Something I Can Never Have

Chapters

The Aftermath
A Princess's Invitation
One Dance
The Return Home

The Aftermath

What good is magic, when it could never earn me the one thing I wanted most? No matter the amount of force or power, it wasn’t enough. It will never be enough. A restored horn is the one thing I was powerless to take from others.

The unicorn with an orchid coat and a broken horn strode through Canterlot. Her rose-colored tail swished idly. A cobalt blue hedgehog accompanied her. Tempest Shadow watched the ponies around her, paying them moderate attention. Her eyes were lowered and she appeared detached, lost in her own thoughts. No matter how friendly the other mares and stallions were to her, she still felt like an outsider here, a unicorn who didn’t belong. It wasn’t their fault. She knew that. A calm came over her, something she only experienced when she had made up her mind about something.

The Storm King had since been turned to stone. Losing her former position as lieutenant did not bother her greatly. The king had betrayed her. Her hope for a restored horn had been used as a commodity, a simple method of persuasion. The trust was simply a means to an end, a concept Tempest Shadow knew well herself. There had been times she had flat-out declared friendship as worthless. For the majority of her life, she remained by that belief. Something was different now, though. She was reconsidering her position, although she did not know much about what true friendship actually meant. Maybe Twilight Sparkle could teach her more. The unicorn mare and her dragon friend, Spike, were both kind and seemed to genuinely treat her as a friend should.

“Oh, look over there, Tempest! Those lucky ponies have cake! I love cake!” Her companion Grubber interrupted the unicorn’s thoughts. The small hedgehog pointed one of his claws excitedly at a gathering of colts and fillies who were sharing two spongecakes. Tempest Shadow glanced in their direction. From the looks of it, they had more than enough to go around.

“I’m not hungry right now; you can go on ahead and ask for some,” the unicorn answered him. She didn’t care one way or the other what the hedgehog did.

A huge grin spread across Grubber’s face. He ran excitedly in their direction. Tempest watched him. He caught up with the ponies. The rose-maned unicorn heard him talking. By the hedgehog’s reasoning, he decided to get on their good side by amusing them. “So… there was this one owl who was convinced that she could see the future,” Grubber said, motioning and pretending to carry a crystal ball in his claws. “The owl told a filly she knew that she had decided to be a fortune teller. So, like, the next day all these ponies showed up outside her tree. They wanted their fortunes told.” Here Grubber paused for a dramatic effect. “The owl saw how many there were and she said, ‘I didn’t see that coming!’ That’s funny, right?” The hedgehog watched the audience to determine if he was getting a reaction.

The strategy worked. Although, Tempest thought, the ponies seemed to be more amused with Grubber’s antics as he acted out the story than the actual joke. An older Pegasus colt who seemed to be in charge smiled and offered the hedgehog two slices of the spongecake.

“You’re welcome to join us if you want, which it looks like you do,” the colt said in a friendly voice. The coat of the pegasus was a Persian blue gray, with a pale apple green mane and tail. He appeared to be considerably older than the rest, and looked out of place in the group. “But please don’t feel like you have to do something for us in return. My younger sister wanted to share the cakes she baked with as many friends as she could invite. I’m just looking out to make sure nobody wanders off and gets lost.”

“It’s my party, Stormfeather,” a white-maned lavender pegasus filly insisted. She was wearing a small tiara, not a real one, but it did look convincing from a distance. “It’s a royal princess tea party. And I wanted to host it.”

The pegasus, Stormfeather, looked disinterested, but he pointed a hoof at the lavender filly, presumably his sister, who giggled in response. Stormfeather was used to his sister’s behavior and knew to simply play along. Looks like Stormfeather is here simply because he had been given the job of supervising the younger foals, Tempest thought. A colt like that very likely has better things to do. He looks like he’d rather be looking for mares - mares his own age. Although, the pegasus does clearly care about his sister, and he’s past the age where he’d be embarrassed by her.

The hedgehog looked up from his plate, which was covered with crumbs. “Mmmm! This is some great cake,” Grubber said. He liked this type of activity more than serving the Storm King, as long as there was sweet food involved. The filly held out her hoof, and Grubber shook it.

