylized winged humans around it. “Mount Aris is where we’re going.” He said as he shut the book and the placed it back on the shelf.

As he was about to leave, “Wait, what about…?” Gabby started to ask as she pointed to what Flash had ignored for the most part.

“Leave him for the local law enforcement,” Flash said and flew on ahead. Gabby followed both reluctant about not doing anything and relieved to be out of there.

About fifteen minutes later they arrived back at Twilight’s skyboat, with Sunburst, Trixie and Stygian casting the stone to flesh spell to set Starlight free from her petrified state. “Once Starlight is free, we’re heading south to Mount Aris.” Flash declared as he headed to the steering wheel to plot the route to their destination.

Gilda saw a shaking Gabby, “That bad, huh?” she asked while she walked over to her usually an ultra-cheerful friend.

“I’d rather just forget about it,” Gabby said while she looked down at the deck.





About half an hour later, back on the ship Twilight et al secretly boarded, the seven were still hiding as Applejack and Rainbow watched the beings that crewed the ship. The crew was made of anthropomorphic parrots, three had mostly green plumage, one had an eyepatch, one had a stub for a right hand, and the third had a metal upper beak. There was a forth parrot that had pink as the main color of feathers. All of them were dressed in grayish blue one-piece docker suits and seemed to be all moving boxes as if they were conducting an inventory. “They’re gonna find us sooner or later, Twilight.” Applejack told the others, “Should we just... ask 'em to take us to Mt. Aris?” she asked as turned to Twilight.

Twilight shook her head, “Last time we trusted somebody, he tried to sell us!” Twilight pointed out the most recent run-in. Just then a crate was moved by the parrot with a stub for his right hand. The girls gasped.

“Hey, Lix, Mullet, Murdock!” the stubbed hand parrot said. “Come check this out!” he called attention to.

The one with the eyepatch, “Looks like a pack of stowaways.” he said as he and the others joined with the stubbed hand parrot.

The pink one then spoke, “What are we s'posed to do with 'em?” revealing that she was female. The one with the metallic upper beak then squawked with a chuckle. “Amen to that Murdock.” the female nodded with her own chuckle. “So what do you say, Boyle?”

The recently identified Boyle looked towards Applejack, “I think we tie 'em up! You Lix?” Applejack was about to draw her sword.

The pink one, the recently identified Lix then squawked “I say we break their limbs.” This caused Rainbow to reach for his bow. “You, Mullet?” she said to the one with the eye patch.

“Scar’em…” the recently identified Mullet said as she looked to Rarity only for her to yelp in disgust. “...emotionally!” he finished as he shifted his gaze to Fluttershy only for the young woman to bury her face in her hair and sob. Just then Murdock squawked. The others turned to him, “You’re right, Murdock.” Mullet said as he turned to look to the stern and the steering wheel. “What say the book, Captain?” he asked. The four stepped to the side as the sound of wooden peg leg was heard walking. 

Spike stepped in front of the others and began to huff out smoke. All the while another female parrot walked to them. However, her main plumage was white. In her hands was a fairly large book with the same symbol on their uniform, the logo of the Storm King. She opened the black tome. She looked through the tome for a second, “His highest, the Lord of Rain and High Winds, the King of Storms, has wrote ‘Stowaways are to thrown overboard.’.” She paused as she closed the book. “And I, Captain Celaeno of the Rainbow Parrot, in accordance with the Storm King’s laws, sentence these stowaways to be thrown overboard.”  Just then Applejack, Rainbow, Spike, and Twilight were grabbed first. All the parrots started to chuckle until a whistle on the boat blew. “LUNCHTIME!!!” Celaeno shouted at the top of her lungs.

Before the seven stowaways knew it everyone was in the ship’s mess hall with plates full of slop in front of them and the crew. The crew started to eat as if nothing had happened. Applejack and Spike shrugged and started to eat the meal presented to them, Spike, however, ‘cooked’ his a little more. Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity just looked blankly at their meals. Twilight was utterly befuddled at the current state, but before she could ask, “Whoa whoa whoa! So you were about to toss us overboard and you stopped for a lunch break?” Rainbow asked. Twilight realized that this was not the time or place to question and so she scowled at Rainbow.

Boyle placed his spoon down as he turned to Twilight, “Storm King only allows one break a day for meals, then it's back to hauling goods.” he informed and returned to his meal.

After Spike finished his roasted slop, he looked around at the crew, “So you're just delivery guys?” 

Celaeno sigh as she pulled at her uniform, “Yeah, these uniforms aren't exactly doing us any favors.”

Twilight thought for a moment, she doubted that she could convince them to deliver them to Mount Aris, but perhaps there was a workaround, “Say is it possible for you to throw us overboard at Mount Aris?” She asked while batting her eyes with a smile.

Celaeno shook her head as she held up the tome, “Sorry. We do what the Storm King orders or we suffer his wrath.” she answered which caused Twilight to groan.

“Why?” Applejack asked as she finished the meal offered. 

“It’s a long story,” Lix answered with a sigh.

“Hey Fluttershy, still got Rarity’s Memory projection gem?” Applejack asked before she got up. Fluttershy tossed it over to her. “Thank you, Sugarcube.”  

Applejack then stepped to be on the table and drew her sword, she pierced the table with the tip and mounted the gem on the hilt. “This should shorten the telling by showing if yall are okay with it.” The five parrots all looked at each other and after a few seconds, they all silently agreed with shrugged shoulders. “This might not be pretty.” Soon all five of the parrot’s eyes started to glow as did the gem and then from the gem came a projection.





Celaeno and her present crew plus over two dozen or more parrots boarded a skyboat with the insignia of The Storm King. All of them were dressed as what most would expect pirates to be dressed, some armed with sabers and cutlasses, others had pistols. Celaeno herself had a large cylindrical gem replacing her lower right leg in lieu of the usual wooden one. One of the beastmen that maned the ship shouted, “SKY PIRATES!” 

“Not just any Sky Pirates, It’s the RAINBOW PARROTS!!!” Another shouted. The two on the deck looked at each other. The second one raised his hand and held up his finger,“ According to the Storm King’s law, a ship and its cargo should be defended until all crewmen are overboard or dead.” 

“Overboard?” The first beastman asked before he looked around the deck and noted that he and his crewmate were surrounded, outnumbered, unarmed and pretty much at the mercy of the pirates “Nevermind.” He whispered as Celaeno lowered her blade with a smirk on her face. “Let us get our parachutes and the ship and it’s cargo is all yours.” 

Celaeno lowered her blade and turned to her crew, “What say you, crew? Let them live?” she asked. 

“What’s the cargo?” Mullet asked on behave of the crew.

The beastmen looked at each other, “Paste for mounting wallpaper and sandbags.” the second one answered. 

As the parrots looked at each other, “You can fetch at least 500 storm bucks in Klugetown. That place needs all the fixing-up it can get.” the first beastman pointed out.

“YARRR!!!” all but Celaeno shouted in agreement. 

Celaeno tipped her hat, “Well looks like you both get to live. Get your parachutes and take your long walk.” she said. The two bolted, grabbed a set of parachutes and jumped overboard. As a few members of the crew took over the ship and turned it towards Klugetown, the rest including Celaeno went back to the ship they boarded from. Celaeno and Mullet leaned against the railing looking off the port side. “Not a bad haul, eh, Captain?” Mullet said. Celaeno nodded. “We’re a fine crew, surely there’s never been a finer band of pirates.” Mullet continued as the two glanced over to look at the crew, all of them dinged up, missing something, scared, branded, etc. “We might not be in the best of shape, but we ain’t broken yet.” 

Celaeno shook her head, “We ain’t just a crew, Mullet,” she said, “We’re family.” She then placed her hands on the ship. “And this is our home.”

Mullet nodded as he leaned against the mast, “Maybe, but our home needs repairs and we need to restock.” Mullet then sighed, “To keep flying we need to bag more than paste and sand. 500 storm bucks won’t last long.”

Celaeno nodded and then looked to the sky, “I can’t argue, scraping by just raiding these lone cargo haulers isn’t gonna last us long.” She then left the port side and headed to the steering wheel.

“We could go after bigger ships. Follow the more establish trade routes, find richer targets.” Mullet pointed out.

Celaeno nodded but stopped in her walk, “But those greater rewards only come with taking on greater risks, putting us all into greater danger.” She turned around to face Mullet, “We’ve lasted this long because we don’t go after those larger ships.” She then looked down to her gem peg leg. “We’ve had our run-ins with The Storm King when my mother was captain.” She then looked back up to Mullet who had placed his hand over his missing right eye. “I will not put my family in danger.” She said as she turned to her left and looked towards the sun.

Mullet shrugged his shoulders, “True, but it’s not like a better option is gonna fall out of the sky.” he joked.

Just as a bolt of lightning struck the ship but there was no burn mark, just a bottle full of lime green smoke. “Well talk about catching lightning in a bottle.” one of the crew members joked.

Celaeno picked up the bottle, “More like a message.” she surmised before she popped open the cork. 

The green mist then exited to show what looked like a skull-shaped black cloud with arms and eyes. “Captain Celaeno, I hope. My name is Strife, right-hand to the Storm King. You, your crew, and your whole fleet of you parrot pirates have been a thorn in the side of his grace for quite some time.” Strife started as if he was about to make a declaration of war. “And I wish to help.” he finished with some semblance of cheer. “Here’s my proposition.” He then held up a map with an X in between two pecks. “The Storm King is about to raid the capital of Abyssinia, the great city of Panthera. On his way back to his base, because his main ships will be loaded to the hull with Abyssinian treasure, his primary fleet will have to travel through this path. I can ensure you that the lookouts will not be watching. Of course, the choice is yours and you’ll want to make sure everyone is on board, but don’t take too much time to decide. The Storm King will launch the raid in five days. You have until the sixth night from now to be there. Just pour some water into the bottle when you have made your choice to attack, wine if not.”

Once Strife’s message ended, “Do you hear that?” one of the crew shouted.

“Yeah a real haul!” another shouted. Murdock then squawked in excitement.

“Hold your feathers!” Celaeno shouted and every bird turned to her. “This is a risky venture, even if we have the whole fleet it could result in every bird being killed.” Everyone dipped their heads for a second but then rose them each with a glimmer in their eye, ready for the challenge. Celaeno could not miss that. She shut her eyes for a second. “Boyle!” she shouted as she opened her eyes.

“Yes, Captain,” Boyle said as he saluted with his hook.

“Release the red wings, it’s time for the fleet to get together,” Celaeno said as she walked towards the bow of the ship.

“For the raid?” Boyle asked as he wasn’t sure if Celaeno agreed to the raid.

“No, a Fleet Vote.” Celaeno clarified as she turned back to look at the crew. “Every bird will be needed and every ship.” she pointed out. “However, I don’t want to do this. It could be a trap.” she expressed her concerns. She stopped and took a breath, “But this is not a matter that the captain alone can decide. Every bird must decide if they wish to do this.” she finished as she turned back to look off of the ship’s bow.

“Aye, Captain,” Boyle said as he ran over to a large bird cage on the ship. In the cage were a small flock of hawks with wings of red colored feathers. He opened the cage and the hawks flew off each heading in different directions.

Hours later as the sun was setting, a small fleet of skyboats had roped themselves together. All the ships’ crews were on Celaeno’s ship and Celaeno had just finished describing Strife’s offer. “Now the only way to accomplish this raid, be it a trap or not, is for us all to be there. Now comes the vote. Each of you has a black pebble and a white one. Place the black one in the jar if no. White if yet.” Celaeno walked over to the jar and opened the lid. One by one the parrots each placed their white pebble until it was finally it was Celaeno’s turn. “The crews have spoken,” she said as she closed the jar without putting either of her pebbles in. 

Days and nights later just as the entire fleet of the Celaeno’s pirates waited to spring their trap on the Storm King, Celaeno looked on at the gathered ships from her ship. She didn’t say anything, knowing that Mullet, who was at the helm, would steer the ship so that it would stealthily approach the Storm King’s main fleet, as would every other helmsman on the other ships. About a few minutes later as the first of the Storm King’s fleet was about to enter the path, Celaeno turned to her crew who would board the ships. “Remember the plan, pick a ship, hijack and make to the rendezvous point. I’d rather have a full crew back home then ships full of all the money in the world and no one to share them with,” she said calmly as she walked among the crew. “So stay sharp.”

As the Storm King’s fleet came fully into the path, Celaeno sent out a falcon with black wings, signaling to the other pirate ships to spring their trap. Within minutes they had started their assault, seizing several of the ships, binding and sending the beastmen crew adrift in one lifeboat per ship. Back on Celaeno’s ship, the captain grinned as she watched the Storm King’s prized main fleet scatter in confusion. “Mullet!” she shouted as she turned to the steering wheel, “Take us to the flagship, we have a passenger to pick up!” 

After arriving at the port side of the Storm King’s flagship, a handful of the pirates managed to swing over with Strife making a mad dash to reach their ship. From the flagship, the Storm King roared, “YOU CAN’T DO THIS!” 

“I ready have, your grace.” Strife mocked as he managed to get on board. Strife then turned to Celaeno, “Oh, Captain, my captain, you’re timing is impeccable.” he said with a slight bow, or rather a nod. “Shall we disembark?” he asked.

