A Place in Equestria V: The Storm Awakens

Chapters

Chapter 1: Twilight’s Idea For The Friendship Festival
Chapter 2: Preparing For The Friendship Festival
Chapter 3: The Storm Creatures Invasion
Chapter 4: The Storm King/Klugetown
Chapter 5: At Capper’s Place
Chapter 6: Escape from Klugetown
Chapter 7: Aboard Captain Celaeno’s Ship
Chapter 8: Journey to the top of Mount Aris/Seaquestria
Chapter 9: Twilight Captured/Rescue Plan
Chapter 11: Battle for Canterlot (Part 1)
Chapter 12: Battle for Canterlot (Part 2)
Chapter 13: Restoring Equestria & The Friendship Festival
Chapter 10: The Storm King’s Reign of Terror Begins

Chapter 1: Twilight’s Idea For The Friendship Festival

In the royal capital of Canterlot, everypony was preparing for a celebration and there were pegasus ponies flying everywhere.

“I can’t believe that everypony from Manehattan and Saddle Arabia is here!” said a earth pony mare. “I know! We almost couldn't book a stable!” Apple Cobbler replied.

“Princess Twilight must have her hooves full with this giant Festival!” Clear Skies said. “Are you kidding?! She's smart and organized and cool under pressure! There's nothing she can't handle!” replied a pegasus mare.

“Excuse me! Baby dragon with important princess documents coming through!” Spike said, until he continued to run to the castle. “Spike!” shouted a voice. Spike turned around and saw Thomas riding his new tricycle with a basket on the back. “Get on! We’ll get you there fast enough!” Spike nodded, and then climbed into the basket and then Thomas began pedaling to the entrance of the castle.

Meanwhile, in the Hall of Harmony, Twilight was meditating with her magic, until she started to freak out. “Ommmmm... Ohhhhhhh mmmmy goodness, I can't handle this! Ooh! Nothing is working! I just have to get it together! Just go in there! And ask! This is your Friendship Festival! Everypony's happiness rests in your hooves.” She then face-hoofed herself. “Ohhhh!”

Spike suddenly opened the door. “Okay, Twilight. Got all your charts and graphs,” Spike said, while he panted heavily. “Oh, thank goodness you're here, Spike! I'm just so nervous about this meeting!”

“What meeting?” Spike asked. Twilight sighed, “I'm about to ask the three most royal princesses of Equestria for a huge favor! What if they reject me?”

“It'll be fine. Just remember the most important thing. You’re a princess of Equestria,” Spike said. “Right!” Twilight said, and then exhaled as she saw Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance appear. “Good morning, Princesses. Thank you all for seeing me. I have an idea that I think will make our Friendship Festival the most wonderful celebration Equestria has ever seen!”

“Yes, Twilight! We are very excited!” Princess Celestia said. “Ponies have been arriving from all over all morning,” Princess Cadance said. “I'd like to think it's to see us, but Songbird Serenade might be the bigger attraction,” Princess Luna said.

“Yes, she is the... "mane" event!” Twilight giggled. “And to make it extra special, I could use your help. Spike?” They saw Spike wheeling in a whiteboard and then placed the graph on it. “Ta-da!” Spike said.

Twilight then began her presentation, “Songbird Serenade's performance is not scheduled to start until after you begin the sunset. And based on my precise calculation, to get the very best lighting for the stage, Princess Celestia, I was hoping you could make sure the sun stays about 28.1º to the south, and, Princess Luna, if you could raise the moon 62º to the north at the same time, it would reflect the sunlight on the other side and really frame the entire stage perfectly!”

“I’d love to, Twilight,” Princess Luna said. “But wait! There's more! Cadance, if you could use your crystal magic to create an aurora above the stage, the sun and the moon will shine through it and create a truly amazing light show!” Twilight said. “Presenting Songbird Serenade!” Spike said. “Yeah, yeah, yeah! Whoa-ho! Whoa!” He then crashed onto the floor. “So, what do you think?” Twilight asked.

“So you're saying you want us to move the sun and the moon for the party,” Princess Luna said. “Well, I'd do it myself, except I don't have your magic,” Twilight said, with a snort. “Twilight, each of us uses our powers to serve Equestria in our own way. You are the Princess of Friendship. You already have all the magic you need,” Princess Celestia said. “So... that'd be a no?” Twilight asked. “We didn’t say that,” Princess Cadance said. “It’s just hard for us to go over something you’ve come up with all by yourself. You’ve worked so hard.”

“I know. I just want to make all of your ponies here happy, so that’s why I thought you could help out,” Twilight said. “If you’ll give us time to think, we’ll maybe, but possibly consider accepting your plans for the festival, although we make no promises,” Princess Celestia said. Twilight suddenly gasped happily and then hugged the three princesses all together, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Chapter 2: Preparing For The Friendship Festival

Meanwhile, Thomas was riding his tricycle for a stroll around Canterlot enjoying the beautiful sunny day. Thomas then saw a snack stand, and then went over for two chocolate cupcakes with frosting and sprinkles that looked like a rainbow on each swirl. “Excuse me? Can I get two of those?” The sales pony nodded and gave them to Thomas after he paid for them.

When Thomas finished his cupcakes and went on another stroll, he pedaled over to the royal gardens for some privacy and some fresh air. Thomas then decided to pick some flowers to give to his adoptive mother, Fluttershy, the pegasus mare who gave him a home and made his life better with all the care and love he deserved.

“Momma’s gonna love these flowers, I hope,” Thomas said, as he finished picking out flowers for his mother and then got back on his tricycle and pedals back downtown to see his mother and aunts.

“Yes!” Rainbow Dash said, as she began zooming through the clouds, clearing them out as fast as possible. “Sky's cleared and ready for the festival!”

Pinkie Pie then blew up a few balloons, tied them up while they made squeaking noises, and set them up nicely for the festival, but one accidentally deflated out of control. “Whoa!”

Fluttershy orchestrated the birds as they whistled in harmony until the balloon came zooming by, scaring all the birds away. “Whoa! Heads up, Fluttershy! Out of control balloooooon!!” Pinkie Pie said chasing the balloon.

“I don't think it's the balloon that's out of control, Pinkie Pie!” Fluttershy said, nuzzling a bird on her hoof.

“Hey, y'all!” Applejack said. “Anypony up for some free samples of my family's apple cider?” Rainbow Dash saw the mug, and zoomed over amd took it for a sip, “Thank you!” She them zoomed and put it back on Applejack’s hoof empty. “Loved it!”

Rarity hummed while setting up the stage with blue diamonds on each pinkish red ribbon. “Wow, Rarity. It's a fine job you're doin' there. 'Course it might not get done 'til after the concert,” Applejack commented. “Applejack, darling, anypony can do "fine". Twilight asked me, so clearly, she's going for fabulous, and fabulous takes time,” Rarity said. “Fabulous takes forever! But "awesome"...” Rainbow Dash zoomed all over the stage setting up the ribbons, but not neatly as Rarity planned. “...can get done in four seconds flat! Faster if I do my sonic rainboom!”

“Aah! Nono, oh no! Don't you dare, Rainbow Dash! It looks wretched enough already,” Rarity said, until fixing the ribbons and diamonds on them. “Oh come on, it's fine!” Rainbow Dash argued. “If you were raised in a barn! Ahem, no offense, Applejack,” Rarity said.

“None taken. Especially since I wasn't raised in a barn. My family just happens to have a barn. Where I was born. And... spent most of my formative years...” Rainbow Dash then cut Applejack off very quickly. “Raised in a barn!”

“Is she always that thirsty for apple cider?” Sunset asked. “Most of the time. Care for some?” Applejack asked. “Don’t mind if I do,” Sunset said, and then Starlight took some as well. “Wow, this is really good,” Starlight said. “Yeah, I mean it’s like a whole new level of amazing!” Sunset said. Applejack then nodded, “It’s my family’s traditional secret for freshly squeezed apple cider.”

“Okay, just two hundred and eighteen things left to do and we're ready,” Twilight said, checking off her checklist. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Starlight, Sunset, and Pinkie Pie saw her and Spike coming, “Hey, Twilight!”

“Hello, Spike,” Rarity said sweetly. “Uh, hi, Rarity. Heh heh,” Spike said nervously with a blush on his cheeks.

“How'd it go with the other Princesses? They like your idea?” Applejack asked. Pinkie Pie bounced while following a flying balloon, “I bet they loved it!”

Twilight sighed, “Not exactly. They think I can make the festival perfect without their magic.”

“Uh, they said that they’ll think about it,” Spike said. “And they are absolutely right, darling,” Rarity said. “This festival is your brilliant idea and we know you're up to the task!”

“But what if I'm not?! What if Songbird Serenade hates the stage?! Or nopony makes a new friend?! And if I fail at the festival, then who am I?!” Twilight asked frustratingly. “Twilight, look at me! This will be the biggest celebration Equestria has ever seen! As the Princess of Friendship, you cannot fail! This day will define who you are! The pressure is intense! It's almost too much for any single pony to handle!” Pinkie Pie screamed. The other ponies gasped. “But you have us! So stop worrying.”

Twilight made a nervous smile on her face, until Applejack helped her up. “You’ll always have us to help, Twilight,” Sunset said, as Starlight nodded.

It's time to show 'em what you've got

It's time to go and get things done

But you don't have to do it on your own

'Cause you've got friends right here to make it fun

We got this, you got this
We got this together

Sometimes the pressure gets you down
And the clouds are dark and grey
Just kick them off and let the sun shine through
And scary as it seems, more help is on the way
'Cause friends have friends that wanna help out, too

We got this, you got this
We got this together

It's the Festival of Friendship
And we can get it done
A festival that they won't forget

A party to be proud of
A day of games and fun
Just you wait and see
A magic day in perfect harmony

You got this

A bird whistled the melody and then Fluttershy smiled warmly.

We got this together

With friends and family, you are never alone
If you need help, we've got your back
You can be honest, let your problems be known
'Cause you got us to pick up the slack
We got this

We got this together

Pay attention to the details
Every gem even-spaced
Make the colors perfect

Takin' one or two to taste

Inside and out, beautiful throughout
Generosity is what we're all about

You got this

Wegotthistogether

Today needs to be perfect, it all comes down to me
I don't know if I'm ready
For all the things they need me to be
I am the Princess of Friendship
But that is more than just a crown
It's a promise to bring ponies together
And never let anypony down

We've got an awful lot to bake
Each pony needs a piece of cake
Oh, wait! There's something better we can do

We're gonna need some more supplies
To make a really big surprise
She'll be so shocked—she's sure to love it, too!

You got this!
We got this together!

It's the Festival of Friendship
Together we are one
A day we will never forget

And now everything is ready
So when the day is done

The weather

The banquet

The style

And music

All will be in perfect harmony!

Twilight gasped and yelled as Pinkie Pie accidentally launched a huge cake on top of her, until it tumbled into a huge spill. The ponies gasped at the accident as Twilight popped her head out. “Pinkie!” A candle landed on her horn.

“Oopsie! Guess my easy bake confetti cake cannon needs a little bit more fine tuning!” Pinkie Pie said. Twilight groaned and then blew out the candle on her horn.

Thomas suddenly saw his family on the other side, and probably didn’t feel like he wanted to disturb the moment right now, so he backed up and listened closely. He suddenly saw Songbird Serenade appear. She was a pegasus mare with light greenish white fur, a huge pom pom stylish bob cut mane and tail that were split with two sided shades of very dark persian blue with dark grayish persian blue highlights on the right and pale gold and with light gamboge highlights on the left and had a huge dark pink bow on the back of her head. She had dark sapphire blue eyes, a black shirt with gold studs on the collar, and her flank had a cutie mark of a cloud sprinkling hearts in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.

“Hi, I’m here for the ceremony. Is anypony here the one in charge of this?” Songbird asked. “Oh! Hi! Sorry about that,” Twilight said nervously, then she cleared her throat. “Hi, I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship. And you probably know why you’re here.”

“Yes. To perform for the Friendship Festival in three days?” Songbird asked for clearance. “Mmhmm. I just want you to have time to practice while we get everything set up for you,” Twilight said. “Okay. And it looks like you’re gonna need some clean up to do,” Songbird said.

Thomas suddenly saw some camera flashes as Songbird Serenade and her security guard ponies passed by, blinding his vision, until he suddenly tripped over a rock and then fell into a wagon full of eggs laid by a few chickens until it went backwards and then he suddenly saw himself heading towards a produce tent. “Whoa whoa! Whoa! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!” Twilight and the others heard the screaming and crashing, until all the ponies gasped at the moment and saw a few chickens running while clucking and flapping their wings.

They all ran over to the crash site and then saw a couple of ponies helping him out and then they saw him covered in fruit and vegetables and egg and surrounded by chickens pecking their beaks on the ground, nesting while sitting, or walking around the crash site.

“Thomas?!” Fluttershy exclaimed until she went over and gently held him towards her chest with both hooves after sitting on her haunches, as he made an “ow ow ow ow” over his cuts. “Baby, are you alright?” Fluttershy asked, while holding him. Thomas nodded, “Yes, Momma.”

“Oh, darling. You look like a complete mess,” Rarity clicked her tongue. “But never fear, precious. We’ll take care of getting you cleaned up later.” Thomas nodded.

“Where have you been?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I was enjoying the nice sunny day out here. But I went to the royal gardens to give my Momma these,” Thomas said, and then he showed his mother the flowers he picked out. Fluttershy smiled warmly, “They’re lovely, sweetheart.” Thomas smiled warmly and then he nuzzled with his mother.

“Sorry, everypony. We’ll continue with the preparations tomorrow. Why don’t you all get some rest or go enjoy yourselves while we deal with our little nephew?” Twilight asked, and then the ponies of Canterlot went on the either go home and get some rest while some stayed to clean up the mess from earlier today.

Meanwhile, after Thomas had a bath provided by Rarity and Fluttershy, he got himself dried off and into his pajamas, which were a forest green long sleeve top and forest green and dark sapphire blue plaid footed pants. When he came out of the bathroom, he went over to Fluttershy for a cuddle as she picked him up and held him against her chest and wrapped her hooves and wings around him to keep him warm and he then hugged her fur while he had his teddy with him. Rarity brought over a plate full of chocolate chip brownie cookies with a glass of cold milk, and then Thomas took it so he can dig in on one cookie at a time.

“Momma? I’m sorry I ruined today,” Thomas said. “No no no, sweetheart. No. You didn’t ruin anything. It was only an accident,” Fluttershy said. “Thomas? Are you feeling better now?” Twilight asked, and then Thomas nodded in reply. “Yes, Auntie Twilight. Umm... who was that pony from earlier?”

“Oh, that was Songbird Serenade, pop singer from Manehattan we hired for the festival,” Twilight said. “She’s an excellent singer, darling,” Rarity said. “Can I meet her?” Thomas asked. “Yeah, sure,” Sunset said. Thomas smiled warmly and then started to yawn after finishing his last cookie and drinking his milk. “I think my darling little nephew needs his beauty sleep,” Rarity said, until she kissed him on the cheek. “Mind if I tuck him in?”

Fluttershy nodded, and then they all said goodnight to each other and went to their rooms for the night. Rarity then placed Thomas onto his guest bed and then tucked him underneath the covers. “Goodnight, precious. We’ll see you in the morning,” she said, giving him a kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight, Auntie Rarity. I love you,” Thomas said. “Auntie Rarity loves you too, darling. Now get some sleep,” she said, after leaving the room with the candle lit on halfway so he wouldn’t be scared of the dark and then he started sleeping.

Chapter 3: The Storm Creatures Invasion

The next day, after breakfast and while Thomas finished up his nap, the Mane 8 went outside to check on the preparations for the Friendship Festival.

“Okay, so we’ve got the stage set up, all the fun and games, the contests, the buffet, which are from Sweet Apple Acres, Sugarcube Corner, and the chefs at Canterlot, and some cake,” Starlight said, checking the list for everything. “Looks like we’re good to go,” Sunset said. “Are you sure you got this, Twilight?”

“I’m not sure. But I really needed the princesses’s favor, but I don’t know if they’ll accept it or not,” Twilight said. “Twilight? We’ve been thinking,” Princess Cadance said. “Since you’ve been working so hard on setting up this festival for us, and that your plan was pretty interesting...”

“We’d be honored to help,” Princess Celestia said. “Agreed, sister,” Princess Luna said. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Twilight said excitedly.

They suddenly heard a sound of thunder coming from afar, until they looked up with murmurs and gasps of shock, fear, and worry. Twilight gasped, “Storm clouds? I ordered perfect weather! Rainbow Dash?!”

“Uh... I... don't think those are storm clouds,” Rainbow Dash said. Thomas then saw what was happening, until he got scared and quickly hid underneath his Auntie Sunset and hugged her leg after seeing her and his Auntie Starlight behind the Mane 6 and Spike. When a huge deep humming noise appeared, it almost sounded like a propeller. “Ooh! I bet those are the clowns I ordered!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, until they got a closer look and saw an airship with dark gray wood plank, and a pale orchid blimp with armor on the front and a blue glowing symbol on the front.

“Or definitely not the clowns I ordered,” Pinkie Pie said. Thomas got more scared, as Starlight and Sunset looked down at him, and then Sunset placed her hoof towards him to hug with, and then Starlight placed her hoof onto his shoulder for comfort.

Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance came over to see what was happening, until the airship landed in the balcony and made some pillars crumble, causing ponies to run and scream from them.

“Everypony get back!” Twilight said. The door opened and then lowered, until they saw a small pug-faced hedgehog with dark grayish cobalt blue fur, light grayish sapphire bluish gray quills on the back of his head, brilliant opal eyes, and he had an apron with the Storm symbol. He was breathing and grunting while carrying a blue metal box until he carefully placed it on the ground and it transformed into a megaphone speaker with a radio microphone.

Grubber cleared his throat, and then spoke. “Ponieth of Equethtria, we come on behalf of the fearsome, the powerful, the almighty...Thtorm King!”

The ponies started cowering and whispering. “This is terrible!” Thomas said. “Shhhhhh...” Starlight said. The Mane 6 looked at each other with confusion.

Grubber then continued, “And now, to deliver the evil, evil methage, put your hooveth together for the one... the only... