Knowledge Brings Change

The Storm Troops are a powerful army of yetis that rule several regions with an iron fist, their armada of airships, armed to the teeth and brimming with loyal soldiers, making them practically invincible, and it was all under the thrall of the mighty Storm King. He resembled his yeti soldiers to a degree, being mostly bipedal, with black skin and a snow white fur coat, however, he had a more slender build, and his head, apart from being adorned with a crown of horns, was a lot more expressive, with eyes that held much more intelligence than the average yeti. Yet, despite all his grandeur, the Storm King's entire persona could be summed up in four words: maniacal, egotistical, deceptive, and dull-witted. In a word that a certain fashionista would most likely approve of, he was a brute. He was currently sitting in the throne room of his flagship, brooding, waiting for an initial report from any of his numerous flunkies he had combing the surrounding areas for anything he could use to ensure the continuity of his rule, be it resources or potential sources of power.

One such source of power was, supposedly, the... (what did Tempest call it?) The Staff of Sacanas. Said staff was currently clutched in the Storm King's left fist, the base braced against the ground as he sat in his throne. Supposedly, the overly long, double pronged tree branch with a gaudy crystal at the top was supposed to be capable of channeling the most powerful magic of Commander Tempest's home kingdom, the magic of the Princess's, though, until the Storm King had access to this magic it was little more than a walking stick. Tempest had better not delay her progress report much longer; it had already been several days since she instigated her incursion into her home country; this Equestria, on his behalf (and his dime) and the Storm King's already miniscule patience was wearing thin.

As if on cue, one of his many yeti soldiers came stumbling into the room.

"You had better have good news to report," the Storm King sneered sinisterly. "Otherwise, I might just alleviate my frustration by tossing you overboard and timing how long it takes for you to hit the ground!"

Either the yeti was too scared to react, or was used to such comments from his commanding officer, because his only reaction was to gesture erratically and let out a series of indiscernible grunts, then he produced a glass bottle containing a luminous blue liquid, which was emitting a jingling sound, and pointed at it excitedly. The Storm King's gloomy expression melted away as he smiled sinisterly. Only Tempest used this arcane form of communication to contact him, and she only did so when it was important.

Standing from his throne, the Storm King and the lone Storm Soldier entered a small room adjoining the throne room, which housed a single cauldron. The Storm King tapped his staff impatiently as the yeti fumbled with the cork, and when he finally managed to open the bottle he poured its glowing contents into the cauldron. Directly afterwards a wall of blue flame erupted from the cauldron, a familiar equine chest draped in obsidian armor visible in the flickering light.

"Now this isn't right," said the Storm King, arching an eyebrow as he peered through the flames, tilting his head in different directions as he tried to right the angle of the image. "Ridiculous! I can never understand how this spell works."

"This way, sir. No, the other way. Almost there. A little bit to the right. No, that's too far." Tempest's familiar gruff voice echoed from the flames, trying to guide her superior into the right angle; a song and dance that was apparently common between them.

It was when he ducked down slightly that he was finally able to stare into the familiar squinty eyes on Tempest's forever scowling face. "Ah, there you are. I take it everything has gone according to plan, Tempest?"

"Affirmative, my liege," replied Tempest with a sharp nod. "We have succeeded in subjugating the ponies and their pathetic Princesses to your rule. Soon, their magic will be yours to command."

"And this magic, it will make me invincible?" asked the Storm King before thrusting the Staff of Sacanas forward indignantly. "And this little branch will let me use it?"

"I assure you, my Lord, once you wield the power of Equestria's Princesses, your rule will be absolute and indomitable," replied Tempest, her stoic demeanor unchanging.

"It had better," sneered the Storm King, his expression darkening. "Remember Tempest, only I have the power to restore your horn. Grant me the power you have promised and you will be rewarded. Fail, and your horn won't be the only thing that's broken. Understand?"

"I do," said Tempest without missing a beat.

With those words, the Storm King's expression became cheerful. "Great. I'll pop right down and..."

Suddenly, the image of Tempest began to distort and wobble, then flickered and vanished.

"Bah! Cheap thing!" declared the Storm King, kicking the cauldron, which ricocheted off the opposite wall and back towards the Storm King, who nonchalantly avoided it with a tilt of his head, the cauldron impacting something with a loud clang. "Remind me to redouble the workload of whoever we pilfered it from."

When he didn't receive a reply the Storm King looked around to see that the cauldron had impacted the head of the yeti who had brought Tempest's "call" to his attention and knocked him out.

"Oops," he said with a chuckle. "Oh well."

With that, he made his way to the deck to order his troops to set out for Equestria. He had a date with destiny and he didn't intend to be late.

___

If the Storm King had thought that entering Equestria was going to be just like entering any other kingdom he had subjugated in the past, he had been sorely mistaken. As his flagship, as well as the rest of his armada flew overhead, he noticed that the land below was strewn with the multiple wrecks of his airships. This was perplexing as much as it was enraging. Usually while meeting up with Tempest after a conquest, the section of the armada under her command would be strategically positioned at crucial points in the sky above the conquered, awaiting his arrival. This, this was casualties on a scale that was astronomically unacceptable. The Storm King scowled as he observed each wreck that had once been a mighty airship, his grip on the Staff of Sacanas tightening so hard his black knuckles turned as white as his fur coat.

Tempest hadn't informed him they had suffered such losses, and they weren't small either. In fact, this could greatly cripple his forces, so much so it might just affect his hold on the nations under his rule, which, in turn, would lead to uprisings and resistance, and those were always a pain in the horns to clear out.

"Tempest..." he growled to no one in particular. "You had better have a very good explanation for this, or your legs will be joining your horn, no matter how much of this so-called "all powerful" magic you lay before me!"

At the end of this trail of devastation was the capital of this place, "Canterlot", Tempest said it was called. The sight of it only made his mood sour further. All the pastels and grandeur; not to mention how "cute" it all appeared, it was all so revolting, and totally not his style. You don't appear big, tough and powerful if everything you rule over is so colorful. The only saving grace was that, on the sizable platform at the edge of this gag-inducing settlement, there were the loyal soldiers he had placed under Commander Tempest's leadership, marching forward to undoubtedly greet his arrival with the respect only he deserves, Tempest and Grubber marching at the head of the procession.

Though the wreck of yet another of his airships behind them irked him as greatly as everything else had.

As the flagship settled parallel with the edge of Canterlot a black gangplank was extended and the Storm King strode down, flanked by his elite guard of yeti soldiers; about eight in total, each carrying a double pronged javelin; the primary weapon of his army, as well as a large unit of his regular soldiers. He glared down at Commander Tempest as he arrived before her (though how much longer she remained a Commander had yet to be determined), banging the base of the Staff of Sacanas hard against the cobblestones beneath his feet.

"Care to explain to me why my fleet is strewn across the landscape like ugly lawn decor, Tempest?" he asked through gritted teeth, a dangerous edge to his voice.

Tempest, without the slightest change in her stoic demeanor, inclined her head respectfully. "My deepest apologies, your grace. The Alicorn Princesses turned out to be more formidable than we initially believed."

The Storm King developed a tic on his neck and he gritted his teeth harder. "You mean to tell me that three prissy ponies did all this?"

"As I informed you, my lord, the Alicorns possess the most powerful magic in the world, and with it they managed to destroy the fleet," said Tempest, her tone still unshaken. "But in the end we were still triumphant."

If there was one thing, just one thing, the Storm King respected about his commander, other than her prowess in battle, it was her inherent ability to maintain her demeanor in his presence, regardless of what mood he was in. However, that wouldn't spare her his ire.

"Do you realize that this is a major blow to our organization?" he shouted, banging his staff on the ground again, harder this time. "Bah, this powerful pony magic! Regardless of this supposed victory, these losses have drastically reduced our manpower! How am I supposed to keep portraying the image of the biggest, baddest dude around with such crippled forces?"

"The magic of the Princesses aren't the only spoils of this conquest, your majesty," said Tempest, gesturing to the lush landscape of Equestria, dotted with trees and vegetation, still with no noticeable change in expression. "Equestria has more bountiful resources than most of the lands we have conquered, especially trees. We can use these resources to rebuild the armada, possibly bigger than ever. And, using the population as slave labor, it shouldn't take long."

The Storm King followed Tempest's hoof and peered out at Equestria. He had first found it all disgustingly green, but now that his commanding officer pointed it out, all these lush trees would make suitable building material for his armada. Yes, Tempest brooks a good argument. It would be especially satisfying to see all these frilly ponies building airships for his armada. Yes, looking around, he now noticed that several cages were set up around the city, each one housing a certain number of ponies. They looked a little too demure and colorful, but he didn't have to "like" them for them to make good slaves.

"You present a good argument, Tempest," said the Storm King, tapping his chin and he surveyed the imprisoned ponies and the wooded landscape, then turned his attention back to Tempest, a slight smile crossing his features. "Very well, we shall proceed as planned. You have these Princesses confined, I presume?"

Tempest nodded, "Affirmative. After they decimated the fleet I was able to strike with my obsidian orbs. They are safely contained, all that is left is for you to use the Staff of Sacanas to claim their magic."

"Then lead the way," said the Storm King, a noticeable edge of impatience in his voice.

Tempest nodded, then turned around and began trotting forward. However, before she got too far, the shaft of the Staff of Sacanas was draped across her neck from behind. "However, your continued career in my army will depend solely on how satisfied I am with this magic of the Princesses that you hold in such high regards."

"Understood, sir," said Tempest, her composure still unshaken.

With that, the Storm King withdrew the Staff of Sacanas and let Tempest lead him through Canterlot, surrounded by both his personal guards, his legions and Tempest's troops, Grubber's chubby form trailing behind the proceeding.

___

The sight that greeted him towards...whatever their destination may be, actually served to elevate the Storm King's mood. Everywhere he looked he could see his yeti soldiers corralling these pastel equines, either locking them in cages, or leading them around in chains. It further affirmed that, even with the loss of so many airships, his forces were still the toughest bunch around, and now that he had access to Equestria's resources, he would soon be stronger than ever. The color and grandeur still irked him, but after they stripped this place down for resources he wouldn't have to put up with it anymore.

Tempest led the Storm King and his accompanying proceedings towards the grand castle of Canterlot, the seat of power for all of Equestria. The decor of this place was even more revolting to the Storm King than the grandeur of the city itself had been. He could practically feel his own masculinity diminish with each step he took; his glowering face was illuminated by shifting colors as filtered sunlight shone through the stained glass windows he strode passed.

"A joke! Tell me this is a joke!" he snarled, looking around with an obvious gag. "All this cuteness and color. How do you ponies live like this?"

"It never really was my thing, my lord," said Tempest dryly.

For the first time since arriving, the Storm King seemed slightly amused. "No, I guess it isn't."

It made sense that Tempest's characteristics didn't align with the social norms of her people, otherwise she wouldn't have been so easy to draw into the Storm King's cause. She had betrayed everything her nation stood for for her own gain. It was too bad her treachery wouldn't have a reward. He would pity her if he didn't find the concept so utterly amusing.

They arrived at a set of massive double doors, which Tempest had two yetis open. Beyond was hopefully the last highly colorful room that the Storm King would have to put up with here. It was obviously the throne room, judging by the ornate golden throne at the end opposite the room. The room was also decorated with more stained glass windows, a long red carpet leading up to the throne, and...was the throne flanked by a fountain?

These ponies and their repulsive need for tranquility.

In the center of the room three crystalline structures were arranged in a triangular pattern; one much taller than the other two. The were roughly equine in shape, though unlike all the captives he had seen along the way, the trio each had both a horn and wings; the unique ruling class of pony Tempest says her people refer to as Alicorns. Each one had an expression of horror etched on their faces, which was fitting, considering who was responsible for bringing them low. The Storm King chuckled at the sight, for he knew these were no mere statues. This is what his obsidian orbs do. They entrap their targets in black crystal, leaving them for the Storm King to do with however he pleased. And boy, did he have plans for these three.

What were their names: Princess Sunbutt, Princess Moonbutt, and Princess Lovebutt?

However, as the Storm King approached the immobilized figures, with his personal guards in tow, he failed to notice that Tempest's troops hadn't followed them in, rather, they remained in the hall outside. Tempest, for her part, had followed the Storm King into the throne room, but hadn't remained at his side. She had stayed back to close the two massive doors behind them, and then barred them, and when she turned to stare at the Storm King's back as he proceeded forward towards the captives, all sense of loyalty had vanished from her features, to be replaced by a expression of animosity... then a teal sheen briefly washing over her eyes as sunlight poured in through the stained glass windows.

Standing in the center of the arranged figures the Storm King was about to plant the Staff of Sacanas into a slot that was installed in the floor, doing so would supposedly activate the staff and trigger the magic transfer... then suddenly the figure directly before him, the tallest one, sprang to life. Suddenly as animated as a living creature, the crystalline mare slapped the Staff of Sacanas out the Storm King's hands; much to his astonishment, sending it spiraling through the air, where it impacted a window, shattering it to pieces, and flew off into the distance. The Storm King could only watch through the shattered window as his ultimate weapon twirled into the sky, far out of his reach, an expression of incomprehension on his face.

However, before he could fully grasp what happened, the other two statues suddenly sprang to life as well. The three of them broke their triangular formation, and stood before the Storm King, their heads lowered and horns poised, pawing at the ground aggressively. He took an involuntary step back, a look of shock and horror on his face, his royal guard backpedaling alongside him. In all his years of conquest, never have victims of his obsidian orbs retained such mobility.

"Tempest!" he snarled, turning to his commanding officer standing near the door, his face contorted with rage, "Why are they still moving...?" That's when he saw something that he never would have thought he would ever see, and it left him speechless.

Tempest was standing before the now barred door, head lowered and pawing at the ground as well, her expression carrying none of her stoic loyalty he was familiar with, instead she looked at him like she would an enemy!

The Storm King's expression grew even darker, baring his fangs in a furious snarl. "You! You dare betray me?"

"Betray?" inquired Tempest, her voice carrying a tone he had never heard before. "I was never on your side!"

Before the Storm King could say anything; before he could bring up all the nations she had helped subjugate to his rule, Tempest Shadow was consumed by a pillar of green flames that stretched all the way up to the ceiling. He and his eight guards could only watch, dumbstruck as the visage of Tempest Shadow, illuminated in the light, began to crack like the reflection in a mirror that was on the verge of shattering. Then she broke apart, and the pillar of flames dissipated. In her place stood a creature the likes of which even the Storm King hadn't seen in his many travels.

It was equine, like the ponies, but with a sinister appearance that gave even the yeti in the room a run for their money in the intimation department. The primary color of this thing that had worn the visage of Tempest was black, and, rather than a fur coat, it possessed what appeared to be hard chitin. It had a horn, long, pointed, and lethal, jutting from its forehead. Its eyes lacked pupils, just cyan orbs situated within two sockets that adorned a skull that seemed to lack any form of mouth. Two wings sprouted from the back, fully extended, as if in intimidation, resembling a swallowtail butterfly's wings. From its rear a long black tail extended, whip-like, and gleaming like oil.

And, as if to add a bit of regality, the thing wore flowing robes of moss green fabric and had a large amulet dangling from its neck, the pendant resembling interlocking serpent coils. The same image was etched into the front of the robes. And, perhaps the most foreboding feature of all, through a slit in the front of the robes, a single eye could be seen, obviously part of the creature's body, with the way it melded with the chest, the sclera was a poisonous yellow and the pupils three gelatinous dots bridged together.

Before the Storm King could dwell on the monster his commanding officer had become, three more pillars of flame drew his attention, the animated statues undergoing similar transformations. The two smaller ones became creatures that greatly resembled the first, though not as tall, and their muzzles were adorned with beards that seemed to be made of tendrils. However, the creature that emerged from the image of the tallest statue had the Storm King screaming in fear, if briefly.

It sported two long wiggling antennae next to a red fin on top of its head that stretched down the back of the neck; the head itself prominent and armored. Two honeycombed eyes jutted from sockets, shiny blue ovals that extended to pointed ends at least an inch outward from the head. Unlike the rest of them, this creature had a visible mouth, four mandibles jutting from the lips, two above and two below.

Four gossamer dragonfly wings sprouted from the back, huge and powerful, easily lifting the chitinous body into the air, buzzing frantically. The chest had six insectoid legs, two tiny, barely noticeable legs only a few inches long extruding from below the neck and two huge legs were present beneath these, over five feet in length and resembling the vicious hunting claws of a praying mantis. Below these two massive arched hind legs were attached, resembling a grasshopper's legs tipped with two clawed toes apiece.

The abdomen was lined with the same chitin armor that guarded the torso, ridges covering its impressive length, which ended in arched pincers.

For the first time in his tyrannical rule, the Storm King wasn't the picture of smugness and cruelty. He was scared stiff as he beheld a quartet of the most terrifying creatures he had ever seen. His guards weren't faring any better, clinging to their javelins as if they were the last lifeline in the world.

"Who... what are you?" he asked in a voice trembling with fear.

The tallest creature; the one who had been masquerading as Tempest, leapt in front of the other three, looking on with narrowed eyes. "We are the changelings," it said, its ethereal voice reverberating through the room, despite the lack of a noticeable mouth. "Underlings of the mighty Daedric Prince, Hermaeus Mora, and allies of Equestria."

The Storm King didn't know what a Daedric Prince was but for the moment he didn't care. "What happened to Tempest?"

"Ha!" barked the multiple limbed behemoth at the back of the four, its mandibles clicking with each word. "Your lapdog fell before the might of our lord! She didn't stand a chance!"

That's when something clicked within the Storm King's mind. Tempest had been an imposter all along, so it was more than likely that the explanation provided for the wreckage he'd seen along the way here was a ruse. Plus, he never believed even for a second that a pony could have such destructive power.

"This thing, this daedra? He destroyed Tempest's fleet?" he asked, his voice losing the fearful edge, now that the surprise that the emergence of these creatures had caused was dying down.

"Correct," said the tallest creature with a nod. "And unless you want to experience our potential too, you had better surrender."

"Why are we even giving this 'invader' the opportunity?" snarled the mantis-clawed creature behind the tallest one. "I say we rend him and his minions limb from limb here and now!"

Anyone with a hint of sense would consider the option just presented seriously. These creatures were obviously lethal and dangerous, anyone else would think twice before defying them. But the Storm King's rationality had been dulled by hubris and pride long ago. And, despite how foreboding the opposition was, his guard still outnumbered them; not to mention that the rest of his army hovered in the skies just above the capital.

"Are you waiting for an invitation, or something?" he growled, cuffing his nearest guard upside his armored head, though the guard hardly seemed to notice. "Destroy them!"

The yeti soldiers hesitated for a moment, seemingly unwilling to engage with these enemies, but, having lived their lives under the Storm King's thrall, they reluctantly complied; better to face these mysterious opponents than the wrath of their king. Two yeti soldiers each took up positioning flanking one of the insectoid beings, their javelins at the ready, hoping to use their numbers to their advantage. Thorax and his two cohorts took up ready stances, Thorax bearing his horn, his changeling guards doing the same, though also flared their tentacles located around their muzzles.

Pharynx, on the other hand (or claw) gained a delighted glint in his eyes. It had been so long since he engaged an enemy in combat.

Three yetis tried to attack from behind their opponents, when suddenly their horns flashed a sickly yellow. Before the yetis could initiate a backstab, they each found themselves face to face with a creature that was even more intimidating than the original target. They were massive, grotesque beings that hovered in the air, their bodies appearing jagged, yet gelatinous. They had four spindly arms, as well as a mass of tentacles below the waist. Their elongated heads had tentacles as well.

Each had two beady eyes, staring at the yeti they had appeared before, their expressions unreadable, but still somehow sinister.

Then, as the three yetis that had tried to take the summoners of these eldritch beings stood frozen in shock, they each raised a single hand and shot forth a small cloud of yellow-green energy, which impacted the yetis in the chest. They staggered back, grunting in pain, their bodies wracked with excruciating agony. However, before they could regain even a semblance of their bearings, the Seekers lunged forward and began striking out with their claws, the yetis' armor and thick muscles apparently offering little protection as each strike seemed to impact with the force of a charging bull.

As for Thorax and his two guards, after summoning the Seekers to waylay the yetis that had tried to overrun them with that cowardly maneuver, they focused their attention on the yetis before them, who pointed their javelins forward in a gesture that seemed to try to say "stay back" but carried no weight, now that they had lost the advantage of numbers. In perfect sync, they fired their own Knowledge Drain spells, the spheres of yellow energy impacting with the yetis and causing the same effect as those facing the Seekers.

As for Pharynx, he didn't need to summon any aid from Apocrypha. The yeti that had tried to take him from behind found his javelin bouncing harmlessly off his thick chitin. The move only garnered Pharynx's attention somewhat, looking over his shoulder with an unamused expression, before he seized the yeti around the waist with the pincers on his abdomen and nonchalantly threw him into the far wall. There was a loud crack and the yeti slumped to the floor, motionless.

Pharynx barely had time to contemplate on how meaningless it had been for that yeti to try and attack him from behind before the second yeti thrust his javelin into his chest. The result was pretty much the same, the javelin bouncing off with nary a noise. Without looking at the slumped figure of the yeti he had tossed across the room like a ragdoll, Pharynx swiped with a mantis claw, breaking the javelin and knocking the yeti to the floor. The yeti barely had time to try to scramble to his feet before Pharynx finally centered his attention on him, opened his mouth and then sprayed forth a small deluge of thick, dark green liquid that glinted like oil, which washed over the yeti and covered him from head to toe. The yeti screamed and gargled, thrashing around on the ground as Chaurus poison invaded his system.

Pharynx could only revel in how easily he took down two opponents. Never before had he been so strong and capable. He will always be somewhat loath to admit it, but the changelings were thriving under Hermaeus Mora's rule in a way that they never had under Chrysalis. Thorax was right, she was a weak excuse for a leader and she never had the right to rule. It was through Hermaeus Mora that they had realized their true potential.

___

The Storm King could only watch as eight of his finest warriors failed to so much as put up a meager challenge for this enemy. Two were already down for the count, overwhelmed single handedly by the massive insect that appeared to be the strongest of them. Not to say that the other three were having any more difficulty dealing with his guard. They had summoned their own minions, horrible monsters the likes of which made him want to run away and find a bed to hide under. These three new individuals, as well as their summoners, attacked the yetis with a combination of physical attacks and some kind of spells that, when struck, seemed to leech the life out of the target little by little.

It didn't take a genius to realize that this battle was hopelessly one sided, and it was only a matter of time before the yeti were defeated. Seconds, at the most. The Storm King knew he was in a tight spot, for once his minions were vanquished attention would turn to him. He had limited options. Getting into the fight himself wasn't feasible. He had no fighting prowess himself, he had lost the Staff of Sacanas, and he only had one obsidian orb. It was either retreat, or surrender.

And he would rather endure Grubber's squeal on yeti karaoke night then surrender.

Leaving his guards to their fate, the Storm King leapt out the nearest window, shattering it and plummeting a few stories towards the ground among a shower of glinting colored glass. He landed with the grace of a leaping monkey. He might not be a fighter but his kind did have some inherent abilities. This wasn't a total loss. He just needed to get to his fleet for reinforcements.

However, the Storm King soon discovered that accomplishing even that wasn't going to be as easy as initially believed.

It would appear another battle had started outside the castle, the Storm King watching as his soldiers were assaulted by more of those equines with the tendrils extending from their muzzles. And not just that, ponies had entered the fray as well, several of them wearing armor the likes of which he had never seen, suits that gleamed green, were studded with gold trim, or were obsidian colored, darker than even his obsidian orbs, highlighted with red. The cages and chains lay empty. Apparently, not only were the statues and Tempest actually creatures in disguise waiting to ambush him, but Tempest's soldiers were as well.

And the strategy apparently worked, for his own soldiers were rapidly losing ground.

And that wasn't the worst part. More of those hovering abominations with multiple arms participated in the battle as well, dozens of them, either striking out with claws or spells. And there were new monsters tearing up the Storm King's legions too. They were massive bipedal figures, taller than even himself, muscular, with features that resembled a fish, and every time they stomped the ground, they produced a stream of dark, gleaming liquid that sprung from the ground in writhing tendrils that ensnared the nearest yeti and rent them limb from limb.

"You weren't planning on leaving the party early, were you?" said a chipper voice behind him suddenly.

Wheeling around, the Storm King briefly witnessed a bright pink earth pony rummaging through her poofy mane, before she suddenly withdrew her hoof and he was suddenly staring down the barrel of a cannon. He barely had time to blink once before the cannon went off and he was sent hurtling through the air by the blast, flying several yards before landing in the Royal Garden, now bound head to toe in chains.

___

"Good work, Pinkie," cheered Rainbow Dash, thumping her party-planning friend on the back, the rest of her friends giving similar congratulations as well. Pinkie just grinned and flipped her Party Crasher Cannon around and nonchalantly blew on the muzzle, producing a cloud of smoke.
___

In the Canterlot Garden the Storm King was struggling in his bindings, when a shadow fell over him. Looking up, he saw the two Alicorn royal sisters looming over him, each wearing a foreboding glare.

"You're outmatched, Storm King," said Luna, her expression hardening. "Surrender now or suffer the consequences!"

Despite all he had seen, despite the otherworldly creatures that had destroyed his royal guard, and were currently aiding the ponies in decimating his ground forces, the Storm King's expression became arrogant and prideful once again.

"Oh no, what are the little pastel, peace loving pony princesses going to do? Put me in time out?" he taunted, remembering Tempest's accounts on the nature of Equestria's princesses. Then his expression grew darker. "Ha! You may have taken my vanguard by surprise with these abominations under your command; whatever they are, but once the rest of my forces make landfall, make no mistake, your prissy little capital will fall. And the same thing will happen for the rest of your kingdom!"

Celestia's expression grew even more stern at the "time out" comment. It would seem that the more barbaric individuals of this world really did see her and her nation as soft hearted and overly compassionate. She had always wanted her subjects to be kind, and she always tried to be the perfect example of such a worldview, but it seemed like she never fully comprehended how weak it made ponies appear to the black hearted. Maybe it was time to change the image of Equestria. Maybe, rather than portraying this friendly nation that anyone can just waltz in and conquer at their leisure, they need to carry themselves with the air of a people who are all too happy to be accepting of all walks of life until provoked. To show the world they mean no harm, but are not without the means to retaliate. Just like Equestria was known during the days of Princess Blood Diamond, when she and her sister were not just rulers, but guardians.

And she knew just how to start. The Storm King, she knew his ilk. They were tyrannical rulers who led with an iron fist, oppressing everyone around them. They thought such a mindset made them infallible, but it left their rule vulnerable to a classic strategic move – cut off the head and the body dies.

Celestia leaned over the Storm King, her expression dark and sinister. Then, without a word, she spread her wings, levitated the Storm King's chained up form in her golden magic and took off into the sky. The sudden motion made him drop his bravado and he demanded to know where she was taking him. Luna could only look on, deducing what her sister had in mind. She wasn't too sure how to feel about her sister's recent changes. On one hoof, she was happy she was finally snapping out of the role of the overly pacifist ruler and was readopting her role as the staunch protector of her nation; as she had been in the past, she just hoped Celestia didn't become something she's not. One misstep and Celestia could become one of the very tyrants that brought this side of her out.

Also, she still wasn't too sure of the limitations of the effects of the Elder Scroll. Twilight had informed them of the dangers they posed to all who handled them, and it was still unclear what effects they might have on an Alicorn.
___

"What do you think you are going to do? Put me down, this instant!" The Storm King's rants seemed to have no effect on the Solar Matriarch as she soared higher and higher, towards the Storm King's armada that hung in the sky before her capital.

She arrived in the epicenter of the fleet, the yeti crews looking on in shock at seeing their king taken captive. She then brought the Storm King up as if to present him as a trophy... then, before all of them, she dropped him. The Storm King's latest protest died in his throat as the magic field suspending him dissipated, leaving him at the mercy of gravity, or rather the complete lack thereof. He could only watch, his expression shifting from annoyed to unbridled horror, looking into the princess's face. There was no shred of hesitation, remorse or mercy in her expression. She knew what she was doing and wasn't going to even entertain the notion of hesitating.

This wasn't at all the gentle matriarch Tempest had told him of. This was a ruler who would go to any length to protect her position... the same as he would have.

The air was rent with the fearful cries of an individual plunging to his doom.

The battle below ceased as the Storm King's bound form plummeted past Canterlot, Twilight and her friends staring on, as they witnessed what the princess just did, the battle between the ponies, Lurkers, Seekers, changelings and the yeti ceasing as they all observed what happened.

"Whoa... that was... harsh?" mumbled Rainbow, barely able to flap enough to remain aloft.

They all exchanged uneasy looks. They knew that the Storm King threatened their lives and homes; not to mention interrupted Cadance and Shining Armor’s wedding, but seeing such a fate befall him, at the hooves of Princess Celestia even, left them with an conflicting feelings. Especially for Twilight. She had once accused the princess of cowardliness (during the changelings' original invasion), hoping to motivate her to stop running from conflict. Maybe she took her words too seriously?
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Celestia's expression didn't change as she watched the Storm King vanish towards the distant land below. Some time ago she would have tried to get him to see reason, to rule with kindness instead of oppression. How blind she had been. There was only one way to end the suffering such an individual inflicts on those around them, and she just carried it through.

And speaking of which...

"ATTENTION, MEMBERS OF THE STORM KING'S ARMY!" she called out, her Royal Canterlot Voice carrying her words to everyone in the vicinity, whether they be on the ground or in the airships. "YOUR LEADER IS DEAD! HIS RULE IS AT AN END! WE HAVE NO FURTHER REASON TO FIGHT! YOU WILL NOT BE PERSECUTED FOR THIS INVASION IF YOU SURRENDER NOW! LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS AND WE WILL BEGIN NEGOTIATION."

It was out of her hooves now. It was time to see what the yetis would do without the Storm King.

To her immense relief, none of them had any issues, dropping their weapons and raising their hands. As she suspected, without the harsh dictatorship of the Storm King his forces had no reason to fight.