“Mullet, take us away,” Celaeno ordered. “We got to get as far away as possible. We can’t let that the Storm King’s flagship overtake us! Full Speed!” she emphasized as she walked towards her guest. Every other bird went to the posts to get the ship going as fast as possible. 

Strife looked back to the ship he left from, “You don’t need to worry, captain. I personally saw to the ship’s sabotage before your attack. The Storm King will not be able to give chase. We’re safe.” he said as the pirate fleet sailed off.

About an hour or so later, as the crew was celebrating the haul, some tossing the gold coins, while others were trying to swim in the piles of bounty, all was blissful.  Celaeno looked to Strife, “Looks like your plan worked out well for my crew, this is the biggest haul we ever had.”

“I’m glad you trusted my plan and that I could trust you with the plan.” Strife said with a nod and smile. “I understand that you were worried about the risks, but with how everything has played out, no one can argue it’s paid off.” He continued as the two walked, well hover in Strife’s case, on the deck during the celebration. 

“Cap’n!” a member of Celaeno’s crew shouted as he rushed over with an item covered in a white cloth in his hand. “Take a look at this,” he asked as Celaeno turned and he revealed the Misfortune Malachite.

Celaeno whistled at the sight of the gem, “That’s a beauty.” she commented.

“Well, well, looks like The Storm King couldn’t keep it after all.” Strife said as he hovered to look at the gem. As Celaeno turned to look at him and just before she could question. “The Misfortune Malachite.” he identified the gem. “The Abyssinians believe that it contains great power but will bring ruin to those that don’t have the right to use it. The Storm King desired it, now it’s yours to do with as you please.” 

Celaeno looked back to the gemstone, and then to her crew, “Mullet take us to Lix’s ship. We’re gonna empty it, then have it turned around and sent towards Abyssinia. Make sure it crashes where it can be found.” she ordered as she wrapped the gem in the white cloth again and headed to the other side of the ship.

“WHAT?!” Strife asked in utter disbelief as he hovered behind her.

As Celaeno walked, “I didn’t trust magic before and if the tale is true, I ain't risking it on my family.” Strife could only sigh and accept Celaeno’s order. Within a minute Mullet had gotten the ship to go alongside the one Lix was at the helm of. Celaeno and Strife swung/leaped over, “Ahoy, Lix!” Celaeno declared as she made her presence known.

“Ahoy, Captain,” Lix replied. “Only two things to report.” she continued not leaving her post or missing a beat. “Clear skies ahead and heard some scratching from below decks earlier. Rats, I reckon.”

“Rats, ugh. It’s always something…” Celaeno groaned as she opened the hatch. Chummer then roared at her as he had revealed himself and Capper. “D-Don’t come any closer! I’ll knock yer light’s out.” Chummer challenged, even though the pirate was holding him up by the scruff of his neck.

“What in the sky is happening here?” Celaeno asked as she looked around to her crew present and the two cats.
Strife then floated over, “Looks to me, Captain, that what you have here are a couple of Abyssinians that stowed away on the Storm King’s flagship and then this ship after the attack on their home.”

Celaeno looked Chummer in the eye, “Well, I’ve no use for stowaways” She started with a slight avail growl, but then soften as she let Chummer back to his feet. “But we can always use crewmates.” The two cats nodded to accept the implied offer. “Good kitties. Now hop to manning the wheel and get this to the front of the fleet!” she ordered. The two nodded and headed to ship’s steering wheel. 

“Why are letting them stay?” Strife asked as he turned to Celaeno.

“Those kids are far from home with only each other, and no one else to look after them. They could use some friends.” Celaeno answered with just a smile.

Strife was utterly befuddled at that, “But they are not your…” then, as the two cats reached the wheel, there was sudden darkness as the sky was covered by storm clouds. “What is this darkness?” Strife panicked.

“A storm?” Celaeno asked before she was answered with a flash of lightning as the Storm King’s flagship appeared. “No, The Storm King.” she corrected herself in fright before Strife could as he was still in a panic. Swiftly she, Lix and Strife then left to get on her flagship, just as the rest of his fleet arrived and fired arching cables into the hulls Celaeno’s ships. The rest of the Storm King’s fleet was able to board and siege the rest of her own as they were escaping. “MULLET, GET US OUT OF HERE!!!” she shouted. Just then her ship was struck by an anchoring cable in the rudder and then again in the hull of the flagship. “Blast!” she cursed just before it started being pulled towards the attacking ship. Within in a handful of seconds, the Storm King was able to effortlessly move from his ship onto Celaeno’s ship with his arms crossed behind his back.

The Storm King looked around as Celaeno’s crew drew their weapons, he shook his head with a chuckle before he unfolds his arms. “Considering my boys haven’t plucked and tarred you yet, I can only conclude that you birds aren’t the usual lot my storm guards tend to see up here.” He then raised is his left hand and drew a lightning bolt from the sky. It crashed it his palm before being sent through to his right hand, sending a series of bolts out that shocked the crew and forced them to drop to their knees. He then turned his attention to Strife as his soldiers, including Grubber, boarded. The Storm King stroke his chin, “Not the longest-lived escaped, was it?” he asked the sapient cloud. As the boarding crew clasped iron cuffs around the pirates' wrists and ankles with chains attached to iron-balls, Grubber clasped a similar one onto Strife and place his iron-ball on the railing of the ship’s side.

Strife took a second to look around before he responded, “I would have to conclude that 1) you repaired the ship faster than I calculated, 2) I have been replaced and 3) that this marks the end of our relationship.”. The Storm King nodded with that seems to be a blank expression on his face. “I hope that there aren’t any hard feelings?” he asked.
Grubber tapped on the iron ball, “That wouldn’t, thtrictly thpeaking, be true, Thtrife.” Grubber said as he rolled the ball off the railing of the ship, taking Strife with it as he plummeted to his death. 

After Strife’s cry was lost to the winds, the Storm King sighed, “I hope you weren’t planning to add him to your crew, I did that once, and we all know how that ended.” he said as if he was having a nice conversation over a spot of tea with Celaeno. “But now to business, Captain Celaeno.” He said as he focused on the female captain. He set her free from her irons, then took a look at her crystal peg-leg before smirking. “I got to commend you, only attacking ships on the very edge of my realm and living off of that. Sooner or later it would have widdled my fleet down to when… Well, I’ll leave that your imagination.” the Storm King seemed to be complementing Celaeno. “Now here’s the deal, you’re the most useful to me as a part of my fleet, as a captain of one of my ships, crewed by a squad of my storm guards of course…” he started his offer.
“I’m not leaving my family.” Celaeno cut him off.  “And we’re not hauling your freight,” she added before the Storm King could present the offer.

“Well then…” the Storm King started.

“One of the thipth ith getting away!” Grubber shouted interrupting the king as he pointed out to the ship Capper and Chummer were on. “Thhoot it down!” he ordered on the Storm King’s behest. 

As one of the Storm guards prepared to fire one of the pirate’s few cannons, Celaeno ran over and tackled him causing him to miss his chance to hit the ship while it was still in range. Celaeno smiled and had a small laugh. However, it was short lived as she heard the slow clap of one pair of hands. She got up and saw it was the Storm King who was clapping. Once he finished, two storm guards grabbed her by her arms. “Well done, making sure I can’t get them all. You’re a lot better captain than your mother was.”

“Don’t you dare talk about my mother,” Celaeno growled. 

The Storm King snickered. “Or what? If you haven't noticed you and your entire crew are chain up and are currently being held down by large hairy, muscular beastmen. Though I suppose for some of you that wouldn’t be any different a usual Friday night, right?” He burst out laughing at his own joke while Celaeno continued to snarl. 

“You consider it a compliment, you know.” The Storm King said as he turned back to the captain. “I spent years trying to catch your mother because she wasn’t afraid to cut her loss and abandon her crewmates.” He stood up and gazed about at the armada of pirates that surrounded him. “And last time I checked, her crew was never realistic of yours. That’s the difference between you and her. She was out for herself, you inspire loyalty. In my business loyalty is a very lucrative thing.” He kneeled down and stared up into Celaeno eyes, not unlike he was proposing marriage. “So what do you say we put all those wars of the past behind us, and start getting rich together?”

The only answer he received was the pirate captain spitting in his face. He wiped it off with the back of his hand. “You are definitely Harpie’s daughter.” The Storm King got back to his feet, “Grubber, how many of these pirate ships would we need?” he asked as he turned away from Celaeno.

Grubber took out an abacus and started sliding the stones in it until he had one stone in the top left side separate from the others, “One.” he answered. 

Celaeno’s eyes widened in terror as it began to dawn on her what was in the Storm King’s mind. “And how many do we need to manage the one ship?” the Storm King asked. 

Grubber started to calculate again, after a few seconds. “Four.”

The Storm King then walked over to the chained crew members. “Two,” he said as he pointed to Mullet as he walked by, “Three,” he said as he pointed to Lix. “Four,” he said as he stopped at Murdock. The bird then squawked. The Storm King gave an unsure look. “Um… five,” he said as he pointed to Boyle. “Well let’s see these birdies fly,” he said as the rest of the crew, still clapped in irons, were thrown overboard.    





The projection then ended. Applejack took the memory gem off her hilt and passed to Rarity and put her sword back into her stealth. “Wow… that can’t have been easy on yall,” she said as she walked over to Celaeno and gave her a hug. After a second, Applejack ended the hug. “Ah can’t bring your crew, back, Ah can’t restore what ya lost because of the Storm King. But if my suspensions based on what we just saw are right, it’s only a matter of time before he throws you overboard too.” Applejack said. She then held out her hand, “But there is a way out, take a chance and help us stop the Storm King, it might mean you could die, but at least you can die free. And if we succeed, on my honor as a paladin, Ah can get you a letter of Mark.” the birds look at Applejack and then looked down, Celaeno the most defeated. “Yall can’t expect to go back to how it was before, I know it means you’ll have to take the knee to the Mystican Princesses, but if don’t you’ll be hauling freight until the Storm King’s done with yah.” Applejack tried to argue. Seeing that she was getting nowhere, she walked over to Rainbow and tapped her on the shoulder.  

Rainbow looked to Applejack and there was a second of silence before Rainbow’s lips started to curve as she gave a small dip of her head. Applejack then went back to her seat as Rainbow turned her attention to the parrots. “Look, you birds gotta choice to make,” Rainbow said as she got up and hovered. She flew from her seat to look Celaeno in the eye, “You could let some marauder tell you how to live your lives, or…” she then flew to the back of the hall which was only a few feet behind Celaeno. There on the wall was a picture of the Storm King. Rainbow pulled it off of the wall reveal a black flag with a white parrot skull on a set of crossed bones. “...you could be awesome again!” she shouted as she returned to the table to be on the opposite end from  Celaeno.

Twilight looked around as if she was starting to hear something. Her eyes then widen as she saw Rainbow take a breath just as Applejack started tapping on the table. “Rainbow Dash, this really isn't a good time for a—” she started but was cut off in less than a beat.

“I know the world can get you down” Rainbow sang as the song in her heart started to express itself.

“—song.” Twilight finished with a groan and facepalmed herself, “it’s not even Musical Thursday.” she muttered under her breath.

“Things don't work out quite the way that you thought
Feeling like all your best days are done
Your fears and doubts are all you've got
But there's a light shining deep inside
Beneath those fears and doubts, so just squash 'em
And let it shine for all the world to see
That it is time, yeah, time to be awesome.” As Rainbow sang she started to walk from the end of the table towards the other. As she sang ‘There’s a light’, she moved her hands which caused her body to glow brighter. She continued to walk on the table, as she said ‘squash ‘em’ she compounded her point by stomping on a wooden mug squashing it. She then flew to the back of the ship and pulled a curtain with the logo of the Storm King and revealed a portrait of the crew before their raid on the Storm King’s main fleet, hinting to what they could be.

Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Spike started to pat on the table as they sang, “Ah, ah, ah-ah, awesome!
It's time to be so awesome!
Ah, ah, ah-ah, awesome!
It's time to be so awesome!” as they sang all but Twilight and Celaeno joined in. Twilight just shook her head, as Celaeno looked from her meal before she threw her spoon at the table.

“You've no idea how hard it's been,
This dull routine we've been forced to do.” Celaeno sang as she threw her dish to the side as she turned to get out of her chair and look at the picture of how she was.

“Don't let them rob you of who you are
Be awesome, it's all up to you” Rainbow hovered to her and gave her the hat she wore. Celaeno accepted it but didn’t put it on yet.

Celaeno looked to her hat and thought back on her life, “I feel the light stirring deep inside
It's like a tale still yet to be told.” she sang as she put the hat back on her head.

“And now it's time to break the shackles free
And start living like the brave and the bold!” Rainbow and Celaeno sang the rest of the crew got up and went to a locker in the room revealing their old gear.

“It's time to be awesome!
Let loose, be true, so awesome!
It's time to be awesome!
Go big, be you, so awesome!” Everyone joined as the parrots put on their old gear and headed to the deck.

“We used to soar through the clouds in the skies” Mullet sang as he got onto the rigging.

“Elaborate schemes we would love to devise,” Lix sang as she looked at Twilight’s map and made some modifications to show the best course to Mt. Aris.

“We rescued our treasure and stored it away,” Boyle sang as he came up with a chest and have slide along the deck to be in front of Celaeno.

“Saving those gemstones for a rainy day.” Celaeno sang as she opened the chest and showed them to the guest. 

“We see that light filling up our skies,” everyone sang as with most noticeable person being Celaeno walking to the very bow of her ship.

“So take the Storm King's orders and toss 'em,” Rainbow sang as she handed Celaeno the Storm King’s rulebook. Celaeno then threw the book as far and as hard as she could.

As everyone watched the book plummet, “'Cause it's the time to let our colors fly”, everyone sang.

Celaeno turned to face her crew and guest and with a massive smile on her face, “Hey, scallywags, it's time to be awesome!” she sang.

“Hey! 
Hey! 
Hey! 
Hey!” Everyone sang after a few beats in between the ‘hey’s. After the last ‘hey’, 

Celaeno nodded to her crew as she went to the steering wheel, “Come on! Let's show these land lovers how it's done!” she ordered as the crew as they pulled a set of ropes. This caused the cover on top of the ship’s balloon that kept it afloat and revealed that there were sails of a wide away of colors of the spectrum of visible light. Of the Mysticans, only Twilight, didn’t ‘ooh’ or ‘ah’ at the sight.

Rainbow hovered over to Celaeno and punched her in the upper arm, “Awesome! I knew you had it in ya!” Rainbow then looked in front of her, “And now for the finishing touch!” then bolted to fly and began to build momentum as she continued to fly around the ship.

Everyone seemed to be at a loss of what Rainbow was doing until Pinkie started to chant, “Rainboom! Rainboom! Rainboom!” Twilight’s eyes widen in terror as and before she could protest Rainbow Dash’s mach cone broke as she broke the sound barrier causing a rainboom as she continued to fly laughing all the while as she circled the ship several times in every way before she landed leaving everyone else speechless. While most cheered, Twilight hung her head and shock it.





To the east, Tempest’s ship was flying towards Black Skull Island to the south-east of Klugetown. At the wheel was Grubber as he looked around before he decided to have a slice of cake. As he was about to bit into it, he stopped as he heard a sonic boom. He looked up and saw the rainbow circle made by the Sonic Rainboom around the SS Rainbow Parrot, “HEY! Looka that rainbow! Looka that rainbow! Whoa, that'th so cool!” he shouted as everyone turned to 

Tempest was for a second in utter awe of the sight.“Yeah. Of them to alert us. Funny, though.” Tempest then turned to Capper, “They don't seem to be heading to Black Skull Island.”

Capper took a step back, “Like "ha ha" funny or... haha…” he started to nervously laugh.

Grubber then left the steering wheel as Tempest took. He rushed to the ship’s armory and be began to arm the beastmen. While this happened. Capper turned to Tempest. “Ha..ha…” he tried to laugh only to rendered silent with a bemused glance as Tempest piloted her ship to their quarry.





Farther north, at Twilight’s ship, Starlight was free and was vomiting as a side effect of the spell. She looked up from her recent vomit to see the rainboom’s circle. “THERE!” she shouted as she called attention to it. 

“We’re coming, Twilight,” Flash whispered to himself as he steered the ship to their target.
> Another Escape
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back on the SS Rainbow Parrot, Rainbow and Celaeno clashed a couple of swords causing a clang. The two then lowered their swords as they shared a laugh while most of the others cheered on. Just as they finished, Murdock then started to squawk and ring a bell. Everyone turned to see Tempest’s ship heading towards them, “Storm guards! Looks like they found you!” Celaeno exclaimed as everything dawned on everyone.

Twilight went closer to the side, “Not just any storm guards, if that what’s their name, that’s Tempest Shadow’s ship!” she explained.

Celaeno nodded before she turned to the crew, “Secure the rigging! Lock down the cargo! Everyone, prepare to be boarded!” she ordered as Boyle opened a hatch to the cargo hold as he prompted the seven to get down into the ship’s cargo hold.

As Boyle shut the hatch, Rainbow looked at the others, “Ya think she saw my sonic rainboom?” she asked weakly. Twilight walked up to her and just glared at the elementalist. Everyone saw Twilight’s shaking left hand as it was clear that she wanted to slap Rainbow across the face. Rainbow was spared because the haul was then penetrated with a couple of boarding cable hooks. The girls screamed and Spike gave a ‘whoa’ as they lost their balance.

After almost two minutes, a boarding plank was lowered on Celaeno’s ship only for Tempest to walk across it with her hands crossed behind her back. Following her was Grubber, Capper and a handful of Storm guards, with the rest on still on Tempest’s ship. Tempest looked at Celaeno and her crew, “Why are you out of uniform?” she asked flatly. 

Grubber pulled out a calendar, “Well it ith Cauthual Friday.” Grubber pointed out.

Tempest nodded, “Fair enough,” she mused. “A couple hours ago, back in Klugetown, six Mysticans, of that group a Demigoddess Princess, two Earthborns, two Skyborns, a Magicborn, all accompanied with a dragon was spotted and managed to get passage on a ship. Your ship was one of the few of ships that took off at that time.” Tempest said as she walked on the ship as if she was the owner. “So I am going to ask this once if you are truthful you can go about your business, if not.” Tempest’s forehead began to spark lightning, “Well, I’ll that to your imagination.” Tempest smirked as all but Celaeno took a step back. “Where is the Mystican Princess?”

Celaeno gave a ‘hum’, “Princess?” she asked before she walked over to a copy of the ship’s cargo inventory. “Let’s see, ‘Prin-Cess, Prin-Cess…’ she muttered as she read the log. After a couple seconds of going through the whole thing, “Nope. All we're hauling is Storm King merchandise.” Murdock then squawked as if he was saying something.

Tempest looked down to her right and her eyes met Grubber’s. There was a slight frown on Grubber’s face. The frown was much like the one when Capper said that her quarry was heading to Black Skull Island. Tempest turned her attention back to Celaeno. “It seems that I haven’t made myself clear.” Tempest mused as she walked up to Celaeno, “Because, you do realize that if you were to shelter fugitives, the Storm King would be quiet…” she paused as lightning crackled from the embedded broken focus gem in her forehead down her left arm and exploded the crate right next to her. “explosive.”

“Captain!” Capper said as he finally recognized Celaeno and her crew. 

“Hey, kid, long time no see,” Celaeno said with some cheer as she spied the cat. “So what have you been up to?” she asked.

All the while in the cargo haul, Twilight was looking around as she was trying to find a way to escape. “We have to get off this ship before they tell Tempest we're here!” she whispered so that only her friends could hear.

“We helped them get their mojo back!” Rainbow countered as she hovered over to Twilight. “They're not gonna give us up!” she compounded believing in the parrots. 

“Capper tried to sell us after Rarity and you call trusted him.” Twilight pointed out. She then saw a flag rendering the Storm King, ropes, and a basket large enough to fit everyone. Twilight smiled, “I've got this!”

Back on deck, “How sweet,” Tempest cut the reunion short. She looked at each of the ship’s crew, “Now, I'm gonna count to three, and if you don't tell me where the princess is, your ship is going down.” she declared. She then raised her right hand, “One…” she started as she raised her index finger.

Below deck, Twilight gave Applejack a rope. She didn’t need to say anything as Applejack wouldn’t question her. 

Back on deck, Tempest slowly began to raise her middle finger, “...two…” Tempest paused as she looked around. She didn’t miss Celaeno reach for her sword with her left hand. Tempest then slowly raised her ring finger, “Three!” But before she could anything the was a sudden lever pull and door open. “What?” Tempest asked as she rushed over to the hatch to the cargo haul and saw that the trap door was open. Celaeno gave s slight sigh of relief.

After the trapdoor was open as the seven fell, “Oh, for Celestia's sake!!!” Rarity shouted, all the while Fluttershy screamed, and Pinkie seemed to be laughing like she was having the time of her life. After what seemed to be a few seconds, everyone and everything reach the velocity that Twilight was looking for. She then opened her wings and began levitating the basket, the flag, and rope to form a hot air balloon. Once that was constructed she levitated Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, and Spike into while forcing Fluttershy’s wings to start flapping and sent her towards the balloon and nodded Rainbow to fly with her. Once everyone was there she jumped into the balloon and forced Spike to breathe fire into the air that was caught by the sail actually making it a balloon. And just in the nick of time as they were only a handful of meters from the water’s surface. Everyone cheered as Twilight gave a sigh of relief. “Can we do that again?” Pinkie asked with a big ‘please-oh-please’ grin on her face.

“Maybe next month,” Applejack said as she patted Pinkie on the shoulder. Applejack turned to everyone else, “Next stop, Mount Aris!” she said as she pointed to the island a few miles to their south.





Back among the skyboats, the Storm guards gathered the crew and Capper into the center of the ship, all the while the guards grunted. Once the parrots and cat were mostly circled, Grubber walked up to Tempest and hand her the map that Twilight had made, “I found thith.” Grubber said as Tempest accepted it.

After a second of looking it over, “Capper, was it?” she asked as she raised her head and turned the map so that Capper could see it, “Last I checked Mount Aris was nowhere near Black Skull Island.”

Capper pulled at his jacket’s collar, “Really?” he asked before he started to stammer and give a nervous laugh before he could articulate again, “Mou- Mount Aris? I... Well, that's my mis— I didn't know that... Mount Ari... My bad, I didn't... That's my…” he continued to stutter and stammer. As he saw that Tempest’s expression was as bemused as ever. “I'm sorry, I'm very very sorry,” he said as he stepped back and ended up right next to Celaeno.

Tempest gave the map to Grubber and beckoned the hedgehog to go back to her ship’s steering wheel. “Now, about your betrayal…” she started as lightning crackled from her forehead down both her arms before shooting forward. As Tempest prepared to cast her spell, Celaeno and Capper as if by instinct looked at each other. No words were spoken. Just a silent nod before the took each other’s hands and closed their eyes.





Back on Twilight’s sky boat, miles to the north, all that everyone could see was that the skyboat with the rainbow-colored feather-like sails had lost some cargo a minute or two ago. As if by instinct Flash left the wheel and flew to the bow as if he was desperate to fly to the ships himself. Before he could get off the boat he was tackled by Gilda and Pharynx. “LET ME GO!!!” Flash ordered.

They said nothing as the sudden explosion of the ship that was at the center of the Sonic Rainboom was blown to little more than blanks and sheets. “NO!!!!” he screamed before he dropped to his knees, unable to let out his rage knowing that it would accomplish little good at best and more likely a lot of ill.
> One Small Thing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unbeknownst to everyone in the sky, Twilight et al floated to Mount Aris. There the balloon floated down and crashed near the top. “Thank Celestia we didn’t crash on at the bottom.” Rarity said as everyone got out of the balloon. 

“Ah’ll say, Ah’d probably have to carry yahr keister up all those stairs.” Applejack joked as she gave a small slap on Rarity’s rear. 

After Rarity yelped at the battery and rubbed her rear as if to massage a possible bruise, “Are you calling me fat?” she asked in annoyance.

Applejack shook her head with a smile, “If I was, I’d actually say it.” 

As everyone else had a laugh at Rarity’s expense as Twilight looked forward. There were two statues of what looked like humans with bird wings that seemed to have formed a partial arc way.”There it is!” Twilight shouted and dashed ahead of her crew as she was followed by the rest. As they passed the statues they found a city that seemed to have a slight birdcage theme but it was all in ruin, with cobwebs and massive amounts of dust about. Everyone was left speechless at the sight.

Rarity was the first to speak, “Are you sure this is the right place?”  she asked as she looked around.

Applejack cupped her hands around her mouth so that her voice could travel farther loader. She took a couple of steps in front of everyone and a breath, “HELLO?! IS ANYBODY HOME?!” she shouted so loud that it echoed throughout the empty city. She looked back to the others and shrugged her shoulders showing that she was at a loss.

Pinkie jumped ahead and looked inside a home, “No Aasimaries here!” she said as she looked in. She then started to pop from place to place covering the city in a matter of seconds as the others seemed to gather around a fountain in the center of the city. “Or here! Or here! Or here or here or here!” Pinkie shouted as she searched the city. She then manifested herself to right next to Twilight, “Waaaaaiiit!” she shouted as she looked at a small rock at Twilight’s feet. Pinkie then lowered herself and began to left the rock slowly. After she looked under it, “Nope!” she said as she let the rock drop. “This place is emp-ty!” Pinkie said with a smile.

Twilight looked around not believing what she saw, “But... Celestia... The map.” she stuttered in denial. “They have to be here,” she said as she began to run and look inside the buildings. After a few seconds, she sighed in defeat.

Spike took a step back and allowed his draconic eyes time to see through the fog and mist. He saw that this was not the product of neglect over years. No, this city was not just raided for pieces of gold coins, it was utterly sacked, but not recently. He then spotted something. He ran over and picked it up, it looked like one of the storm guards’ shoulder guards with the logo of the Storm King on it. “I think we very late,” he said as he showed it to the girls. “This place is a ghost town now.” he declared.

