“So Firefly? What did you do to that flan exactly?” Tempest asked as he and Firefly exited the cave.

The pair had made it out of the Dismer Caves without consequence. It appeared that they had cleared out the major opposition in the caves. Least in the higher levels. The lower levels and what they contained were still a mystery.

“Oh that? It's just breaking.” Firefly answered.

“Breaking?” Tempest repeated.

“Yeah it's an ancient pegasus technique.” Firefly explained.

“I didn't know Pegasus could use magic.” Tempest said in surprise.

“Well it's not really magic, it's a fighting technique, invented especially by pegasus for pegasus.”

This was a bit of a surprise to Tempest. “I think you'll have to give me a history lesson.”

“You see, back before Equestria was founded, the Pegasus race were a warrior tribe. They invented all sorts of ways to weaken their enemies so to give them an advantage in battle. Breaking was one of them. When you break an opponent, you weaken their strengths. There's Power Breaking which breaks their strength, Magic Break which breaks their magic, Mental Break which breaks their magic defense, and Armor Break which breaks their defense.”

“Wow. How'd you learn it?” Tempest asked.

“My pop showed me back when I was a filly. After I got older I practiced at it until I got it.” Firefly answered.

Kind of like his magic. Tempest read all he could about black magic, practicing every day until he could cast spells with ease.

“But how'd you learn how to do that sword magic?” Firefly asked.

“I don't know. I just thought it would work so I tried it out.” Tempest revealed.

“Well it worked. And it was awesome. Once you learn stronger spells it'll be twenty percent cooler!”

Tempest grinned to himself and continued to trot forward. He and Firefly didn't head to the village proper, but instead went to an overlooking hill. The mist generator lay abandoned, obviously the earth pony was no longer tinkering with it. The pair walked past it, going a little further until they were at the hill itself. There it lay below, the chaos mist. It swirled about, black and murky. The path lead down.

“It sure is conglomerating.” Tempest noticed.

“Yeah. I'll say.” Firefly concurred.

“It's like it's just waiting to swarm the village. Ready to swallow it up.” Tempest's mind began to wander, and it made him think of the past. The earlier memory of a lost foal in the mist played out. It had been more potent, because he had experienced it through his own eyes.

“Hey Tempest? Do you remember anything from before?” Firefly asked.

Tempest stared down at the mist and shook his head. “No. The only thing I remember is being lost in the mist before the villagers found me.”

“Not even your parents?”

Tempest shook his head again. That wasn't entirely true. “I do have faint images. My mother mostly.” His hoof ran to his moon pendent. “I remember someone, I think my mother, giving me this.” Though he couldn't remember clearly, he knew this pendent had a connection to his mysterious past. “You're lucky, least you remember the village you were born in, that and your family.”

Firefly grinned. “Yeah, my mom and dad were great.”

“Firefly I wanted to thank you.” Tempest suddenly said.

“For the cave? No problem.”

“No I mean for everything.” Tempest explained. “When I first got here, I didn't have anypony. You were the first one to make friends with me. You helped me when I was at my loneliest. I wanted to thank you for that.”

Firefly was taken aback by the suddenness of the gratitude. “Wow. Well, you're welcome. I mean you were kind of a wimp at first, but look at you now.”

“Hey!” Tempest chuckled nudging his friend in the side.

Firefly laughed back and returned the hit. “So you're really going to give it to Glory Shine?”

“Yep.” Tempest responded.

The pegasus shook her head, “Although I question your taste in mares, I'll support you. Just promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“If you and Glory get married and have foals, could you name one of them after their Auntie Firefly?”

Tempest grinned and shook his own head. “I'll keep that in mind.”

And so the two friends each went back to their own duties, and they did so until night fell. By that time, all of the homes in Mareia had fallen silent, save for one home. In one of the rooms, a light still burned, and inside, Tempest was hard at work.

“Just a little more.” He told himself, trying to get in the string. Eventually, it slipped through a small hole and next was the connector. He had worked some metal in order to forge it, and sure enough, it was formed. Laying before him, was a gem necklace. “Glory is going to love this.” Tempest prided himself. Suddenly, a yawn escaped him. “Man it's getting late. Better hit the sack.”

