Author's Note
There's are spoilers from the movie and movie prologue, so tread carefully.
Dreaming of a Better Day
The room was filled with the overflowing light that beamed down from the windows. Vibrant colors painted the floor, and one lone unicorn who stood in the middle of it all.
“Tempest? Are you going to speak up?” Celestia watched her closely, occasionally using her hoof to brush away the flowing hair she adorned.
Tempest felt her eyes fall back to the ground. The floor she stood on was painted with the new stained glass window.
This one however showed off the clash she caused. At the top was the Staff of Sacanas as it sparked with brilliant bolts. The Storm King laughed as Tempest stood at the center preparing to fight. But as it reached the bottom, the 6 heroes and their allies stood ready to fight.
Finally Tempest felt it was okay to look up, “No, my Princess. I don't have any words.”
Luna looked shocked for a moment, “Why do you not, Tempest? Are you scared?”
Tempest felt the urge to leave but kept herself in place, “I'm not scared, I'm absolutely mortified. If things didn't go as planned this whole kingdom would be destroyed! All because of me!”
“Tempest.” Celestia spoke as she stepped down from her throne. “And because of You, this kingdom also didn't fall. Perhaps you just need time to realize that.” She let her wing hug the fearful Unicorn.
Luna smiled, “If you wish, tonight you can stay here and I could tell you why Celestia is so gentle with this.” A glimmer shone in her eyes, “You are not alone, dear Tempest.”
For once, Tempest looked the Alicorn in the eye. The fear she had a moment before vanished as she felt an odd comfort. “Are you serious?”
Celestia lifted her wing and walked back, “It would be for the better. You are not the only one who did wrong and was saved. Now go.”
The doors slid open and two guards came in, “They shall escort you to the room. Rest up, for you will be up late.”
When the moon had risen and the darkness overtook the sky, Luna made her way quietly through the guest halls. As usual they were filled with a unnerving silence. But as is every part of the castle not in use.
Stopping at the last door in the hall, she pushed it open and peered in. Tempest seemed uncomfortable as she slept, tightly pulling on her blankets the unicorn looked as if she was trying to fight off something.
“You poor thing.” Luna whispered under her breath as she stepped close. But instead of waking up the unicorn, she chanted in her mind. The space between the two rippled for a moment as Luna closed her eyes and let her mind take over.
In an instant she felt lighter and she hovered in an old Ponyville. Landing on a nearby rooftop she looked around. Tempest was dreaming of the past.
“What do you.. mean?” The small filly was about to cry but held it in.
“I'm not trying to be mean, Fizzle. I just came by to say farewell since we all got invited to the school.” A yellow filly looked rather uncomfortable.
“But you know it was my dream to go there!” Fizzle yelled. “All I ever wanted was to be the gifted unicorn and because of this dumb incident I never will be!” Tears ran down her face as she slammed the door. The other filly shook his head and ran back to the group who was standing behind him before leaving the house.
Luna flew to the back window and peered in. Young Tempest at this point was already damaged. She had some sort of wrap over her right eye and the front of her hair was parted over the broken horn.
“I should've known they were idiots.” She scowled and searched through a few drawers. “But whatever, I don't need them. I'll do fine on my own.” Tempest removed a small bag that already appeared to be packed and threw it on her back.
Stepping back near the door she looked out the window. Once the other fillies left she walked out and glanced about before heading towards the back end of the town.
Luna followed closely as she watched the young Tempest walk out and never even look back. Then the whole area began to ripple again.
Suddenly they were in an old run down town. Tempest was much older now and she had some sort of gem snug under the black cape she wore.
“I need to get out of here.” Close by were Storm Guards who were inspecting everyone in the area. But as they turned their backs to check on something Tempest snuck out and ran for the outskirts.
Oftentimes caravans were out to escort those who either came or wish to leave Klugetown. Which made Tempest grin wickedly when she noticed a brown earth pony quietly packing up things.
“Oh, Excuse me sir!” As Tempest ran over Luna hovered close and watched curious. “I need to get out of here, turns out I ran out of bits, y’know.” She laughed.
The earth pony smiled. “Anywhere in particular or are you just out traveling?” He hopped up and left the door open for Tempest.
“Nowhere. I just want to see the world is all.” Stepping up she closed the door and felt relief when the cart starting moving.
“What is she doing?” Luna landed atop the cart and listened in on the conversations for hours. It started out like nothing, Tempest was simply being friendly from the sounds of it. But as the temperature dropped and the night fell, something was getting more and more clear.
Tempest was getting unnerved. Often she would glance out the window and look around causing the other pony to ask if something was wrong.
She lied through her teeth up to the moment when a blaring siren filled the air. “You need to get out of here!” She yelled and pulled off her cape. “Wear this, they won't see you!”
The pony ran out into the woods and Luna watched as Storm Guards dropped from the sky and began to chase him. Tempest ran in the opposite direction when all seemed distracted.
The Princess wanted to follow but stopped when she heard something else land. Turning around she stood face to face with the enemy.
“D-don't worry boss, we'll get her!” The lowly sidekick appeared to be mortified. “They're chasing her right this moment!”
“So you say…” The Storm King began to step in the direction Tempest went. “Keep that up, I have something I wish to check.” Quietly walking away Grubber shivered and looked back in the direction of the Guards.
But the Storm King already knew where she was. Luna followed behind him occasionally flying close just to look at him. She didn't get the chance when she was stone, so this was something to behold.
As he got closer to Tempest, he slowed down and seemed to crouch. On all fours he slipped past her without being noticed and waited by a tree.
“What fools.” Tempest snickered and looked at the gem. “So this is that Emerald I've heard of? Doesn't seem all that special.”
“But it does bring bad luck. Doesn't it?” Tempest perked her ears up and looked around but the King seemed to just pop up before her.
“Where did you come from?!” Her heart beat faster and faster by the moment. Pushing her back into the rock she was leaning on she looked back down at the gem.
“Hand it over.” He reached out a clawed hand. Tempest was thinking not to. “Time is ticking, Unicorn.” Nodding she rolled it to him.
“What are you going to do to me?” She cowered but tried to hold her stance. “Kill me? Or… worse?” She swallowed.
“Depends. Gripping the gem it shattered in his hand as the shards fell to the ground. “The Bad Luck Emerald is said to hold power beyond comprehension. But at the downfall that it brings the holder incredibly bad luck.” He turned back to her, “I need power, someone strong. Would you do the job if I saved your pathetic life?”
Tempest looked in awe at the Storm King who stood there quietly. “I… I can.” Standing up she bowed her head. “All you need is to take powerful from Equestria, the place I abandoned. You could control anything.”
“Anything?” He laughed. “Then come. We have to speak of some things.” Holding onto her hair so she couldn't run, the two headed back to the caravan.
“She was fearful, how odd.” Luna followed but couldn't help but feel for her. She too once felt scared when she chose the path she went on. But she went for power, and as the princess followed she felt that might be why Tempest did as she did.
When they arrived at the camp the Pony from before was tied up against a tree. “I'm so sorry!” Grubber cowered but the Storm King walked past with Tempest.
“Shut up and get on the ship. We have things to plan for.” The Storm King climbed up and motioned for Tempest to come. The two stepped into a room at the center of the skiff and locked the door.
“Show me where this kingdom is, uh…” He looked down at her.
“Call me Tempest.” Stepping close to the map she looked it over. Little skulls were painted over what she assumed were kingdoms he destroyed. “Well. Equestria is to the West. The item we need to retrieve is to the East, supposedly someone called Scorpan holds it close for what it could potentially do.”
The Storm King wrote notes on the map with marker. “And what CAN it do? I'm rather curious, I've never heard of this Scorpan or even headed to this domain.” Stepping back he went to a bookshelf and pulled out a book. “Show me.”
Taking the book out of his hands she flipped through. It covered varying kingdoms or relics that held some sort of importance. “And you never went in this yourself?” She stopped on a page.
“Implying I have time to read about nonsense.” Snatching the book up he read over the page. “The Staff of Sarcanas? Heh, it does seem interesting. If it really can do what it says and rip magic out of whatever you use it on, then what am I stealing?”
Luna looked down at Tempest who clearly Didn't want to say the truth. “If we do this, and I tell you. You NEED to fix my horn. Promise me that.” She held out her hoof.
“Oh of course. You can have whatever you want.” As he went to shake it Luna stepped behind him and watched as he crossed his fingers. Suddenly everything was coming together.
The next thing the Princess knew, the Storm Legion was standing outside a crumbling kingdom. The King and Tempest walked through the main hall and opened the stone doors that lead to the Throne.
An aged Scorpan sat surrounded by guards. One at which wielded the ragged staff.
“You can't just take it!” Scorpan stood up and his scorpion tailed swayed back and forth.
“And why can't I?” The Storm King laughed and snatched up the staff. “I promise to return it. Or at least, I would, but wouldn't it be shameful to return something to a corpse?”
Tempest stood at his side, “Scorpan, once we're done you'll wished you knew how to truly use it.” She looked to guards. “Tie him up. I want to return later and laugh in his face once we're done.”
The two walked out of the room but Luna stayed to listen. Scorpan bowed his head, “Do they know nothing?! That staff could bring down the fall of our world.” Distressed, he did nothing to stop the Guards from tugging on his frame and forcing him to the seat. “This world will be doomed…”
Flying back out, Luna watched Tempest climb onto her own Skiff. “My King, head back and get prepared. I will siege the castle and capture the princesses for you.”
“It is appreciated. But don't fail me, or you know the consequences.” Going onto his own ship the Guards began to split up. Tempest watched the King depart and went to the wheel.
“So it shall be done.” She pulled up a map. “Understand, Guards, that they will try to fight. But I can handle this on my own.” She smiled. “They'll never know what hit them.”
Luna sat on the ship beside Tempest, occasionally she would look at the Unicorn but then sigh and wait.
“I can't believe you just gave in.” The Princess knew Tempest wasn't like this anymore. But she couldn't help but feel the bitter sting.
“You can't?” Tempest’s voice drifted in the dream until Luna suddenly snapped awake.The unicorn was sitting up in her bed.
“Why didn't the dream… Was that what happened to you?!” Luna felt her draw drop slightly. “You did all that before you came here? You betrayed people, killed…”
Tempest hung her head, “I was scared and thought power would make me stronger mentally. You did the same thing Luna.”
“You're right. But you went through so much before that.”
Tempest went to speak but thought for a moment longer. “I did, and for that we are one in the same. But did you keep me here for the night just to learn this?”
Luna nodded, “Celestia thought if I could get closer to your dreams I could learn and see if what you did was entirely your choice, then we would decide. But I feel that it wasn't an easy one, and for that I still trust you.”
Tempest was taken back, “You trust me?” She laughed slightly, “Like a hundred percent do?! Even after what I did?!”
Luna smiled, “I do Tempest. As you said, we're one in the same and Celestia will be glad to hear the news.” As she began to walk out she felt Tempest latch onto her.
“Thank you so much, Princess!” Luna hugged the Unicorn back with her wing.
“And thank you, Tempest. For now I no longer feel alone in this world. The moon will be brighter for now on.” The Princess smiled. “I'll protect you now.”