Just then they all heard a distant hum. Fluttershy gasped as she hid behind Rainbow. After a few seconds, they continued to hear more. Twilight then gasped as she followed the humming to one of the buildings. “It's coming from over there!” she shouted as she continued into the ruin. She then had her focus gem glow as they made their way through the ruin, all the while they heard the humming grow louder and louder. Soon they came across a large indoor pool with a large stone lily pad and flower in the center. Pinkie stepped in front of everyone and stepped on the edge of the pool causing some of the stone to crumble.

The voice stopped humming as it gasped, revealing that the owner was a woman around their age, “What was that?!” the owner then jumped into the water with a splash.

Pinkie reached out, “Hey! Wait up!” she called out to the person the lot heard. “Cannonball!” she shouted as she jumped into the pool with a loader splash.

Twilight and the rest walked into the shallow end of the pool, “Pinkie!” they all shouted as they looked for Pinkie in the water.

Pinkie them emerged from the water and spat out the water that she swallowed. “She’s gone!” Pinkie declared.

“How did you know the person was a ‘she’, the person might identify as a ‘he’.” Spike commented.  Everyone gave soft glares at Spike and Twilight smacked him up the backside of his head. “Ow.” Spike groaned as he rubbed the back of his head. Just then there was a sudden pop like a bathtub clog was removed from the drain.

Rarity sighed, “I hate epic adventures.” she proclaimed as the water started to spiral pulling them all in the process. Everyone sans Pinkie started to scream to various degrees but Pinkie was squealing in cheer like she was having the time of her life at a water-themed amusement park.

After a second or so they were all underwater, holding on to their breaths. Twilight was trying to focus her mind and conjure air bubbles of some short that would allow them to breathe underwater. But she was never submerged before she cast a spell. She was also starting to panic and soon she could not hold her breath, nor could any of the others. However,  just before they drifted into that good night of death, around their head the bubbles that Twilight tried to conjure appeared as each of them were able to catch their breaths.

“Way to leave it to the last minute, Twilight!” Pinkie declared as she tried to swim over to Twilight. 

“Um, sorry, but that was me?” came the voice that they heard humming earlier. They all turned to see a faint blue light, not unlike the bioluminescent end of angler fish’s rod. The light then came closer to them revealing a woman about their age. She was a mermaid with a light yellow fish’s tail, light blue hair that seemed to be like a wave in how it was combed. She wore a small light purple top like those worn by people that live mostly along a tropical coastline and around her waist was a light orange skirt like those woman sometimes wear over their swimsuits that are little more than cloth. 

Pinkie same up to the mermaid and took a breath, “We don’t have the time for another song.” Twilight cut Pinkie off. Pinkie pouted and huffed. “I am Princess Twilight Sparkle of Mystica, and these are my friends, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Spike and we’re looking for the Aasimars.” Twilight informed as she tried to swim to be in front of her friends to address the mermaid. The mermaid began to back away as if she was suspicious of the lot. “Wait, please. We need the help of their queen, Queen Novo. Our homeland was invaded by the Storm King.” Twilight pleaded.

“The Storm King?!” the mermaid asked as if she knew the title. She then came up to Twilight and would have been right in the  “I'm so glad I saved you guys! I'm totally taking you to my mom!” the mermaid was overly cheerful and excited as if the group had come across another Pinkie Pie. The mermaid grabbed Twilight by the hand and began to swim away as Twilight grabbed Pinkie, who grabbed Applejack, and so on with Spike grabbing Fluttershy’s hand. “She might have an idea!” she sang-song and giggled. 

After what seemed like an hour, the mermaid stopped at a large stone wall. “We're almost there!” she cheered with excitement that rivaled Pinkie. She then swam under the wall, followed by the seven. After they got around the wall they all saw what looked like a massive stalagnate with the center looking like a bulb. However, even from where they were they could see that it was absolutely beautiful. The seven were awestruck until as they got closer seeing that it was large enough to rival the city back on the top of the mountain.  After they swam through an entrance, “Mother, look what I found!” the mermaid said as she swam ahead to what seemed to be the throne room. Throughout the whole place were mermaids. Which surprised Twilight et al, because they were hoping to find a clue to locate the Aasimars. However, this was short lived as they saw the mermaid that the first mermaid called ‘mother’. She was mostly a grayish white in her skin and scale, with purple hair that was done up regally. She wore a white shirt more conservative then what the first mermaid wore a sat on the throne with eyes closed as if she knew enough to not need to see. “Is it another shell?” she asked. She didn’t get an answer at first, she opened her eyes reluctantly. “Because I am telling you if it is another shell, I am—:” as she spoke she looked and saw Twilight et al in the center of the room. She gasped in horror. “Princess Skystar, whatta you done?!” she asked as she turned back to the recently identified Skystar. “You know surface dwellers are forbidden here!” she scowled the younger mermaid. The queen then pointed to Twilight et al, “Guards!” she shouted and eight guards surrounded the seven lowering their spears to stab them. 

Skystar swam to be in front of her mother, the queen, “No no n-no! M-M-Mom, please!” she begged in an attempt to plead for the seven’s case. “It is so not like that!” she said as she swam to the guards. “The Storm King is trying to destroy their home, too!” she concluded the plea as she bowed her head. 

The guards looked to each other and then to the queen. The queen nodded and they pulled their weapons back. Twilight then swam ahead to speak with the queen, “I am Princess Twilight Sparkle of Mystica. My…” she paused as she was speaking to another royal figure, “entourage and I are seeking the Aasimars and their queen, Novo. Your grace, do you know what happened to them?” she asked. 

The queen returned to her throne and sat down on it and had a little chuckle, “Well, of course, I know. I'm the queen. I know everything.” she said as she shut her eyes.

Skystar swam next to Pinkie, “Oh, it's such a good story!” the princess cheered.

“Don't you dare tell them!” the queen ordered. 

However, Skystar didn’t obey as she went to one of the arches and waved her hand over. “Once upon a time, like, a while ago, the Aasimars did live on Mount Aris,” she said as a light blue light seemed to reveal lines that made the image of winged humans on flying around the mountain’s peak.

The queen facepalmed herself and groaned, “Did I not say don't tell them? But hey, I'm just the queen. Don't mind me.” she said as she waved her hands.

“Fine! I can't tell you!” Skystar groaned like a teen being lectured. That satisfied the queen. However, Skystar then swam to be among her seven guests. “But if I could tell you,” she said and then swam to another arch and blue lines appeared and presented an image of the Storm King, “I'd say that that brute did show up to steal their magic!” The queen could only shake her hand in frustration. Skystar then went over to another arch and placed her hand on it. The blue lines then showed a rendering of the queen putting an orb into a pod as she was surrounded by many mermaids, “But, to keep it out of his clutches, their brave and majestic leader, Queen Novo, hid them deep underwater where he could never go!” Skystar proclaimed as she directed everyone’s attention to the queen when she said ‘Queen Novo’.  The seven then turned back to Skystar, “We are... Well, we were the Aasimars!” Skystar shouted and proclaimed. “Ta-da!” she finished with a laugh as she swam over to the group. “But I totally did not tell you that!” she whispered to Applejack. The paladin only rolled her eyes.

The recently identified Queen Novo gave a sigh, “Well, the pearl is out the oyster now. I am Queen Novo.” she confirmed her daughter’s proclamation.

Applejack tried to swim forward, “So when the Storm King came, you just abandoned your entire city and fled?” the paladin asked.

Skystar waved her hands, “No. We didn't flee!” she said. “We swam! Y'know, in order to flee.” she ultimately admitted weakly. Before anyone could ask, “Oh! Can we show them?” Skystar asked as she went over to her mother. “Huh? These are the first guests we've had in, like, foreveeerrr!” she continued to beg overly excited. “Can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we?” she kept asking and asking like a child that sees something they want.

Novo looked up to above the throne, “Well, I suppose I should make sure it still works.” she said as she swam up to a pod being suspended from the ceiling with a chuckle or two. She placed her hand on the pod as she chuckled with Skystar giggling as she followed her mother, and from the pod came a massive pearl that had to have come from an oyster that was large enough for a person to be placed in fully. Novo waved her hands around it as she seemed to activate the magic within the pearl. “Careful, now,” Novo said as a pink mist floated through the water towards Twilight and company. This caused Skystar to squeal in delight.

As the mist made contact with the seven, the six girls’ legs seemed to merge as they were all transformed into mermaids. All of the cheering, ohing, awing, etc as they looked at their new forms. Applejack’s body seemed to take on a sturgeon like look as her armor seemed to fuse with the scales. Rainbow’s took the look of a marlin, Pinkie a clown fish, however Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight’s were harder to pin down other the vibrant colored fish. While this transformation was welcomed by the girls, Spike gave a groan, he was transformed into a carp

Twilight looked at what just happened and had a thought; if the orb could transform a demigod into a mermaid, then maybe it could be used to transform others into something that can liberate her people and end the Storm King’s terror. “This is amazing!” Twilight exclaimed before she swam to be right in Novo’s face. “With this, we could transform everybody at home into something powerful enough to face the Storm King's army!” Twilight offered.

Novo scowled as pushed Twilight out of her space, “Or it could end up in his greedy claws!” she stated as she knew things can go wrong. Before Twilight could protest as Novo returned the pearl to the pod. “I'm sorry about your home, honey.” Novo tried to offer some comfort. “I truly am.”  Novo’s demeanor then hardened, “But my responsibility is to protect my subjects. The pearl is not going anywhere.” she declared as Twilight seemed to have forced back by Novo’s words.

Twilight tried to form another idea, “But we've come all this way.” she settled on.

“That was your call.” Novo countered.

“And you can't just hide down here!” Twilight tried to argue.

“We can and we are.” Novo pointed out.

“Trapped forever!” Twilight tried to continue her argument.

“We’re not trapped, honey.” Novo countered.

“But there's so much you're missing!” Twilight tried to finish her argument for Novo to act.

Novo shrugged her shoulders, “We are one hundred percent okay with that!” she countered. Just then a small crab swam all the way from the other side passing by Rarity. Once it arrived at the throne it started to chitter. “Yes, Jamal?” Novo asked the crab. Jamal then chittered again. “Ooh! Time for my seaweed wrap. Later, girls!” Novo exclaimed as she was about to get up and swim away. Jamal then started to chitter again. “Yes, a massage, too. Mama needs her deep tissue.” Novo added before she was no longer in the room.

The seven looked to each other, “So that's it? We left home for nothin'?” Applejack asked as she saw how everything seemed to turn out. Everyone dipped their heads as if in defeat.

Skystar looked at her guest and could not help but feel sorrow for their situation as she frowned. She then gasped as a thought came to her, “Oh, my gosh! Best... idea!” she exclaimed as she waved her hands. “You can stay with us! Forever!” she gave her idea with a couple of laughs. Twilight et al, sans Pinkie, could only look at Skystar in utter befuddlement. Skystar didn’t seem phased as she swam around. “There are so many things we can do! We can make friendship bracelets out of shells and” she said as she pulled out a friendship bracelet. “... picture frames outta shells and…” she then seemed to summon a picture frame. Skystar then swam over to a set of wastebaskets adorned with shells. “decorative wastebaskets out of shells…” she said as she hugged the largest wastebasket. As she placed the basket down she swam back to the seven “Oh, I have so many projects that involve shells, haha!” she laughed with a large grin. She then looked down with a slightly sad smile. “Now I have someone new to share them with!” she stated. 
“I mean, aside from my friends, Shelly and Sheldon,” she said as she held out two hand size clam shells that had googly eyes attached to them. One in each hand, one purple one red. Everyone sans Pinkie and Applejack gave nervous smiles. Pinkie was just about to burst apart she was so excited.

Applejack sighed as she swam up to Skystar. “We the joke, Sugarcube. And they are quite the lookers, but we can't stay.” Applejack informed as she took Skystar’s hands. “We've gotta get back to our families and save them from the Storm King.”

Skystar smiled, “Oh, of course, you have your own friends back home.” she said as she started to back away with an understanding but also sad smile on her face. “It's fine. It's fine. Heh.” she laughed as she was starting to leave. She then looked to her shell, “They get jealous anyways. Heh. It's probably for the best.” she tried to laugh it off before she sighed and hung her head in defeat. “Yeah, I'll just, um…” the sorrow in her could not hide any longer as her voice revealed it. “get Mom to, uh, turn you back so you can go home,” she said and swam off.

Everyone looked down in guilt, “I know we have to go, but you guys saw how disappointed Princess Skystar was.” Pinkie said as she turned to look towards where Skystar swam too.

Twilight’s eyes shot out. “You’re right, Pinkie,” she said. “We still need to come up with a plan to get back and save our home. A few minutes won't make a huge difference.” Twilight explained. “And if there's anybody who can cram a lifetime of fun into a blink of an eye, it's Pinkie Pie!” Twilight said as she placed her hands on Pinkie’s shoulders. Pinkie squealed in delight that Twilight trusted her. “So do what you do best!” she ordered. Pinkie saluted and taking Spike, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow with her as she swam to catch up with Skystar. Twilight, however, stayed behind as she turned to look at where the pearl was housed.





Skystar was sniffling as she tried to hold back the tears, “It's probably for the best.” she lied to herself in an attempt to feel better.