Tempest went to turn off the light and nestled himself into his bed. Tomorrow was a grand day. But as he slept, Tempest began to dream.

XXX

“And so the Warrior of Light and Princess Sarah lived happily ever after. The End.” The storyteller finished.

The young foal looked up with sleepy eyes. “That was a great story Mommy.” The foal said as he felt a yawn overtake him.

“Now my dear, it's time for you to get to sleep.” Said the storyteller.

The foal yawned again. “Alright. Goodnight. I love you.”

The storyteller leaned down, kissing the foal upon the forehead. “I love you too my sweet.”

As the foal drifted further off into sleep's embrace, his ears got trace of one last uttering. “My dear sweet Tempest.”

XXX

Tempest slept away, taking in the dream, filling him with love and joy. But as he slept, he wasn't aware of the gem. As it lay, it pulsed.

XXX

“Commander Ravus!” One pony spoke up as the screen displayed a surge.

The sound of hooves came followed by a metallic thumping. A white unicorn with a white and black coat stepped into view. His mane a lightish blond and a sword strapped at his side. What was most noticeable was that his left leg and hoof was covered in a metal apparatus.

“What is it?” He asked firmly and to the point.

“The readings just picked up a surge.”

Ravus stared at the screen, his face stern and unchanging. Both his eyes illuminated by the light the screen produced. One eye blue, while the other purple. “Is it an esper?”

“I think so sir. What are your orders?”

Ravus remained fixated upon the screen. “By the next day, we investigate.”

“Are you sure sir?”

“Do you question me?”

“Um no! I just well it's only a small surge.”

Ravus turned around, his metal leg thumping all the while. “Be it small or not, her majesty has ordained that all espers must be gathered. For the good of the Paradise Empire.”

The pony went back to the screen. “Yes sir. As you say.”

Ravus knew this would be monumental. As many espers as they could, and for her majesty Galaxia Eternal's grace.”

XXX

The day came just as suddenly as it had fallen. All the ponies of Mareia awoke, ready to go about their day. But today wasn't just any old day. No, it was a special occasion.

A huge banner was laid up in the middle of town. “Happy Birthday Glory Shine.” It said.

Everypony was about with movement as the party went underway. Tempest stood in the middle of it all.

“Hey Tempest!” Firefly's voice called.

He looked to see his friend trotting up to him. “Man I gotta say this is some party. The mayor really went all out.”

“Well anything for his little girl.” Tempest concurred.

“So where is the birthday girl anyway?” Firefly asked.

“I don't know. Haven't seen her.” Tempest looked around the village, but didn't see her amongst the crowd of ponies. “I'm going to go look for her.”

“All right you do that. Now if I remember correctly, there was a cider drinking contest and you know how much I like cider.”

Tempest nodded. “Just make sure you check if it's hard, remember what happened last time.”

Firefly was reminded of the last time she had tried cider. She had neglected to check if it was hard or not, and when it ended up being the former, she had made quite the drunken fool of herself. That and the hangover the next morning was her punishment.

“Will do. Later loverboy.” And Firefly was off.

Tempest waved off his friend and continued through the village.

“Have you seen Glory Shine?” He asked. “Have you seen her around?” He asked once more. And of course, “I really need to talk to her.”

“I think I saw her head up there.” One pony pointed. The pony pointed to outside the village, but not near the mist generator, further beyond.

“All right thanks!” Tempest thanked and was off again.

He moved past the streamers and the contests, and the games and prizes, and wound up heading outside the village. There he would find Glory Shine.

XXX

As the party was in full swing, nopony paid any attention to what lay outside of the village. Or rather was loomed above it. The Hoofcliff hills loomed up and above. The peak an unscaleable mound of rock. But, something did scale it, or rather hovered above it.

In the light the knight's armor shimmered, his cape flapping in the breeze. “They mill about, uncaring of what lay beyond their shield.” The knight mused. Underneath his helmet, a look of contempt crossed his face. “How very droll.” Taking his finger, he pointed it to a certain spot. “They need a reminder, of why they hide from the dark.” A small beam, a ruin spell, a very minor one that is shot forth striking against something and causing a surge. It was the mist generator.