“She’s becoming a great cook!” the pegasus said. “Just so you know, this was all her idea, the only thing I contributed was setting it up for her. She needed someone to go out to this meadow with her and carry the supplies. She asked me, that’s why I’m here.” He noticed Tempest Shadow. “Your unicorn friend can come over, if she wants to,” he said, motioning with a hoof. Grubber glanced in the direction of Tempest and waved at her. He beckoned her to come over and join the filly’s party.

Tempest studied the scene. “I’m not really hungry right now. Thanks for the offer now. You just enjoy yourself.” She considered play-acting beneath her and friendship parties were not something she could understand on a personal level.

The unicorn’s mind went back to the events that had happened since the Storm King had been turned to stone. She glanced back at the hedgehog. Interesting, a soldier who once served the Storm King is now happily eating at a filly’s birthday party. It’s not a common occurrence. Or is it different with Grubber? He was never really a bad guy in the first place. Tempest realized that this was just the type of thing the hedgehog was likely to do. Tempest Shadow was a lieutenant to the Storm King, and Grubber was more like her sidekick than a friend. She still had a lot to learn about friendship. Over the past few months, Tempest Shadow had started treating Grubber better. He had been loyal to her, although she sometimes suspected that he didn’t take his charge as seriously as he should.

Tempest had talked with Twilight Sparkle recently about friendship. The other unicorn mare had helped her see that despite his faults, Grubber was a truly good companion to have. She realized that Grubber had never attempted to turn on her the way the king or her former friends had. It just wasn’t in his nature. The hedgehog was innocent at heart for all his attempts at trying to sound tough. Recently she had grown to appreciate his company.

Grubber finished eating two slices of the spongecake and rejoined Tempest Shadow. “That was good pie,” he said. “Are you sure you don’t want a piece?”

“I’ve already said…well, maybe a small one,” the unicorn replied. Grubber went back and the pegasus filly served him a slice of the cake. Grubber brought back the slice to Tempest. She took half of it and ate it slowly. A brief sparkle flashed in her eyes. The spongecake was surprisingly good for the baking skills of a young filly. Tempest gave Grubber a nod of approval. "Thank you," she said. Their hunger satisfied, the unicorn and hedgehog continued along their way.

A Princess's Invitation

Tempest Shadow paced at a brisk walk through Canterlot. Grubber was some distance behind. No doubt the hedgehog had become preoccupied with something interesting. Canterlot had many distractions. The unicorn mare remained silent, keeping her own thoughts to herself. To an observer she appeared cold and detached. In reality Tempest was simply within her own thoughts. Life at Canterlot was not like any other, to put it simply. The mountainside capital city was known for having a large number of unicorn residents, like herself. It was unicorn magic that played a role in much of the daily life in Canterlot. That included the changing of the seasons. The extent of the unicorn magic was remarkable, to most ponies. To Tempest Shadow, information like this was yet another reminder of her broken horn.

I wonder if each unicorn is acutely aware of the unique value of his or her magic, Tempest pondered. What it would cost to lose it someday. She was grateful to know unicorns like Rarity and Twilight. Neither one of the kindly mares thought any less of her for having a broken horn.

The mare still passed by the School for Gifted Unicorns from time to time. Twilight Sparkle had shown her around the institution, once she had received Princess Celestia's permission. Tempest was grateful for the gesture. It meant Twilight was happy to share a part of Celestia's school with her. Attending that school was the one thing she had wanted the most as a filly. Now she was able to get a taste, at least in part, of what the experience was like. Twilight willingly recounted her own memories and valuable lessons to her new friend. Tempest was now able to look at it from a different perspective, without the constant association it had with her loss. Twilight shared happy memories with her friend, an attempt to replace some of the ones of loss and regret.

She thought about her broken horn still. It bothered her less now, as she long ago had resigned to the fact that what was lost, was lost. She did not blame others for the incident. Most likely she would not have done anything different in a similar situation. I was always braver than the other two fillies. That made me the only one brave enough to venture into the ursa's cave. The creatures are unpredictable. I couldn't have prevented the Ursa Minor from getting angry. Yet other things she closed off from her mind. She would not think of her one-time friends Spring Rain and Glitter Drops. She would not refer to herself as Fizzlepop Berrytwist anymore.

That chapter of my life is closed now.

No it's not, because you're obviously still affected by it.

It's in the past. There's nothing more to say.