“Hey, now, don't be sad
I know we cannot stay
But we've got a couple minutes
And a little time to play,” Pinkie sang as she swam to be in front of Skystar with Shelly and Sheldon in both of her hands. Skystar turned to see Pinkie drift back to her friends as she seemed to dance with just her torso. Skystar smiled as she finally had friends. But that was short-lived.

“I know you have important things
So it's okay, just go” Skystar sang as she turned away with her head down and eyes closed.

“But we can still pick one small, little thing
To do with you, y'know!” Pinkie said as she seemed to teleport in front of Skystar with the start of a friendship bracelet. “One small thing doesn't seem like a lot
One small thing, work with the time you've got
Soon, one small thing becomes two
After two, perhaps another few
Then one small thing is not so small
One small thing can be the biggest thing of all.” As Pinkie sang, she and the other started to make various crafts that Skystar wanted to make with them along with other simple activities that friends would engage in.

Skystar had a laugh as she was washed with joy, “All right now, since you're here
Let's see what we can do
Swim with the flow until you go
Together, me and you.” Skystar sang as she directed them to join and ride a passing school of fish.

Pinkie smirked as she pulled out a millennium of necklaces made of shell, “I've got necklaces for every fish
So what else do ya got?” she sang as she threw them and each seemed to find their way around the necks of all the merfolk.

Skystar the swam over to a handful of fairly large orange fish, “Well, we could play the bubblefish
You'll like this one a lot!” Skystar sang as she hugged one as did all but Pinkie, who hugged Spike.

“One small thing, it's a good place to start,” Pinkie and Skystar sang as they looked each other in the eye and squeezed the fishes in their arms causing the fish to spit out bubbles. While Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy echoed “Just one small thing.”
“One small thing and we don't seem so far apart,” Pinkie and Skystar sang as two seemed to dance inside a couple of the largest bubbles that formed as Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy echoed “Don't seem apart.”

“Soon, one small thing leads to more
It's so much more than there was before
Just one small thing, and you will see
The start of something big for you and me,” all of them sing as the merfolk started to gather around the scene and one by one then two by two then three by three, etc, joined in the fun.

“One small thing.” Pinkie sang as pointed to a very teeny tiny jellyfish that floated above her left hand.

“Just one small thing,” All the merfolk sang as if in a chorus.

“Or a tall thing,” Skystar sang as she pointed to jellyfish that seemed to stories tall.

“Just one tall thing”All the merfolk sang as if in a chorus.

“Or a sing thing.” Fluttershy sang as she seemed to be playing patty cake with a very young merchid.

“Just one sing-y thing,” All the merfolk sang as if in a chorus.

“Or a bling thing.” Rarity sang as she used a couple of shells as if they were fans in a dance.

“Just one bling-y thing.” All the merfolk sang as if in a chorus.

“A conga thing.” Applejack sang as she led a conga line and got Rarity to join in.

“Yeah, a conga thing.”All the merfolk sang as if in a chorus.

“Or a longah thing,” Rainbow said as she led more merfolk to join and make the conga line even longer.

“Just one longah thing.” All the merfolk sang as if in a chorus.

“A blue thing, true thing, you thing,” Pinkie sang as she and Skystar spiraled in the center of the circle that had formed as the merfolk echoed “Oooh-oooh.”

“A whee thing, sea thing, me thing.” Skystar sang as the two continued to spin in the center of this formed communal dance. This was followed by the merfolk seeming to echo “Oooh-oooh-oooh!”

“So many things and everything until our time is done
There's one small thing for each and everyone!” The two sang as they started to stop and look around to see that everyone was laughing in good faith. 

Skystar hugged Pinkie, “One small thing, so much we can create
You and me, we started something great
It's so amazing, look around
At all the happy sights and sounds
One small thing is big, it's true
You did this all for us
I just wish there was one small thing
An extra special kind of thing” she sang as she pulled from the hug and looked at all the joy that was felt by all the merfolk present. She soon spotted her mother who had watched all this enfold but had not joined in herself. Skystar then swam to her mother and then looked back to Pinkie et al.

“That we could do for you...
One small thing!” Skystar and the merfolk sang as Skystar twirled with Novo a couple of times as the song ended. 

After the song ended,“Woo!” Queen Novo cheered as she laughed with so much life and joy, it was as she was still flying free in the skies over her mountain. She then took a breath and looked at Skystar and then to Skystar’s guests. She gave a nod of consent as she closed her eyes and smiled. She raised her head, “Well, I guess there is one small thing we can do.” she said as she emphasized the word ‘one’ in her sentence. Skystar then hugged her mother, burying her head into Novo’s shoulder. Novo returned the hug all the while Spike and the girls cheered until an alarm started to blare. Everyone but Novo gasped in shock. They all turned to the palace where there was a clear red glow in the throne room. Novo swam followed by everyone, Skystar, and the Mysticans first. In the throne room, over the throne, where the Pearl of Transformation was housed, Twilight was entangled in the jellyfish tentacles themed cords as she grunting in pain as she reached for the pearl. Novo snarled at the sight and swam to collect the pearl. Before Twilight could protest. “You’re invited into my home, and you try to steal from me!” Novo shouted. She turned to look at Pinkie et al, “And you did all this so that she could take the pearl?!” she accused. Skystar swam up in an attempt to calm her mother. But before Skystar could say anything, “This is why we don't bring strangers into our home!” Novo told her. Novo then turned back to Twilight et al and scowled at them, “You don't deserve our help.” she said as she activated the pearl’s power.
> Open Up Your Eyes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Within a matter of minutes, Twilight et al managed to break the surface and breath. They soon spotted land and swam to shore. Once there they saw that they arrived at a land bridge between Mout Aris and the mainland. As they all started to catch their breaths and dry off as  Twilight walked a little farther inland than the rest, Applejack stood to be in between her and the rest, “Now before anyone says anything..” Applejack started but was cut off.

Twilight turned around, “I had to get that pearl. It was the only way to save Mystica!” Twilight shouted.

Applejack shook her head as she looked at the ground. “ And someone said something” she muttered. She sighed before she looked at Twilight, “Now, look Twi-” the paladin started.

Pinkie then stepped to be in front of the others, “'Cept it wasn't!” Pinkie started.

“Now let’s not antagonize the si…” Applejack tried to defuse the potentially explosive situation she saw forming.

“The Queen was going to say yes! We did what you told us and that's what made her realize we were worth saving!” Pinkie cut off Applejack as she continued to argue. She then gasped as she had the revelation. “You didn't really want us to show her the best time ever! You just wanted us to distract her!”

“Pinkie, let’s not throw accu…” Applejack said as she continued her attempts to defuse this bomb.

Twilight looked squarely at Pinkie, “I never would have done it, but this isn't Mystica!” she pointed out with more force than needed. “We can't just buy into every sob story we hear,” she said as she looked at Applejack and then Fluttershy, “dance around with con artists who will sell us into slavery,” she said as she looked at Rarity, “make rainbooms in the sky around pirates.” she said looking at Rainbow, “and expect everything to work out!” she said as she looked at Pinkie. “We can’t use what worked in Mystica!” Twilight exclaimed. “It's not enough! We are not enough!” 

Applejack turned back to Twilight, “Now there is some truth to that but now is not the…” the paladin tried to force some space between the exchanges as she saw things heating up.

Pinkie stepped around Applejack, “No, Twilight! We stuck together! We were gonna get the help we needed!” Pinkie shouted as she pointed to herself and then to the others. “The only thing that stopped us... was you!” she shouted as she pointed at Twilight.

Applejack tried to get in between the two, “Pinkie, sugarcube, please take a st…” the paladin pleaded.

Twilight then leaned forward to be in Pinkie’s face, “Well, I'm doing the best I can!” she shouted in Pinkie’s face. Twilight then turned away from Pinkie as she continued, “It's all on me. I'm the one Tempest wants.” She then started to walk away from the group. “I'm the last Princess!” she said as she looked towards the sky as she began to feel all the weight that Celestia must have bored for a thousand years

Applejack stepped in, “Now hold on a second, let’s not say something we’re gonna re…” she tried one last time to stop this from getting worse.

“You're also the only one who doesn't trust her friends!” Pinkie shouted at Twilight as she stepped around the paladin.

A cord snapped in Twilight’s mind. Her focus gem started to glow as she turned back to face Pinkie. “Well, maybe, I would've been better off without friends like you!!!!!!!!” As Twilight yelled her hair floated up like it was a fire with another set of her streaks in her hair. Pinke gasped as she fell backward in utter shock. As soon as Twilight saw Pinkie, her focus gem stopped glowing, her hair returned to normal. She realized what she was about to do. Twilight then leaped into the air and flew away tears falling like raindrops.

“TWILIGHT! WAIT!!” Spike yelled as he ran after her.

“Should we go after them?” Fluttershy asked. 

“I can’t talk with her right now.” Pinkie said as she hugged herself and rocked as Rarity tried to console her.





A few minutes later Spike found Twilight leaning over a rock weeping, “Twilight?” he asked as he stepped forward. He then rubbed his claw on her back in an attempt to comfort her. “It's okay. You'll figure it out.” He tried to offer some solace.

Twilight could not look at Spike as she continued to cry. “I ruined everything,” she said through her tears. “There's no chance to save Mystica now.” She concluded. She then felt the absence of Spike’s claw. “Spike?” she asked as she got up and turned to see Spike was grabbed by a storm guard by both the dragon’s neck and arm. She gasped. Her eyes, focus gem, and hands started to glow. "Spike!" Twilight shouted as she stepped forward to free him, only for the Storm Guard to push Spike's back forward while pulling back on his neck; Spike screamed and Twilight froze. Magic flared in Twilight's hands as the face of ceaseless anger overcame her. "Put him down now, or I'll show you exactly why your leader is so fixed on stealing my magic." The Storm Guard only chuckled in what seemed to be confidence spawn from either arrogance or ignorance. However, before she could attack a cage fell from above and trapped her. The cage was then pulled up into a skyboat. “Spiiiiiike!!!” she screamed.

The storm guard released Spike, letting him fall to the ground, and hopped onto the cage and climbed up the chain. “Twiliiiiiight!!!” Spike cried as the doors in the underbelly of the skyboat. 

After the cage was settled Twilight began to blast at the bars of the cage in a desperate attempt to break free. Blast after blast she sent, but to no avail. “It’s an adamantine-mithril-orichalcum alloy, it’s not gonna break any time soon.” came a voice that Twilight hoped to never hear again. She turned to see Tempest walk down a stairway and then along the floor. Tempest chuckled as she walked towards the trapped princess, “Aww, the "Princess of Friendship". With no friends!” she chuckled again. “And no way out.” as she spoke she walked around the caged Twilight, like an orca around a seal on a small sheet of ice.

“Why are you doing this?” Twilight asked. “You're a Mystican! A human! Just like me.” she tried to argue. 

Tempest growled as she pretty much rammed into the cage as lightning cracked from her forehead and struck the cage with a zap. Twilight yelped in response. “I'm nothing like you!” Tempest declared. “I'm more than you'll ever be!” she said as she started to turn away. Tempest started to slowly walk away from the cage, “It's time you learned a lesson
It's time that you understand
Don't ever count on anybody else
In this or any other land
I once hoped for friendship
To find a place among my kind
But those were the childish wishes
Of someone who was blind.” as Tempest walked forward towards one of the ‘walls’ of the ship she sang. 

Suddenly she turned to face Twilight, “Open up your eyes
See the world from where I stand
Me, among the mighty
You, caged at my command.
Open up your eyes
Give up your sweet fantasy land
It's time to grow up and get wise
Come now, little one, open up your eyes.” as she sang she slowly walked back to the cage. As she drew the end of the verse she took Twilight by the chin patronizingly.

Tempest’s eyes opened widely as she seemed to be casting a spell relating to sight. Twilight soon saw into Tempest’s memory. She was much younger, about the same age as Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, playing levitation ball with two other children, “We all start out the same
With simple naive trust
Shielded from the many ways
That life's not fair or just
But then there comes a moment
A simple truth that you must face
If you depend on others
You'll never find your place.” As Tempest’s voice continued to sing, the memory showed that the trio lost their ball, as it rolled into a cave that was boarded up. Tempest slipped through the planks and shortly found the ball but also found a small Stellar Ursula minor. Tempest dropped the ball and prepared to cast a spell to attack the bear in self-defense. The bear struck her across the forehead, shattering her focus gem, embedding some of it into her forehead and leaving the scar that she now processed on her face.

There was an instrumental as Twilight saw the two children playing levitation ball again, but then she saw Tempest walking as she looked downcast at the ground. Tempest tried to join her friends, but as she tried to levitate the ball electricity crackled and sparked and the ball exploded. The two friends began to step and then run away in fright. Tempest turned away and started to tear up before she ran away. 

As the young Tempest began to run away, Tempest’s voice was heard a new, “And as you take that first step
Upon a path that's all your own
You see it all so clearly
The best way to survive is all alone.” As the younger Tempest ran she hardened her heart and never looked back.

Tempest’s spell ended as she started the reframe again, “Open up your eyes
See the world from where I stand
Me, among the mighty
You, caged at my command
Open up your eyes
And behold the faded light
It's time to grow up and get wise
Come now, little one, open up your eyes
Open up your eyes!”As Tempest sang she left Twilight and headed back up to the top of the stairway she descended and pulled a lever that opened the roof of the room and then a second on which caused the cage to ascend again. Tempest continued to sing as both she and Twilight arrived at the deck of the ship.

As Tempest’s song ended as the two looked at Chantalot and the gathering smoke and storm clouds. Twilight looked to Tempest from her cage, “I am so sorry you felt so alone.” Twilight said as she tried to reach out to her. 

Tempest didn’t look to Twilight, her focus forward. “I saw the truth,” Tempest stated. “My "friends" abandoned me when times got tough,” she said before she finally turned to look at Twilight. “Looks like I'm not the only one.” Tempest then started towards the helm of her ship. “Face it, Princess. Friendship has failed you, too,” she said just as she was about to pass Twilight.

Twilight shook her head, “No, Tempest, you’re wrong.” she declared. “Friendship didn't fail me. I failed friendship.” Tempest paused for second and for a brief moment she was confused. But in the silence, she shook it off and continued on. Twilight looked forward as tears started to roll down her cheeks.





Back at the land bridge, shortly after Twilight was captured, everyone was at a loss of what to do. Fluttershy was the first to finally speak. She started with a sigh, “This whole journey was such a mistake.” she stated.

Applejack took a breath, “Ya think, maybe it's time we look for and talk with Twilight?” she asked as she looked at everyone.

“I’m ready.” Pinkie said with a slight spring in her step as she got up. 

As everyone else got to their feet, “TWILIGHT’S BEEN TAKEN!!!” Spike shouted as he ran to meet the group. Everyone was taken aback at the claim. As Spike tried to catch his breath, “Tempest found us and grabbed her! And took her on her ship!” Spike informed as he finally collected himself. The girls gasped at the news.

Rainbow reached for her bow, “We gotta get her back!” Rainbow said as she looked to her wings and started to bet them.

Fluttershy placed her hand on the elementalist’s shoulder. “How? We'll never catch up and we don’t have a way to fight them.” Rainbow groaned as she had to remember that fact.

“Well, good thing I happen to know of a group of mighty heroes that could handle this easily!” came a familiar voice. 

Everyone turned to see Capper looking down to them from atop a rock. Rarity partially shut her eyes, “Well! Look what the cat dragged in!” she exclaimed before she turned her nose up and turned to not face the con-cat, “Himself!”

Capper gave a guilty nervous laugh, “Should have seen that coming.” he muttered to himself. He then cleared his throat. “These heroes have faced the Storm King's army and escaped! I've seen them topple the streets of the roughest towns, break out of the tightest situations, and inspire others to join their cause!” He continued to talk about the heroes he met that could help them. Everyone, sans Applejack, ‘oohed’ in response.

Applejack gave a bemused expression, “Flattery will get you nowhere, you con. We know what we’ve done.” Applejack pointed out. Everyone took a second to think about what Applejack just said and then ‘awed’ in depression as they came to the same conclusion as the paladin.

Capper continued as he leaped from the rock to be right next to them. “They even escaped certain doom at the hands of Commander Tempest!”

Rainbow smirked and looked at her nails in an attempt to not look impressed with herself, “Yeah. That was pretty great.” she replied.

“Are you kidding me?!” asked another familiar voice. Everyone sans Capper turned to see Celaeno and her crew on the rock Capper was on. The five birds then jumped and landed right next to them “That was awesome!” Celaeno cheered as her crew cheered too. Murdock squawked as he pulled out a small arsenal of weapons.

Boyle then offered his hook hand towards Fluttershy, “Figured you could use a claw!” he exclaimed as Fluttershy shook it.

Celaeno drew her sword, “We're on board to help you fight the Storm King!” she proclaimed as every one of her crew held their weapons aloft. Celaeno then slowly lowered her sword, “Just not on board our... actual ship.” Celaeno confessed as everyone lowered their arms. 

“That crazy Tempest Shadows sunk our,” Mullet informed. “But you got back our argh! And we're ready to kick some booty.” Mullet shouted as he beat his chest. Everyone gave a hearty laugh. 

Just as everyone finished their laugh, they all saw bubbles near the surface as light yellow light broke the surface. In less then a second the light revealed itself to be Skystar in her Aasimar form. As she landed everyone was left utterly speechless at the sight. As Skystar landed. “Hellooooooo!!” she shouted. “Me again!” she giggled. She looked back to the water, “I'm gonna get so grounded, but I talked things over with Shelly and Sheldon,” she said as she pulled the shells out of her short’s pockets and put them back, “and they pointed out that you were just trying to help your friends and that what I really wanna do is help you. Especially ‘'cause ya know... one small thing…” she said as she looked to Pinkie. She then leaned in and whispered into the jester’s ear, “can make a really big difference!” she finished. Pinkie hugged her new friend and everyone welcomed their newest ally. 

Spike, however, looked at everything and everyone that had been gathered. “That’s it?” he asked. “We didn’t make friends with anybody else?” he asked which made everyone else chuckle nervously. “Well, this is just gonna go over swimmingly.” He groaned.

Capper patted Spike on the head, “Remember, beggars can’t be choosers.” he mocked the dragon. Capper then looked to the north. “All right, Y'all! I think our course is clear. Y'all ready to do this thang?” he asked.

Pinkie jumped and landed on his shoulder, “We’re coming, Twilight!” she declared. Everyone cheered. “As soon as we think up a plan!” Pinkie shouted with the same degree of resolve. Everyone then groaned.

“That might be a lot easier than you think.” came a familiar scholarly male voice. They all turned to see Flash, Sunburst, et al as Twilight’s skyboat was descending.

“Now that’s more like it,” Spike said with a smile.
> Storm of Chantalot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inside the city, along one of the streets as Tempest was having Twilight carted to the castle. “I am here and I see your pain
Through the storms, through the clouds, the rain
I'm telling you-you cannot escape” they heard Songbird Serenade try to sing. One of the storm guards then banged on the cage that caused her to stop. Twilight look at Songbird and then looked down riddled with guilt. Songbird only gave a smile, confident in Twilight.

About twenty minutes late, as the sun started it’s decent on Midsummer’s Eve, Twilight was carted into the throne room and was carefully brought to and placed in the empty corner of the magical circle on the floor. She looked at the markings, “The Staff of Sacanas!” she gasped as she recognized the pattern. She raised her head and looked at Tempest in horror. “Tempest, don't do this,” she begged and pleaded. “Don't give the Storm King—”

Tempest slapped her across the face, “Your magic?” the forsaker asked as she cut the demigod off. Tempest. As Twilight rubbed her cheek, “Did you think you'd keep it all to yourself?” she asked rhetorically as she circled the cage. “Time to share. I'd love for everybody out there to know what I can really do.” As she spoke she turned from Twilight and looked out a window. But it wasn’t the image on the window but beyond it, to the sky.

“Ooh, fascinating!” came the voice of a man in his forties came in from the main entrance. Twilight has only seen images of the man but she knew who he was. The Storm King started to walk towards Grubber and Tempest as if he owned the place. As he walked Twilight noticed that Tempest and Grubber froze for a second and then genuflect before him. “What can you really do?” he asked Tempest.

Grubber hopped to his feet, “Your bidding, of courth, Your Mighty-nethth.” the hedgehog answered and then ran out of the room so fast he broke the sound barrier.

“Hm, eat your heart out Sonic.” the Storm King commented at how fast Grubber was gone. But within a second he changed his focus back to Grubber’s answer. “But he’s right, bidding's good. I like bidding!” he declared as he walked into the center of the circle. He then saw that Twilight was not petrified. “Um, what are you supposed to be?” he asked confused at the sight.

“I am Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship!” Twilight declared as she scowled at the man.

The Storm King then laughed, “That’s cute, kid.” As he still laughed he turned to face Tempest, who was now on her feet. “Why is this one still moving?” he asked through his teeth, irate at the fact that Twilight was only caged.

Tempest lowered her head, “She and her friends put up a bit of a fight, but she's alone now.” Tempest said as she raised her head and looked at Twilight. “She won't be a problem,” she concluded.

“Well, it’s not the skin off my nose if she is.” The Storm King said as he walked to be in the center of the circle. He raised the staff. “Well, deliver the punchline, Tempest, because this joke has gone on long enough!” He then brought the staff in the exact center of the circle. Once it made contact with the floor, a light went from the staff towards every statue and Twilight. The light then entered into each of them and then from them all another light form as the magic in each and every one of the petrified people and Twilight was pulled into the light blue crystal at the top of the staff.

Twilight screamed in clear agonizing pain as a part of her was ripped from her. As her magic drained, Twilight’s wings disappeared as she felt her status as a demigod be stripped from her. She screamed and cried until the last bit of her magic was stripped from her. She fell to the bottom of her cage and started to pant. She even vomited blood. ‘So this is what Nightshade felt’, Twilight thought. This was worse than when Tirek drained the magic from her, she offered it up. This was taken against her will as if she was raped.

Once the spell ended, the Storm King looked at the staff and started to laugh in triumphant. “YES!” he shouted as he felt the very power in the staff conduct it’s way into him. He turned to Tempest and smiled, “You know your staff after all.” he declared. “Now, let's get this storm started!” he shouted. He then paused as he thought about what he just said. “Ooh, hey, that's good. I should trademark that.” He then turned his attention to Twilight. “Let’s start with you.” He said as he lowered the top of the staff and aimed it at Twilight.

In less than a second, Twilight was zapped out of the cage and through the wall on to one of the balconies of the castle. As she struggled to get on to her feet but fail, The Storm King walked through the hole in the wall he made. “Not bad.” he mused. “A decent start. But what else does it do?” he mused as he walked passed Twilight.

Tempest followed her king, “Your Excellency, you promised —” she started as she tried to get the Storm King’s attention.

“Yeah, yeah, hold on.” The Storm King dismissed as he pointed the staff at the sun. He then lowered the top towards his right and that caused the sun to set and the moon to rise. He smirked. “Now this is more like!” He then turned the staff to his left and it was day again. He then started to laugh at the power he possessed. Twilight and Tempest looked at the Storm King, both in horror and terror. The two then looked at each other, Twilight eyes starting to water, pleading for Tempest’s help. Tempest could only lower her head in shame.





As the same time as the Storm King say that he could control the celestial bodies, Capper was dressed like a baker with a cart by his side. The car was pulled by Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy, Sunburst, Stygian, Pinkie, Starlight and Trixie. In the cart was about seven feet tall with Spike on the top breathing fire like he was a fountain. They were walking on the southern road heading north to the capitol. As they neared the entrance there were a half dozen storm guards armed with spears and shields. Capper gestured to the lot pulling the cart to stop as he walked up to the guards. “Good afternoon, gentleman, I gotta delivery here for The Storm King.” Capper said as he looked at chipboard as if  “I was given explicit instructions to bring this here cake to this here castle's throne room.” The guards growled as they blocked the passage. Capper held up his paws and took a step back, “All right, then. Look here. Could one o' y'all go be a pal, go tell your boss he's not gettin' his "congratulations on subduing Mystica" cake?” he asked as he pointed to the cart. He then turned his back to the guards and started to walk back to the cart, “'Cause I don't wanna be the one responsible for the big guy missin' his special dessert. You know what I'm sayin'?” he asked as she stopped halfway between the cart and the guards. Capper looker at the lot and had three claws up right above his heart. After he counted down, the storm guards stepped to let them through. Capper turned around, “Thank you kindly, fellas. I'mma be sure and put in a good word for the botha y'all.” he said as they passed the guards. 

About ten minutes later, after getting halfway through the city to the castle, the cart was noticed by Grubber. The hedgehog was having a slice of pie, “Mmm! Pie!” he said to himself. He then spotted the cart, “Oh, hello, cake!” He then ran up to and got up to the cart. “Ooh! Don't mind if I do!" he said as he took a small piece of it. He didn’t notice anything at first, but he then spotted the closed eye of one of the parrots. Grubber jumped off the cart with the cake and began to run, shouting “ATTACKERTH” which prompted the nearby Storm Guards began to surround the cake. “I’ve got to warn Tempetht and Thtorm King!” The hedgehog declared as he ran.

“Hey get back here!” Spike shouted as leaped off the top of the cake and gave chase after Grubber. 

Capper looked around and gave a nervous laugh as the storm guards began to close in. “Well, the jig’s up. Plan B!” he shouted. Rainbow elbowed the cart three times. The cake then ‘exploded’ as Celaeno, her crew, Pharynx, Flash, and Skystar leaped out of the cake to engage the storm guards. Applejack and the rest threw off their yokes and chains and join the fray. 

However Fluttershy hovered over to one of the storm guards and looked at him in the eye, “You seem tense,” she then looked at all the others gathered. “You all do. Does anyone want to talk about it?” she asked.

After a second of silence, one guard spoke up, “I just want to go home and enjoy making snowmen.” one said.

“I never wanted to raid cities, and conquer nations, I just wanted to see the birds that live around the world.”

“I just wanted to make sure my little sister has food.”

“I couldn’t just let him kill my mommy.” one by one the guards spoke as they each sat down and lowered their weapons. 

Fluttershy then hugged the closest one to her, “There there, Let it all out.” The storm guard then started to break down and cry. Then one by one the other guards started to cry. “There, there, you’re not bad storm guards, you just lost your way.” After a few seconds as she took a moment to look at each and every one of the guards ther, “We can help you find it if you want.” she stated.

“How?” one asked as he tried to wipe away his tears. 

“We have to stop the Storm King,” Fluttershy answered.

“But, we can’t fight against him.” one protested.

“You don’t have to, all you have to do is step aside,” Fluttershy said as she hovered over to the one that spoke. After a couple of seconds, all the storm guards stepped away. “Thank you. Oh would it be too much to ask if you could set our friends in the city free?” she asked with big pleading eyes. The Storm guards got up, dropped their weapons and shields and started to take out their keys. “Thank you all so very much, Buh-bye,” Fluttershy said and then started to lead the rest to the castle. All the storm guards waved goodbye to the druid.

Everyone was mostly left dumbfound, even as Spike arrived with a hog-tied and slight charred Grubber. Flash smirked as he was the first to leave and catch up with Fluttershy. “Told ya she would be the most useful.”

Everyone else then followed with Spike leaving Grubber, as the hedgehog looked at the storm guards as they all seemed to still be in tears, “Hey guyth, could thomeone untie me?” he asked.

Farther about ten minutes later they arrived at the stairs of the palace, where they met with a decent squad of storm guards ready to defend their king. Before Flash or anyone could charge ahead, Capper grabbed Spike and pointed his mouth at the storm guards. “This here is a fire-breathin’ dragon.” Spike then breathed a few flames as he seemed to get what Capper was planning. “Now let us through or ya’ll burn.” Spike then exhaled a massive amount of fire at a stone pillar which caused it to melt. The storm guards looked at each other and then dropped their weapons and ran past the group. Capper looked at what just happened. “That was easier than I expected.” the cat commented.





From the balcony that Twilight, Tempest and the Storm King were, the three saw the arrival of Twilight’s friends and the guards fleeing. “What?! How?!” Tempest asked in utter confusion of what she saw.

Twilight finally was able to get back to her feet and able to walk, as she joined Tempest she gasped as tried to collect herself, “It's... It's the Magic of…” Twilight tried to answer.

However, the Storm King came up upon the two and wrapped his left arm around Tempest and right around Twilight, “Friendship, and flowers, and ponies, and rainbows, and sparkles, and puppy licks” the Storm King listed off in a cheerful voice with massive eyes and big smile that clearly mocked Twilight’s stance. He then stuck his tongue out. “and bleh!” he said and let go of the two. “I'm so totally over all this cute. This... ends... now!” he declared as he raised the staff into the air and the wind started to pick-up and soon a cyclone began to form around the castle. The Storm King started to laugh as the sky rumbled.

Below the Storm King, Capper, Spike, et al were forced back because of the cyclone which was also charged and was riddled with lightning. As the group looked at the sight, Flash drew his blade. “STAR SABRE!!!” He shouted as he swung his blade, but nothing happened. He then reached for his hand crossbow. “REQUIEM BLASTER!” he shouted, but again nothing happened. “I can't access my boons.” Flash said as he turned to look at the rest, “All of Twilight’s power must have been ripped from her. I can’t do anymore.” 

Rainbow also looked around and allowed her body to feel the wind. After a second. “I don’t have enough to get through that even with a Sonic Rainboom, and there’s too much wind resistance for me to build enough speed for a Sonic Rainboom,” Rainbow said as turned to the group. A light bulb appeared above Pinkie’s head as she pulled out of her hair a circus human cannonball helmet and put it on her head. Everyone looked at Pinkie and then Rainbow spoke up, “Alright Pinkie, let’s do this.” She said with a slight sigh.



 

Back with the Storm King, Tempest, and Twilight, “Now I truly am the Storm King!” the Storm King declared and laughed at what he saw as his victory as he watched the storm. “And the entire world will bow to my ba-ba-ba-boom, baby!” he cheered himself on as he literally patted himself on the back.

Tempest then walked towards her king, she genuflected to him, “Sire, as promised as I delivered you this power.” Tempest started. “Now about…” Tempest was cut off and caught off guard as she was slapped and fell to the ground. As she started to get back up, while she rubbed her cheek, “I don’t under…” she started.

“Are you familiar with a Magiavellin deal?” the Storm King asked. Tempest nodded. “Well, what do you think our deal was?” he asked rhetorically.

“But…” Tempest protested but stopped as it all dawn on her, “You…” she couldn’t finish the sentence. She didn’t want to say the words in a desperate act to escape the truth.

“You are smarter than the product of Grubber and his predecessor, I’d think you’d gotten with the program when you captured this city.” The Storm King said as he walked away from Tempest. Tempest growled as from her forehead lightning started to crackle before it went down both arms. She then sent that lightning to the Storm King. The Storm King caught it in his right hand and had it sent into the cyclone through his left index finger like it was nothing. “That can’t have been your best shot, Tempy.” he mocked as he lowered the staff with his left hand and blasted the floor at Tempest’s feet. 

Tempest screamed as she barely was able to grab the railing of the balcony and yet it did not enough keep her from being sucked into the cyclone. “HOLD ON!” Twilight shouted as she ran to help Tempest. Tempest’s grip failed her, Twilight was about to grabber Tempest’s right hand.

“Why are you saving me?” Tempest asked.

“Open up your eyes
See the world from where I stand,
Me one who can give aid,
You in need of a helping hand,” Twilight sang as if accompanied with some of the music of Tempest’s own song. Twilight then grunted as she was able to pull Tempest over the railing and back to the balcony and out of the wind’s power.

The two hugged, Tempest more so in gratitude. This sight was not lost on the Storm King, “Well, isn’t that just so sweet!” he commented mockingly, “You two should get a room.” he then lowered the staff and pointed it at them, “I know a place with plenty of them.” he laughed as the crystal started to glow.





At the same time as when the Storm King said ‘ba-ba-ba-boom’, “You sure about this?” Mullet asked as everyone was preparing to fire Pinkie’s large cannon.

From inside the cannon, Pinkie, Spike, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow were waiting for the cannon to fire. “Just do it! Thank you! I'm excited! Who's excited?! Aaah! I've never been so excited!” Pinkie ran off as and ended with a scream of excitement and a squeal of delight. At the trigger of the cannon, Murdock squawked as he pushed down on the trigger and set off the cannon. The cannon went boom, as it fired Pinkie et al into the winds. Everyone but Pinkie screamed in terror as Pinkie laughed and cheered. 

As the six were shot through the cyclone, the Storm King was about to fire upon Tempest and Twilight. The six then collided with the Storm King, Twilight and Tempest, sending them all into the throne room with the staff sent into a window.  “BULL’S-EYE!” Pinkie shouted at the accomplishment as she and the others started to get back onto their feet.

Twilight’s eyes started to water as she saw her friends. “You all came back!” she said as she started to walk to them. However, she stopped until she saw Pinkie, “Pinkie! I'm so sor-” Twilight started as the guilt in her began to boil over. 

However before Twilight could finish, Pinkie seemed to teleport to be right next to her and the jester hugged Twilight, making a squeak-like sound in the hug. “I forgive you, Twilight. I am sorry too.” She said. 

“Oh Pinkie…” Twilight said as she hugged Pinkie and started to cry into her shoulder.

There was a tap on both of their shoulders. “Now’s not the time to make up!” Rainbow said as she pointed to the staff. “This isn't over!” Rainbow pointed out. The staff crackled as it sent a blast into the throne room and the storm outside started to pick up. Twilight looked at the sight. “That staff has all the power of us demigods and everyone else that was petrified, “I've gotta get control of it!” Twilight declare.

Pinkie gave Twilight a pat on her shoulder, “Go! You've got this, Twilight!” 

Twilight looked at Pinkie, “Because we got this, together.” Twilight said as she looked to the staff. 

However, she wasn’t the only one, “That Staff is MINE!” declared the Storm King as he got up. This declaration caused Twilight to pause in terror.

Yet as the Storm King started towards the staff. Pinkie rest her hand on Twilight shoulder, “We got this!” Pinkie said to Twilight as she pulled a mallet out of her hair. Twilight nodded and ran to collect the staff. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, Spike, and Fluttershy rushed to tackle and intersect the Storm King.

Applejack swung her sword, but the Storm King used his arm guard to block it and then he kicked her to the side, aiming for Rarity. He grabbed Pinkie’s mallet by the head and threw her into Rainbow. Spike was the next to charge him, and the dragon was punted into Fluttershy. However, the lot didn’t let up as they tried to hold him back. Every step he took, one or another would try to tackle him or would attack him. However, the Storm King was only slowed down, but not by much. As he managed to finally passed the seven, Twilight managed to get the staff. The Storm King then jumped in an attempt to take it from her. However, he missed and hit the window, shattering it. He screamed as he was caught up in the cyclone's winds. Twilight then started to scream as she was too caught up in the storm.

Pinkie was first to get back to her feet after the Storm King made it past her, “Nooooooooooo!!!” she screamed as she ran to where Twilight was her right hand. Before she could be caught up in the wind, Applejack grabbed her until the wind seemed to die. Pinkie struggled to escape the paladin’s hold, but Applejack was not going to lose another friend to this storm. After almost a minute, Pinkie stopped struggling and began to weep. Applejack turned Pinkie around so that she could cry into her shoulder. After about a minute the storm stopped and the sky began to clear. Applejack gasped as she turned Pinkie around and the two were joined by the rest of their friends. Applejack then pointed to the sky, everyone looked and saw Twilight began to drift down with her wings returned and the staff in her hands. Once Twilight land she gave a tired smile to her friends “YYYYEEEESSSS!!!” Pinkie shouted and hugged Twilight, “Group hug!” she declared and was joined by the rest. Everyone gave cheers and laughed at what seemed to Twilight’s victory.

From behind them, Tempest saw the site. She smiled, glad to have been proven wrong. She took a step forward, but then a step back as she looked down ashamed at her past. As she took one last glance at the group, she spotted the Storm King climb on the railings of the balcony. Tempest gasped and ran towards the railing. The Storm King reached into a pouch he had on his belt and took out one of the petrification orbs. “NOOO!!” she screamed as intersected the throw. The orb shattered on her, but as she continued the particles of the shattered orb floated back to the Storm King.

The Storm King lost his grip as his body turned to stone. With the loss of his grip, the Storm King fell and when he landed his body shattered into a hundred pieces. Tempest was spared that fate as Twilight used the staff to catch Tempest and bring her back to the balcony. 

“I can’t believe she did that,” Rainbow commented on Tempest’s action.

“I can,” Twilight whispered before she took another breath and using the staff, casted a stone to flesh spell that returned Tempest to her normal state. 

Tempest gasped as she recovered her breath. She looked at Twilight and saw a welcoming smile. Tempest walked up to Twilight, “Thank you, Princess.” she said and then took a look at the sky. She then took Twilight by the hand, “Come on, we don’t have much time to fix everything.” Tempest lead Twilight back to the circle. “Just do what the Storm King did and all the magic the staff drained will be returned to where it belongs and everyone petrified will be returned to normal. She instructed. Twilight nodded and raised the staff before bringing it to the floor. Once it made contact with the floor the magic returned to everyone that it was taken from as they were freed from their petrified state. 

Everyone freed gasped as they returned to flesh and blood. Twilight managed to pull the other princesses and her brother into a massive hug, glad to see them free. Some of the magic continued to go throughout the city returning everyone that had been petrified to normal, most notable not in the throne room was Brighteyes, who was never moved from where she shoved Twilight away from Tempest’s attempt to petrify her.





Hours later as the sun was setting, the band started to play as Spike was on the stage, “Sorry for the delay everybody,” Spike somewhat joked into the microphone he had. “Now with the Storm King vanished and everyone free, let's celebrate!” Everyone cheered. “Now let’s kick it off, properly, ladies and gentlemen, get ready for Songbird Serenade!” Spike shouted into the mic. Everyone cheered as Songbird got on stage.

“Thank’s Spike.” Songbird said as Spike began to step off the stage. “Before we actually start, let’s give applause for Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends!” Songbird said as she pointed to Twilight and her friends. Everyone applauded and cheered Twilight and her friends. Songbird then cleared her throat and then started to sing.

As Songbird sang, most watched the performance with a few notable events, such as Rainbow and Celaeno shared a fist bump as a sign of comradery, Rarity made a tall hat and gentleman’s cape which she gave Capper, Capper accepted both with a bow and a literal tip of the hat, and Pinkie and Skystar sharing a friendly hug and laugh. Skystar then gasped as she spotted something flying towards them. It was Novo and a handful of Aasimars. “MOM!” Skystar shouted as she flew up to and shared a hug with her mother.

The two then shared a laugh. “You are so grounded!” Novo said and laughed as Skystar was left horrified and speechless.

As Songbird continued to sing, Twilight watched how everyone was enjoying themselves until she spotted Tempest in the far back not looking the show. Twilight hovered over and landed next to Tempest, “The one thing that never changes around here. The party.” Tempest said as she knew Twilight was next to her.

Twilight placed her hand on Tempest’s shoulder, “I hope you'll stay. The more the merrier, they say.” Twilight said as she looked Tempest in the eye. 

Tempest started to smile but stopped as she placed her left hand on her scared forehead, “But…” she started.

“Your magic doesn’t need a focus gem to show how powerful it is. And it’s pretty powerful.” Twilight said with a smile.

Tempest smiled as she could tell that Twilight was sincere in her faith. “I did tell you I wanted to show everyone in Mystica what I could do, right?” she asked rhetorically as she looked to the sky and took a breath. Soon her magic pooled in her scar and then was sent into the sky with a zap. This magic then caused a set of fireworks to explode in the air. All the while Songbird continue to sing. As the fireworks exploded, Twilight and Tempest shared welcoming smiles.

Once the last part of the fireworks fade, Pinkie appeared next to the two. “Ooww, nice touch, Tempest!” Pinkie said as she liked the sight.

Tempest gave a weak chuckle, “Actually, ‘Tempest Shadow’ is not my real name.” Tempest confessed. Before Pinkie could ask, “I’ll tell you, Pinkie, but you have to promise to tell no one.” Tempest requested.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Pinkie pinkie-promised.

Tempest looked to Twilight not sure if she should accept that. Twilight nodded for Tempest to accept. Tempest then leaned to whisper into Pinkie's ear so that only Pinkie would hear her, “It's ‘Fizzlepop Berrytwist’.”

Pinkie gasped in massive delight as her eyes widened as massive stars formed in them. Pinkie then pulled Tempest into a hug, "That is the most awesome name ever!" Pinkie shouted in pure excitement.






Cast:

Tara Strong as Twilight Sparkle 
Rebecca Shoichet as Twilight Sparkle’s singing voice
Ashleigh  Ball as Rainbow Dash and Applejack
Andrea Libman as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie
Shannon Chan-Kent as Pinkie Pie’s singing voice
Tabitha St. Germain as Rarity, Princess Luna and Brighteyes
Cathy Weseluck as Spike
Nicole Oliver as Princess Celestia and Lix Spittle
Britt McKillip as Princess Cadance
Andrew Francis as Shining Armor
Vincent Tong as Flash Sentry
Michelle Creber as Apple Bloom
Madeleine Peters as Scootaloo
Claire Corlett as Sweetie Belle
Bill Newton as Stygian and Pharynx
Erin Mathews as Gabby
Marÿke Hendrikse as Gilda
Ian Hanlin as Sunburst
Kathleen Barr as Trixie Lulamoon
John de Lancie as Discord
Kelly Sheridan as Starlight Glimmer
Star Swirl the Great as Christopher Britton
Richard Ian Cox as Grampa Gruff

With

Emily Blunt as Fizzlepop ‘Tempest Shadow’ Berrytwist
Michael Peña as Grubber
Taye Diggs as Capper
Zoe Saldana as Captain Celaeno
Max Martini as Boyle
Mark Oliver as Mullet
Kristin Chenoweth as Princess Skystar
Uzo Aduba as Queen Novo
Sia as Songbird Serenade
Brian Dobson as Verko

And 

Liev Schreiber as The Storm King

> Epilogue: After the Storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The two mornings later, in the throne room, Celestia and Luna sat on their thrones as Cadance stood to the side along with Shining and Flurry in her arms. Most of the throne room was full of rows of chairs fully seated. In front of everyone to the left side (upon entering) were from right to left, Trixie, Starlight, Sunburst, Stygian, Gilda, Gabby, Pharynx, Capper, Celaeno, Mullet, Boyle, Lix, Murdock, Skystar, Brighteyes, and Flash Sentry. On the other side of the crowd was Twilight and a large pillow with medals on it. “Thank you all for being here on such short notice…” Twilight started.

Among those who sat, were a frowning Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle next to their respective older ‘sister’, “Why can’t we get a medal?” Sweetie asked.

“Sorry, Sweetie Belle, but you have to be at least eighteen to qualify.” Rarity answered.

“That ain’t fair,” Apple Bloom groaned.

“Hey, Rainbow, Rares, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Twi and Ah don’t have a single medal, and you don’t hear us com…”

“This is so unfair!” Rainbow yelled.

“Spoke too soon, Big Sis.” Apple Bloom commented.

Applejack rolled her eyes before she spoke, “Listen.  Life ain’t fair, some people who should get a reward don’t and some that shouldn’t do, but you can’t let yourself succumb to envy.” Apple Bloom could only groan but had to accept it.

“Now we honor our heroes with the Pink Hearts of Courage.” Twilight’s voice brought everyone’s attention back to the ceremony, everyone cheered. Once everyone stopped Twilight walked to Trixie and Starlight, “First, we honor Trixie and Starlight who have both received the Pink Hearts before.” Twilight then placed her hand on each of their Pink Hearts and the two hearts each took on a second shade of pink.

“Seems a little underwhelming,” Trixie commented before she was elbowed by Starlight. 

Twilight did not show if she was fazed by this and moved on, she cast a spell that had the pillow with the medals levitate next to her as she continued. She took one of the Hearts and placed it on the necks, one by one, Sunburst, Stygian, Gilda, Gabby, Pharynx, Capper, Celaeno, Mullet, Boyle, Lix, Murdock, and then Skystar. As she placed the Heart on Capper, “In addition to this, we would like to appoint you our ambassador to Abyssinia.” She took something else from the pillow, a letter. Capper accepted it with a smile. 

Twilight then moved on to Celaeno and her crew and after each of them received the medals. Once she placed the last medal on, Twilight turned back to Celaeno. “We also wish to present to you and your crew this Letter of Marque and Reprisal, which is what they are actually called..” Twilight said as she presented to her an envelope with a wax seal with the insignia of the ESM with the Aura marks of Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Twilight in the corners. Celaeno nodded and accepted the letter. Twilight continued to give one Heart to Skystar. 

After she placed the one on Skystar, Twilight stopped in front of Brighteyes, “In addition to the Pink Heart of Courage, because of Brighteye Muffin’s self-sacrifice to save my life and thus save us all.” Twilight said and took another medal which was purple in color and shaped like Twilight’s Aura mark. “Thus I present to you, Brighteyes, the very first Purple Star of Friendship.”  Twilight then placed the medal on Brighteyes. Brighteyes smiled as tears started to form in her eyes and she hugged Twilight. This hug lasted about a minute. 

Once the hug was ended, Twilight turned to the last person, Flash Sentry, “For taking the initiative and command of the attempt to rescue everyone, we have promoted you to lieutenant-colonel.” Twilight said as she handed to Flash Sentry a set of silver seven-pointed leaves that would go on his non-combat uniform. Flash accepted them and held it close to his chest. Twilight then turned back to the pillow and picked up the last item on it, a medal that was shaped like a heater shield. “And this, The Shield of Virtue.” Flash was taken aback at this, but he lowered his head as Twilight placed the medal on him. Everyone in attendance cheered.





A few hours later, in the mall hall, as everyone that had elected to stay following the ceremony, were talking among themselves, some getting photos with the heroes, some were at awe over the aasimars that came with Queen Novo, among the various other minor gathers, Twilight was looking for someone. After a few minutes, she found her target, Queen Novo talking with Princess Celestia, like the two were old friends. “Always trust Pinkie to come up with a song and dance routine on the spot,” Celestia said as if in response to something. The two then shared a laugh. Celestia then spotted Twilight approaching, “Well, if it’s isn’t the grocer herself.” Celestia said as she called Novo’s attention to Twilight.

“Princess,” Novo said as she acknowledged Twilight as she joined the two.

“Your Majesty,” Twilight said with a nod of deference. As she raised her head, “I believe I owe you and the aasimars an apology.”

Novo then waved her right hand, “Water under the bridge, if the situations were reverse, I can’t say wouldn’t have tried to steal the pearl.” Novo confessed. 

There was a laugh shared between the three. Once they finished the laugh, “Still, I would like to make it up to you.” Twilight said as she focused on Novo.

Novo paused for a second in thought, “I hid my people for so long that we've forgotten what it was like to have friends on the outside for the most part.”  She then looked around and saw how much fun Skystar was having and the aasimars that flew to Chantalot with their queen to find the princess. Novo then thought back to the sudden musical number  Pinkie managed to pull off with almost no time plan. “But your friends have shown us again.” Novo ultimately stated. As Twilight started to smile, “But if you, Princess Twilight, come to Mt. Aris again in the next ten years, I will have you arrested on the spot.” Novo stated bluntly as she looked Twilight squarely.

“Understood.” Twilight said with a gulp.

Celestia then cleared her throat, the two turned their attention back to her, “I am so glad we were able to resolve the matter without needing to sign any declarations, they are a such a pain in the wrist and fingers to write out.” Celestia joked.

“I hear ya, sister,” Novo added. The two older leaders then drank from their cups.  

Just before Twilight could speak, “Hey, Twi, where's your boy toy?” came the voice of Rainbow. Both Novo and Celestia spat out their drinks and started to cough and laugh as the three turned to see Rainbow and Scootaloo.

“Very funny, Rainbow.” Twilight groaned as she rolled her eyes, “Why do want to know where Flash Sentry is?” she asked.

“I wanted to check out his medal, but we can’t find my big brother anywhere,” Scootaloo answered. “Have you seen him anywhere since the ceremony?” and then asked.

Twilight shook her head, and the two continued to look for Flash. Twilight, however, had a thought as she looked out one of the sets of glass doors leading outside.





About ten minutes later, Twilight arrived at the top of the highest part of the Chantalot castle. There, she spotted Flash looking at the Shield of Virtue in his right hand as if he was contemplating something. “I thought I'd find you here,” Twilight said as she landed.

Flash gave a shock ‘ah’ as he turned to face Twilight, almost dropping the medal in the process. “Oh, hi,” he said weakly.

Twilight looked at Flash for a second before she spoke, “You don’t feel like you merited the Shield of Virtue?” Twilight asked getting to the heart to the matter.

“Ouch,” Flash said, “Did Sunset tell you how to get the answers you wanted out of me?” he asked. Before Twilight could answer, “Sunset and I were a couple before she left through the mirror.” He answered the unasked question in an attempt to provide some context for his question. 

Twilight gave a weak smile, “You might want to know what Sunset wrote about you.” There was a slight blush to her face. After a second, she coughed to collect herself. “But you haven’t answered my question.”

Flash tried to chuckle but could only sigh. “Have you ever felt as if you've been given an honor that you didn't earn and that you weren’t worthy of?” he asked.

Twilight pointed to her crown and wings, “You're asking an ordinary mage who suddenly became a demigoddess princess overnight.” she replied. 

Flash couldn’t help but chuckle at that, “Twilight, you were anything but ordinary before your ascension.” he joked, but the slight glare Twilight gave him stopped him from laughing. Flash took a breath, “I just feel like I could have done more to help.”

Twilight looked to the sky then back to Flash as she tried to find the words, “Prince Pharynx told me that you were the one who took charge and figured out what needed to be done and where we were going.” she started. “He also said that you were the one who convinced him to let Fluttershy help you guys take back Chantalot instead of leaving her with Gilda and the Crusaders.”

“What about Gabby?” Flash asked as he noticed someone missing in the list.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “She’s actually a member of the group.” she answered. Flash gave an ‘oh’, it was clear that he still didn’t get it, but he accepted the answer and was not going to question it farther. There was a moment of silence as Twilight looked squarely at Flash, or more so his chest and the injuries his uniform hid and then to the buckler which Rainbow had for most of their adventure, “ Pharynx also said you covered the escape of the others and that you could have …” There was another pause, “and more importantly, you covered my and the girls’ escape.”

Flash smiled modestly, “I was only doing what needed to be done.” He saw Twilight sigh bitterly, “I know it takes some skill in leadership to get my ragtag band to work together, but it was needed to be done.” Flash said as he had a feeling what Twilight’s counter-point would be and providing his response. He then saw Twilight turn from him and look to the sky. He dipped his head and shook it before he spoke, “The girls told me about what happened, the failed pearl thief and the blow-up between you and Pinkie,” Twilight could only give a sorrowful sigh. He walked up to be behind her and placed his arm around her shoulder, “You’re not a terrible person, you were just in such a desperate situation to do your duty as a princess, you made a mistake.” Twilight didn’t look to him, only at her feet, “I think Pinkie already forgave you.” he added with a bit of question.

Twilight then looked from her feet to his face, “It still doesn't make what I did right.” she then turned her head to look away from him, “Some Princess of Friendship I turned out to be.”

Flash stepped around so that Twilight could only look at him. “Hey, nobody's perfect.” Flash then took Twilight’s chin with his left hand, “Besides, perfection is overrated.” he chuckled as he then brought her face to his and he kissed her. After the kiss broke, “um, just like strawberries.” he mused. 

Twilight gave him a playful shove, “And your lips taste like quesadillas,” she fake-pouted, “you know I don’t like how cheesy they are.”

Flash looked around, and then smirked as he took on a very cheesy voice,  “Hi, I’m Flash Sentry, recently promoted to…” He stopped as Twilight started to playfully strike him for his acting. “Okay, okay.” he said as he ‘shielded’ himself. “You win.”

This brought a smile to Twilight’s face as she stopped and the two had a short laugh. After the laugh, “So are you going to join the celebration?” she asked.

Flash pocketed the medal and then reached his right hand out, entwining his finger with her left hand, “I already have.” he said as he pulled Twilight into his arms.