The magic contended with the machinery before it finally gave out. It shut down completely, smoke rising from it. And nopony noticed.

The shield was gone.

XXX

“Glory Shine!” Tempest called.

The mare turned as her name was called. “Oh Tempest.” She said in surprise.

There she was, standing on the cliff's edge. She was a pretty young earth pony mare, only seventeen years of age, well eighteen now. Her coat was a bright yellow with an orange mane. Her eye a pretty shade of red. Her cutie mark was a shining sun rising over a cloud.

“What are you doing here? The party is back in town.” Said Tempest.

“Oh I just wanted to get away for a moment. I needed some time by myself. Honestly sometimes my father can be a bit too smothering.”

This was a far cry from the brat that Firefly described. She had grown from a spoiled filly to a beautiful young mare. A beauty that had not gone unnoticed on Tempest.

“What are you doing here?” She asked.

Tempest came to a stop. This was the defining moment. Using his magic, he pulled out what he had worked on. “I wanted to give you this.” He offered. “Happy Birthday.” He said presenting the necklace to her.

Glory Shine let out a tiny gasp as she eyed the floating necklace. “Oh my sweet goodness! Is that for me!?” Tempest nodded. “Oh thank you! I love it!”

Tempest levitated it around her neck, the metal connecting and holding it in place. “My and Firefly went into the Dismer Caves to get it. So you really like it?”

“Yes of course. I mean Papa has given me tons of necklaces over the years, but this one is special.” The mare smiled and jostled the necklace around her neck. “I'll cherish it always.”

Tempest blushed. “Well I'm glad you liked it. I was hoping you would.”

Glory Shine sat down, patting the patch of land next to her. Tempest took the offer and sat down beside her.

“It looks so lovely down there doesn't it?” Glory Shine asked. “You can't even see a trace of the chaos mist.”

Sure enough, the valley below held no trace of the poisonous substance. It was clear and fresh, just as nature had intended.

“Yeah it does.” Staring beside him, Tempest noted that wasn't the only lovely thing present.

“Don't you just wonder what's out there?” Glory asked.

Tempest stared out. “Sometimes. But I've got everything I want here.”

“You do?” Glory asked.

“Yeah. Friends, comfort, and everything in general.” Tempest answered.

“I suppose, but sometimes I just want to leave this place and go out on an adventure.” Glory admitted. “Don't you ever want to do that?”

Thinking on it, Tempest had to admit, “Maybe. I mean seeing the world wouldn't hurt. So long as you had someone to share it with.”

Glory Shine nodded. “Yes, I suppose. Being alone is no fun.” She said, not just making a reference to a potential adventure, she was enjoying the company right now.

Tempest too was enjoying the company as well, and there was something on his chest that he had to get off. “Glory Shine? There's something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What about?” She responded.

“It's just that. We've known each other for a long time and I was wondering if-”

Just then, a cry from the village rang out. Both Tempest and Glory turned around, looking back at the village. Not just one scream, but several gave out.

“What's going on?” Glory Shine asked, her voice growing more fearful.

“It's coming from the village.” Tempest answered.

The unicorn youth got to his hooves and trotted towards the noise. Glory Shine followed after, hoping her father was alright. The pair raced as fast as they could coming to a stop as soon as they hit the town. And what they saw disturbed them. There, descending upon the town, attacking the ponies, were small creatures, going up to just about a leg, they were gray skinned monstrosities, with lavender hair, with blue shirts and red caps. Tempest had read a descriptions on such creatures. Goblins, a type of monster, a daemon class. Monsters were divided into two classes: Beasts, and Daemons. Beasts were akin to animals, wild and savage, driven only by instinct. Then there were daemons, dark and evil creatures, who only sough to destroy. But it wasn't just monsters that were present. They had followed something, for daemons especially were drawn to a certain substance.

“The Chaos Mist!” Glory Shine cried.