Tempest Shadow thought it was fitting that her friend Twilight had entered her mind, for her dragon assistant Spike was in sight. The baby dragon often delivered letters between Celestia and Twilight with his fire breath. Yet, from the way he was approaching her, it looked like Spike was bringing something addressed to her. Tempest walked in his direction with a friendly expression on her face. "Hello, Spike," she said.

"Hi, Tempest!" the dragon greeted her. "Twilight and Rarity wanted me to give this message to you. And also to Grubber, wherever he is." Spike exhaled his green fire breath, which materialized into a letter. He handed it to Tempest Shadow.

"Thank you," Tempest said. She read the letter. It was a simple invitation to a royal party Princess Celestia would be hosting tonight. The message mentioned the time, the location (the ceremonial hall) and there would be a dinner, with music being provided by DJ-P0N-3.

Spike nodded. "They are already at the ceremonial hall by now. Both Twilight and Rarity wanted you to be included and let you know you were welcome to come. Twilight, in particular, wanted you to see this invitation. But both of them also said that you don't have to come along if you don't want to."

"That's understandable," Tempest nodded. "So you decided to give the message directly to me."

"Yep!" Spike replied. "And...well I...I wanted to make Rarity happy, too. I decided it would be best if I explained to you and delivered the message myself. That's why I met you, rather than using my fire breath to send the message to Canterlot as ashes. I'd be willing to put in extra effort for her any day, just if I knew it would make Rarity proud of me."

This did not surprise Tempest, as it was common knowledge to anyone who spent time around Spike that he had a crush on Rarity. She studied the invitation. Something caught her attention, and she looked at the back of the letter. Princess Celestia, the host, had written a note - specifically addressed to her - on the reverse side. Tempest Shadow read it to Spike. "Did you notice this?" she asked him.

Dear Tempest Shadow,

A year has gone by since the invasion of the Storm King's army. Whenever I remember that event, I also remember the unicorn with a broken horn and what motivated you to do what you did. I cannot help but notice you have never stepped hoof near the palace since the day you, I and the other princesses were restored from statues to normal.

The princesses have forgiven you for your actions. I recall the invasion very clearly, but I do not hold on to any resentment towards you for turning me to stone. You must not let your own guilt burden you, Tempest, when forgiveness has been extended. As a new resident, you are likely dealing with complicated emotions as you are adjusting to life in Canterlot. On behalf of the royalty of Canterlot, you are welcome to return to the palace. This invitation is given as a symbol of my forgiveness.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

Tempest Shadow looked back down at the invitation, and flipped it back to the front. "I will come see my friends at Princess Celestia's celebration. But I know I've been forgiven by the other ponies. I understand that. The Friendship Festival showed me as much. It's just that..." Tempest broke off her sentence, shaking her head. "I haven't felt any better after that day."

"I'm not angry at you, Tempest," Spike replied, trying to say the right thing. "Princess Celestia isn't either, and Twilight is your friend. She and Rarity don't treat you any differently for your actions, or for your horn."

"I am grateful for that, Spike. I want you to know it," Tempest nodded sadly. "Would you like to come with me and Grubber to Princess Celestia's party? I think you were coming anyway because of Rarity, but we can go to the palace together." Spike nodded quickly. "Then we will," the unicorn answered. "I will find out where Grubber has gone, and then we will go to the Canterlot Castle together."

Spike, Tempest Shadow and Grubber arrived at the castle early, finding their way to the hall where the party would be. It was evident they had not missed anything, as final preparations were still being made. Grubber and Spike started wandering off. Spike noticed Rarity and Applejack engaging in a casual conversation. He then dragged Grubber along with him in Rarity's direction. Tempest noticed looks of amusement from the few other ponies who had arrived early. It did not matter to her where they went. Spike and Grubber were her friends and could look after themselves.

Tempest gazed off to the stage where the music equipment was being prepared. She recognized DJ-P0N-3, otherwise known as Vinyl Scratch, from the Friendship Festival, and there was a young stallion helping her move the equipment. The stallion had a light mocha-colored coat, and a spiky black and golden mane and tail that stuck out in all directions. His muzzle, eyes, and hooves were all the same dark brown color. He had on a set of headphones and a chain necklace. The mocha stallion set down a stack of vinyl records he had been carrying. He looked back at Vinyl Scratch and was now working with the sound system. The stallion stood by the turntables, adjusted a few knobs, and placed a record on the needle. To Tempest, he looked experienced and knowledgeable about the sound equipment. "Give it a go, Xenon," Vinyl Scratch called up to her friend.