The black mist seeped through the village, spreading and bringing more goblins with it. Not just goblins, Tempest noticed some flans in there as well. All the colors of the flan rainbow, least the ones seen in the Dismer Caves.

“But how!? The generator should have kept them out!” Tempest spoke in a frenzied panic.

“What do we do?” Glory asked fearfully.

Taking out his blade, Tempest unfolded it. “Just stay close to me. I'll get us through!”

And he charged forward, weapon drawn and ready to strike. Feeling safe with Tempest, Glory Shine kept close. As soon as he neared a goblin, Tempest slashed. The goblin fell in an instant. This alerted to more goblins who turned their attention from other ponies and to Tempest. They leapt and lunged, but they too fell to Tempest's blade. Thankfully, goblins were among the weaker variety of daemons.

“Tempest!”

Tempest looked up and noticed a shape. “Firefly!?”

The pegasus darted through the air and slashed at several goblins who fell before her hoof guards. She landed right in front of Tempest.

“Firefly, what's happening?” Tempest pressed.

“I don't know. One minute everything was fine and the next, the mist shows up along with all of these monsters.” Firefly explained.

Everything was in a panic. Chaos reigned as ponies were fleeing for their lives, doing their best to hide, or right off the monsters. The mist slithered at their hooves, moving like a sickness.

“We have to fight them off.” Tempest declared.

“Fight them off!? But there's too many of them.” Glory Shine replied.

“I gotta agree with her Tempest. I don't think we can fend off all of these guys.” Firefly agreed.

“Well we just can't let them take the village.” Tempest appealed.

Firefly didn't like their odds, but she knew that this village was their home. They couldn't just let the mist and it's minions take it. “All right fine. I'm with you. No daemon scum is going to take my home!” The pegasus boldly declared.

The duo (plus Glory Shine), charged forward, slashing and dashing at anything that came past them. Several flans menaced a group of foals, but Tempest used his sword magic to finish them off. Firefly simply zipped past, hitting vital spots in the creatures. Glory Shine remained close to Tempest, keeping a close eye for her father.

“Thankfully we got the weak ones.” Firefly cheered as she took down a goblin.

That was thankful. The mist may have spread, but this assault was only by minor daemons. Then they heard the crash. A house exploded into debris as something lumbered into view. It was tall, taller than all of the other daemons. Large and bulky, made entirely of metal and wielding a large sword. It was like a living suit of armor, and it had a name.

“An Iron Giant.” Tempest spoke in awe.

Iron Giant, a higher class of daemon. Very dangerous and very tough to kill. Tempest had heard tales about them, from travelers who made their way to the village. Why he heard there were even red colored varieties with flaming swords. The iron giant roared, arms raised and weapon drawn. It looked about the village, coming to a stop at the three ponies before it.

“Um Tempest? It sees us.” Glory Shine whimpered.

Tempest stared up at the creature's helmeted face. “I know.”

The iron giant let out a roar as it raised it's sword up and brought it down.

“Move!”

The trio got out of the way just as it had come down. As it did, it appeared to struggle as it attacked. It seemed as if the blade was stuck in the ground.

“I got it!” Firefly cried. She zipped past, using a power break to lower it's strength. “Okay just one more.” Zipping past it again, she used an armor break for it's defense. “Okay Tempest now!”

Taking his weapon, Tempest threw the blade at its chest and used his magic to slash it. It did it back and forth drawing the attention of the giant. Taking out it's weapon, the giant used it's free hand to smack the weapon back to Tempest. At the last minute, Tempest used his magic to bring it to a halt. This was going nowhere. The monster was too strong. Looking around him, he could see the chaos was continuing. There was no sign of help and the monsters were swarming in numbers. He needed help, he wanted help, he willed up, prayed up to any gods that remained. Though in ages past, the ponies often prayed and used Celestia as their source of worship. But those ages were gone. During the Rending, where even the royal sisters were no use against the chaos mist. That was when they learned, that even the might of an alicorn could serve no strength against the pure might of chaos.

“We need a miracle.” Tempest said to himself.

And that's what he got.

A hum sounded out behind him. Nopony had noticed it at first, but when it came again, they noticed it.

“What? My necklace.” Glory Shine said.

Sure enough, the necklace was humming and glowing. It continued, growing brighter by the second.

Right away, Tempest let out a groan as he felt something strike his head. No, more like inside his head. “My head. It hurts.” Tempest groaned.

Suddenly, the necklace ripped from Glory Shine's neck and floated between her and Tempest. The glow continued and persisted until it finally exploded in a bright light. Everypony present shielded their eyes, unshielding it as the light died down.

“Woah! What the Tartarus is that thing?” Firefly was the first to speak. And her words best emphasized, for the thing before them looked as if it had crawled out of the depths of Tartarus.

Floating before them was a large creature, too large, towering over the ponies. From first look, it appeared to be a demon, colored red and black, with large wings, a long tail, and a large crest of a chin. It's horns connected to a crown of sorts, black armored.

Glory Shine backed away in fear, while Tempest stared at in in awe.

“Tempest! What is this thing!?” The frightened earth pony mare cried.

Tempest didn't know. Was it a daemon? He wondered. Despite it's fearsome appearance, he didn't feel any bloodlust at it, but he felt something. Whatever it was, there was a cast store of magic within it. The demon let out a roar as it unleashed a great pressure upon the land. Black energy surged all around, crushing everything in its path, like gravity at work. Buildings everywhere exploded, monsters were crushed into nothing. Even the iron giant fell to the pressure, it's metal body contorting and breaking apart from the gravity attack. Tempest looked all around, watching everything unfold. He watched as homes were torn apart, he watched as invaders were killed, he watched as ponies were tossed aside. But most importantly, he watched Glory Shine.

Glory Shine looked to him, eyes full of wonder and confusion. “Tempest?”

That was the last time he saw her whole as the gravity attack pushed her down. A resounding crack rang out, the sound of crunching bone.

“Glory!” Tempest cried as she fell like a limp doll. Tempest ran to her, folding in his blade and taking Glory in both hooves. “Glory! Come on! Wake up!” No movement. He checked her pulse, and nothing. She was dead.

Tempest breathed heavily, his eyes grew hot, feeling something seep down. “No...Come on Glory wake up!” He shook her. “Wake up!” He shook her again. “WAKE UP!!!” But nothing, she was no longer with the living world.

He released her, letting her drop to the ground. The tears flowed down his cheeks as something played past him.

“Daddy!” He heard a foal cry.

The carnage, the destruction, it was all about him, and as he stared up, he saw the large armored figure, and the glowing yellow eyes.

And the vision ended.

Tempest was back to the world and back to realty as he felt another migraine ache at him. He let out a groan, then a yell, releasing his fury at the world. Fury at one. He turned to the demon, eyes full of fury in his eyes.

“Damn you!” Tempest screamed. Willing his magic, Tempest summoned up a fire spell, then a blizzard, then a thunder, lastly a water. All of them in rapid succession. The demon shook them all off. Right when Tempest was about to launch another spell, he felt another migraine.

“Thou has strength.” He heard a voice speak to him.

“Thou desires power.”

“Thou called to me.”

Tempest racked his mind with the pain. “What? What are you talking about?”

“The pact has been forged. Now thou shall receive my might!”

Suddenly, the demon began to glow, condensing into a ball. The ball then zoomed into Tempest, surging his body as he let out a cry. The pain was intense, he felt something within him, and then he knew nothing. He collapsed then and there.

XXX

The ships hovered in the air, screaming as they arrived. Below them, Mareia village lay in ruins, the mist flowing all around it But the ships descended, the pilots unafraid of the mist. The largest of them all landed right near where Tempest lay. As soon as it was near the ground, a hatch opened, and a pathway descended. As soon as it opened, a marching sounded as ponies came down. All of them armored and ready. At the front, Ravus led, next to him was a small scientific looking unicorn, next to her hovered a small machine. The soldiers came to a stop as they neared the center of the destruction. Ravus himself, face firm as always looked around.

“I see the esper has emerged.” Said Ravus.

“Tracking it sir.” The unicorn spoke.

The machine in front of her hummed, a small dial pointing like a compass, it centered upon the unicorn laying unconscious.

“Well? Where is it?” Ravus asked.

“This can't be right?” The unicorn said in confusion. “But the reading is coming from that unicorn.

“Are you sure?” Ravus asked again.

“Positive sir.”

Ravus was momentarily confused. Espers only gave off that kind of reading, and if it was coming from a pony.

“So the legends are true.” Ravus said to himself. “Interesting.”

“Sir? What shall we do?” The unicorn asked.

Just then they noticed something emerge from the rubble, it was a pegasus, one who shook off the debris and groggily stepped. The pegasus seemed confused, but that ended as it noticed the unicorn.

“Tempest!” Firefly cried.

She ran towards him, staring momentarily at Glory Shine's corpse. “Tempest come on! Wake up buddy!” She shouted, hoping to prod her friend awake. Just then, a groan came from the unicorn. “Still alive. Come on, we just have to get you some help.”

“Take him.” Ravus finally ordered.

The guards acted, surrounding Firefly.

“What? Who?” Firefly said in confusion.

One of the guards, a burly unicorn, levitated Tempest upon his back.

“Hey wait! Where are you guys taking him?” Firefly demanded.

“That is none of your concern peasant.” Said Ravus, stepping into view. “This is an imperial matter.”

“I don't care about imperial matters or not. You aren't taking my friend anywhere!”

Ravus turned around, ignoring the pegasus.

“Hey! I'm talking to you!” Firefly growled.

Ravus turned around, “Yes? Can I help you?”

“You got two seconds to let my friend go and walk away.” Firefly spat. “Or else!”

“Or else what?” Ravus spoke unintimidated.

“Or else this!” Firefly cried. She dove forward hoof guard outstretch and slashed against Ravus's face.

The unicorn felt pain, and something warm seeping down. He put a hoof to the wound, noting the blood upon his hoof. He turned fully around keeping his composure and gave the order. “Attacking an imperial officer? That's a capitol offense. Take this one too.”

The soldiers surrounded Firefly, grabbing hold of her.

“Hey! Let me go! Let me go you creeps!” She shouted. But it fell on deaf ears. Both her and Tempest were dragged onto the ship. Soon it closed and ascended into the air, leaving behind the ruins of Mareia in it's wake.

Above, someone watched. The knight of chaos observed the destruction, but more so as what had just transpired.

“So my destroyer has taken his first steps. Very fortuitous.” And then he vanished, leaving the imperials to their work.

XXX

Luna felt the surge. An esper had forged a pact. But to one pony in particular. The crystal had shown her the carnage, the destruction of the village. Such a loss. Oh how she wished she could have done something. But her duty to Cosmos was absolute.

“Oh Tempest. You're in pain.” She felt a tear sink down her face. “My poor Tempest.”

And the moon princess, continued to watch and wait.

Author's Note

Wow. Two chapters in two days! I'm a roll. Well, mainly I'm just inspired and I am on vacation, so that helps. Okay. So, the first disaster in the story, and we see our first summon. Well, first summon for a character. In case anyone doesn't know, the esper that joined with Tempest was Diablos. A lesser known summon that first appeared in Final Fantasy 8 I think. Now just to let everyone know, I plan on all of the main characters each receiving an esper. Consider them like how the six main characters of FF 13 each had an Edolian. And as you can see, I have included Ravus from Final Fantasy 15. Least a pony version of him. Now I am not sure if I am portraying him correctly. Now, pony Raves does not have a sister named Lunafreya in this. I mean Princess Luna already plays a role so it wouldn't make sense to have two Lunas in it. I kind of want pony Raves to become his own character instead of simply copy and pasting human Ravus. But we shall see as the story unfolds.

Also, I have hinted at some things that are to come in the future. Now I am not the best at keeping things cryptic, but I have tried. I just hope people enjoy this chapter, and as always leave a comment if you want too. Though I did give this a look over, I still think I probably should find and editor. Know anyone or anyplace I can look?

Oh also, I just upped the rating to include gore after that display of blood. That counts right?