Xenon nodded and tested out the record on the turntable, speeding it up and scratching it with a hoof. The music wasn't so loud that ponies couldn’t talk over it, but still loud enough for everypony to hear clearly. The few early arrivals in the room heard the sound of pounding guitars interspersed with Xenon's turntable scratches. Three of the ponies looked confused, while the others were enjoying it. "Sound good from here?" he asked Vinyl Scratch.

"Yes, everything seems to be working," the DJ replied. She walked to the back of the room. "Okay, turn it up just a little," she instructed Xenon. "I want to ensure everypony in the room can hear the music clearly. I don't want the sound to be too loud during the dinner, though."

In response, Xenon increased the volume slightly. He motioned to Vinyl Scratch. "How's the sound working now in the back?"

"That's the right setting!" Vinyl Scratch replied. She moved up to the front of the room and gave her assistant some instructions. Xenon stopped the record to listen to what she had to say. "That's good. My plan is that you run the turntables for now, while the ponies are still coming in. Play your White Pony album until about five minutes before Celestia starts the event. Then I'll take over and play softer music during the dinner, and then after the meal I'll switch up the music. The volume you set at that adjustment will work, Xenon." The mocha stallion nodded in response.

Vinyl Scratch noticed Tempest Shadow in the corner and walked in her direction since she had recognized the unicorn with the orchid coat. “Hello, Tempest,” she said. “I remember seeing you at the Friendship Festival here, when Songbird was performing. I’ve seen you around Canterlot on a few occasions since then, but I didn’t get the chance to talk.”

Tempest Shadow agreed. “It’s good to see you again. The Friendship Festival was one of the best recent days for me. When you performed your set at the Festival I didn’t see Xenon with you, though.”

“Xenon doesn’t work for me, he’s just a friend who likes to help me out,” the DJ clarified. “I like having him around, and he makes things easier when I have a DJ session in Equestria. I met him about nine months ago, and he told me he had interest in becoming a live DJ himself. Xenon had just broken off a relationship with a mare, and he told me it had ended badly. He wanted something to take his mind off it. So we help each other out. He’s been assisting me with the sound and setting up the equipment and I share my experience and advice with him.”

Tempest Shadow nodded. “I think some of the ponies in the room were confused by his loud music. But I enjoyed it, and I think a few others did as well.”

“Xenon and I have different tastes in music,” Vinyl Scratch explained. “I prefer playing electronic dance music and dubstep for most occasions, while he enjoys alternative metal. It’s an unusual combination, but it works and he told me that we make a good team.”

“I know you need to get ready for your set, but I’m glad you took some time to talk with me,” Tempest said. “It’s been some time since the last time I met you.”

“No problem,” Vinyl Scratch replied. “I have a few more minutes anyway, and several ponies that I’ve seen have told me they respect you or even view you as a hero. How you were willing to be turned into stone in order to stop the Storm King.”

“Then I am grateful,” Tempest replied. “But to be honest, I didn’t have anything heroic in mind. I was just so angry and desperate about the Storm King betraying me. About all that I wanted to do was thwart the plans of my former leader, in any way I could.”

“You did something good, regardless,” Vinyl Scratch reminded her. “I enjoyed talking with you.” She started heading back in the direction of Xenon and the turntables and gave Tempest Shadow a friendly wave. “I have to be on the platform to prepare for my session soon.”

When Princess Celestia announced that the dinner was ready, Tempest Shadow found a place at a table that seated nine. She sat by her friends in the Mane Six, along with Spike and Grubber. For a while the ponies (and a dragon and a hedgehog) merely enjoyed the meal and talked casually. After about fifteen minutes, Tempest felt like she had to discuss the letter that occupied her mind. She wasn't sure if this was the right place to do so, but something about the invitation did not seem right. Reluctantly, she brought the invitation out and placed it on the table. She decided that she had to be honest with her friends and ask them about the story behind Celestia's letter.

She passed the letter to Rarity. The white unicorn looked over the invitation she had asked Spike to deliver. "I'm glad that you decided to go," Rarity said. "And Spike, you did a great job delivering it." She stared at it, and then noticed there were words written on the reverse side. She flipped the invitation over and noticed Celestia's message on the back. "I didn't realize Celestia wrote you a letter," Rarity read through it. "It must have been already inside the invitation when she gave the envelope to me."

"To be honest, I wasn't sure why Princess Celestia would write a personal note to me," Tempest voiced her thoughts. "Unless she thought this was the best method of expressing forgiveness. It's true that she hasn't seen me since we were restored from stone, but I don't understand it."

"I don't want you to feel guilty about your role in the invasion," Rarity said. "We hold no grudges against you and you are our friend. Friends don't carry around ill will."

"To be honest, it's not guilt that I'm feeling," Tempest answered. "I don't think my problem is thinking you and Celestia are angry with me. I know you have all been welcoming, but I don't honestly see myself the way all of you do. And I'm not sure why, either."

Rarity looked over the letter one more time and then showed it to Spike. Twilight Sparkle stood up and motioned to both Spike and Tempest. "Spike, can you and Tempest come over here for a moment? I want to talk with you both, if that's okay." Both of them complied and walked over from the table. "What's this about?" Tempest asked.

From the corner, Twilight Sparkle held a whispered conversation with her dragon friend. "Spike, this note was from Princess Celestia, wasn't it?" Spike nodded emphatically. "You didn't write it yourself?"

"No, Celestia wrote it," Spike replied. There was no guilt or nervousness in his speech. This time, he knew there was no reason to be since he had nothing to hide. "I looked inside the envelope, but I didn't change anything. Even if I wanted to make you and Rarity happy by ensuring Tempest would come. I want her to feel welcome with us, but I don't want to do that by lying to her."

"I thought as much," Twilight Sparkle replied kindly. "And I talked with Princess Celestia earlier today, and she said she would be happy to see you join her party. I wasn't suspicious of you, Spike. I know you well enough that you would not intentionally be dishonest. I just noticed how Tempest looked when Rarity was discussing the letter, and I wanted to put to rest any fears she might have had. Knowing her previous experiences, I would say that it's likely she would have doubts. But Princess Celestia really does forgive you, Tempest."

Spike nodded his head. "It's not a problem for me, I understand. And...you're a nice pony, Tempest. I wouldn't want to lose you as a friend. Or Rarity's trust. I want her to like me, and be proud of me, not distrust me."

"Thank you," Tempest Shadow replied. "Actually, Spike, you and the rest of the Mane Six are the ones I can trust the most. I don't want you to think that I thought the worst of you. It was just...hard for me to accept that the princesses all forgave me. I'm not used to that. And you, Twilight, you didn't write the note either?"

"No. I wouldn't do that to a friend," Twilight replied. "I wanted to make sure you were feeling okay. I can take you to Princess Celestia herself and ask about the note, if you would like."

"That's not necessary," Tempest answered. "You've already done enough and...thanks for clearing that up for me. We should go back to the table and enjoy the food with our friends."

"No problem!" Twilight replied. Spike eagerly returned to the table and took his place next to Rarity. Twilight Sparkle and Tempest returned to their seats. "Tempest was looking sad and I thought that she needed to talk. Spike and I reassured her that she has been forgiven by Celestia and the rest of the Canterlot royalty," Twilight explained to the other ponies. Tempest Shadow and Spike both nodded, and they returned to their seats.

For the remainder of the dinner, Tempest's mind was able to relax more. But her main concerns hadn't been trust issues. She hadn't been suspicious of Twilight or Spike, either. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was broken somehow, in more ways that her horn. As grateful as she was for the ponies' friendship, Tempest wasn't exactly sure how to explain this to them.

One Dance

Tempest Shadow paced around the floor of the hall, waiting for something to happen. The tables and chairs had been put away and Celestia’s party would commence within a space of a few minutes. Vinyl Scratch was playing a record with an upbeat piano-driven song. Tempest stood idly in a corner. She waited patiently, not really taking in her surroundings or the other ponies around her. Her eyes swept around the room. Then she noticed the young stallion she had seen earlier – Xenon – slowly approaching her way. He looked to be about the same age as her, maybe half a year younger or older. Perhaps he was requesting her as a dance partner?

“Hello, Tempest,” Xenon said. “I was wondering if I could talk to you. After I finished preparing for Vinyl’s set I wanted to meet you, but I didn’t get the chance.”

“Yes, this is a good time to talk. Vinyl Scratch told me a little about you. I’m not doing anything right now, just waiting for the dance party to start,” answered the unicorn.

Xenon looked slightly hesitant at first, but then he looked her in the eyes. “Tempest, are you feeling okay?” He paused, and then began again, choosing his words carefully. “I just noticed…that every time I’ve seen you tonight, you looked really sad.Even when you were with your friends it seemed like something was making you unhappy.”

Tempest Shadow lifted her head slightly. “You are certainly perceptive, and I appreciate that you are showing concern for me. I’m not really sure how to answer that, but no, I’m not very happy, at least not recently.”

The stallion pointed a hoof up at the stage. “Is there something specific that is bothering you? I mean…I wanted to make sure you were going to be all right.”

“Well, I’m happy to be here at this party, but I think it’s because events like this are a way to…” Tempest searched for the right words. “Social events are a way to take my mind off my internal thoughts. And talking with my friends helps as well, sometimes.” She stopped, and then added something else. “As for how I feel, well, I’m not sure how to say it.”

“That’s fine,” Xenon said. “If you don’t want to open up about it, then I understand. I have felt the same way myself. One of the reasons I sought out Vinyl Scratch was to create a diversion from my mind. I was...well, she would have already told you this anyway. I was in a relationship with a beautiful Pegasus mare. Her name was Caramel Blaze, and she said she loved me and wanted to spend the rest of her life with me.” He added, “It didn’t work out the way I had planned or hoped.”

“So you and Vinyl Scratch are just friends, then?” Tempest asked. “Since you decided to start assisting her as a way to take your mind off Caramel Blaze.”

The stallion nodded. “We get along well, but you are correct. Vinyl Scratch doesn’t really view me as her coltfriend either, although she has asked what my feelings were before. You know, just because some pony has similar interests with you doesn’t mean they’re meant to be with you romantically. Or that the relationship is going to be a perfect one.”

“You talk like you’ve learned that lesson yourself,” the mare answered thoughtfully. “If this isn't too prodding, was Caramel Blaze into music? You know, the way you are?”

“She was. Expressing what I have on my mind often helps me, in a way,” Xenon said. “My friend Vinyl Scratch sees music as a form of expression. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy helping her out at gigs. Even though we have stylistically different musical preferences, we both have the same viewpoint on music as a whole. I know you were talking to her earlier, but since she’s busy with her set I wanted to…” He broke off his words as the current song ended and the next one started up.

From the stage, Vinyl Scratch had begun playing a celebratory, loud dubstep song. Xenon turned in her direction and motioned to her with his hoof. “It looks like most of the ponies have arrived,” he said, looking around. “Do you and Princess Celestia want to start the party officially?” Vinyl Scratch nodded and adjusted the knob on her record player, turning down the volume enough to get everypony’s attention.

Princess Celestia made her way to the front of the platform. The regal white unicorn looked over at the large turnout. Everypony in the room ceased talking to listen to what she had to say. “Ponies of Canterlot, I am grateful for each one of you that arrived. We are gathered here to simply remember a very special magic in our kingdom – the magic of friendship itself. Celebrate tonight and enjoy this occasion with friends. The dance officially commences now!” At a nod from Princess Celestia, Vinyl Scratch turned up the volume again.

“Would you like to dance with me tonight, Xenon?” Tempest asked.

“Yes, I think you would be a great dance partner,” Xenon replied. “We can talk some more during the dance, Tempest.”

“I’m pretty sure you were working towards that question eventually,” Tempest said, breaking into a rare smile. “But for now, we dance and listen to the music. Remember what Princess Celestia said. We are here at a happy event.” Xenon took Tempest’s hoof and they made their way from the side of the stage to the other ponies in the center of the room.

Xenon and Tempest Shadow danced as a pair alongside the edge of the crowd. For a while both remained silent. At some points the two were performing their own moves in the center of a circle of ponies. Once they were done, the mare and stallion allowed other ponies to take the center. Xenon made his way over to a line of ponies, and he and Tempest followed whatever moves this group ponies was performing. After about half an hour had gone by, Vinyl Scratch let up on the tempo during a few songs. Tempest Shadow felt she had to say something to Xenon. Vinyl Scratch wasn’t playing any slow dance songs tonight, but she decided now was a good opportunity.

“Xenon?” she asked.

“Yes, Tempest?”

“I think about my broken horn a lot,” the mare told him. “Other times I feel like I’m supposed to be happy given that I’m in a better situation, and then I’m confused when I don’t feel any better. When you asked me if I was okay, I wasn’t sure how I should respond to the question. It’s just that no pony, other than my friend Twilight Sparkle on occasion, has really asked me that before. Maybe to them I appear bored or apathetic when I’m inside my own head.”

“Your broken horn isn’t your fault, regardless of what those fillies may have told you,” Xenon answered quietly, so that only Tempest could hear. “Vinyl Scratch once told me that unresolved emotions are a reality sometimes. Not all situations end as ideally as we want them to.”

“Vinyl Scratch seems to think highly of me, and of you,” the orchid mare observed. “I’m glad you have her as a friend.” Something about the stallion’s reserved manner and demure approach appealed to Tempest. It made her feel more comfortable talking to him. Admittedly, his status as an earth pony likely had something to do with her confidence in her conversation. He had never owned a horn, so he couldn’t look down on me for having a broken one , the mare thought to herself.

From Tempest’s previous experiences, she wasn’t entirely sure whether an unfamiliar unicorn would view her on an equal plane, treating her as one of them. It wasn’t that she was intentionally distrustful. As a filly, she had received many negative reactions from her broken horn, when she still called herself Fizzlepop Berrytwist. It was only recently that she had met Twilight and Rarity and the rest of the Mane Six, and even then it took her some time to accept that they viewed her as a friend.

“Many ponies, unicorns, and pegasi here do as well,” Xenon reminded her. “They aren’t angry at you for what happened.”

“I know that, and my friends Twilight and Rarity have told me the same. Sometimes I only think that…” she paused. “I think we should go back to just dancing and enjoying Princess Celestia’s party. Let’s enjoy this night.” She offered her hoof to Xenon. “I’ll lead in the dance this time.”

After the celebration had finished, Tempest Shadow lingered in the room. Vinyl Scratch and Xenon were packing up their records and equipment. Tempest watched them both with a quiet smile. “Looks like you have made a new friend tonight,” Vinyl Scratch told Xenon kindly.

The mocha stallion looked over at his new dance partner. “Well, if she wants, we could meet up again another time,” he said.

Tempest Shadow nodded. “I can ask Spike if he could send an invitation over with his fire breath, once I decide where I would like to go. You were a good dance partner.”

“Thanks,” Xenon replied. “You were too.” He stacked up the vinyl discs, and then set them down. The stallion walked off into another room, and then re-entered holding the stem of a pink rose in his mouth. He set it down near Tempest’s hooves. “Here you go,” he said. “In case you have anything planned with me in the coming week or so.”

Tempest accepted the flower. With a nod towards Xenon, she carried it between her teeth and began looking for Spike and Grubber. After some searching outside, she saw that they were both leaving the castle in the company of three of the Mane Six: Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. Spike had a few gems he had saved for later. That was fine with Tempest, she sometimes preferred going by herself.

Twilight Sparkle was leaving the castle around the same time. She smiled when she saw her friend holding Xenon’s rose. “Tempest, it looks like you met a special colt tonight,” she said. “I’m happy for you. I noticed that you and that colt seemed to be having a good time.”

“How was the dance for you?” Tempest Shadow asked, setting the rose down for a moment.

“Oh, I saw a few handsome colts there,” Twilight replied. “But I mostly danced as a member of a large group of ponies, with my friends.” Tempest nodded. She and Xenon had danced among Twilight’s circle for a good part of the night. “Are you going to try to meet up with him again?” Twilight wanted to know.

“He wanted to, and I would like to make plans for it,” the orchid mare replied. “Although we haven’t planned anything yet. The one thing I don’t understand is…I was having a great time, and Xenon behaved like a gentlecolt to me. Yet in the middle of the dance, I started talking to him about how I still think about my broken horn, and how I’m not happy when I feel I should be happy. Is there something wrong with me thinking that? In the middle of the dance, I mean.”

“I think you handled the situation very well,” Twilight said. “You told Xenon how you were feeling, and then you decided to focus on the dance – something good – for the night. I don’t think you spoiled the night at all if Xenon gave you that rose. You were just being honest with him.”

Tempest Shadow nodded at her friend's response. She felt a little better. "I want to meet Xenon again soon. That was a good night, and he was very kind to me. Twilight...you should thank Spike for inviting me when you get back to your house. He’s already left with Rarity, but he’s not that far ahead.” She picked up the rose and strode back in the direction of her house.

“I will! Have a good night,” Twilight called after her. The winged unicorn galloped off in the direction that Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash had left from the castle.

The Return Home

The streetlamps flooded the city path ahead with light. Xenon walked alone, after Vinyl Scratch arrived at her own house. He had quietly set down the records he had been carrying inside his friend’s home. From there he went his separate way. The stallion’s house was nearby, only a few streets down from Vinyl Scratch’s, but he had another place in Canterlot where he needed to stop first.

The mocha stallion crossed over to a residential street. Scanning the row of houses on either side, he strode down the walkway. It was a blue one he was looking for, a few doors down. With a small jump, he hopped upon a wide porch once he found the correct house. With one hoof, he rapped against the door three times. The stallion stood patiently as he waited for a response.

The door swung open, and a tired-looking babysitter unicorn mare stood in the doorway. She looked slightly younger than Xenon, just old enough to be finishing up school. The stallion heard the sound of several hoofbeats going up the stairs. Four small foals rushed upstairs in excitement. Xenon greeted the babysitter. “Hello,” he said. “I’m just here to pick up Amber Charm.”

The unicorn mare nodded. She didn’t have to call anyone, though, as a tiny caramel-colored filly with brown eyes and a yellow mane rushed to the door. She was one of the youngest foals of the bunch, just past the point where she had been weaned. “Happy!” she said.

“Well, aren't you the sweetest little filly,” Xenon greeted the foal. “It’s time for me to take you home now. Can you say goodbye to your friends?”

“Bye, everypony!” Amber Charm said in her enthusiastic foal voice.

Xenon spoke quietly to the babysitter unicorn. “Thank you for watching Amber while I was gone. I didn’t want to leave at her house all alone. There was nobody else I knew who was available to watch her.”

The two ponies walked at an easy pace down the road. Xenon walked alongside the little filly, looking on ahead and keeping a close eye on her. “I was at a party for ponies my size,” he explained. “Did you have fun with your best friends?”

“Happy, Berry Hooves took my tiara. I really asked her not to,” Amber Charm answered sulkily. Her yellow tail swished back and forth. She watched her shadow and Xenon’s as they walked the short distance towards their house.

“That’s not good,” Xenon said. “Berry Hooves shouldn’t take your things without asking permission. Did you ask her to give you your tiara back?”

“She did give it back. Said I wasn't a real princess. Only after she told all the other foals she was the queen,” Amber Charm replied.

Xenon addressed the little filly. “You know, it doesn’t matter what Berry Hooves says. You’ll always be a little princess. You’re special.” The filly's ears perked up.

Amber Charm and Xenon arrived at the small house. The little caramel filly was tired from her playdate, so it was a simple matter for the stallion to tuck her in. He put on some quiet music in the background, and gently shut the door.

Xenon walked to the other side of the house. He walked through a doorway and laid himself down on a pile of blankets in the middle of the room. He sat alone in perfect stillness, his mind occupied as he thought about his encounter with Tempest that day. The young stallion reached for a flashlight, and opened the book that lay beside the bedding.

A photograph fell out from the book, depicting a caramel colored Pegasus mare with a white mane and tail alongside a newborn foal with a coat the same color. The place was quiet. The complete silence in the house too often kept him awake at night. He had to listen for other sounds, inside the house and out, in order for him to rest. If Xenon concentrated, he could hear faint strains of his daughter’s music from her room.

The stallion exhaled slowly, lowered his head and closed his eyes. Soon he would be asleep.

Author's Note

I decided to split the progress of Xenon and Tempest's romance into two separate stories, mainly because I felt this scene, from Xenon's perspective, made a better ending chapter than a transition in the middle of a story. The second part will deal with the progression of their relationship, as well as the details behind Xenon's failed relationship and Amber Charm's birth. Again, this is the first story I have written on this site, so if you see something that needs improvement, please be gracious.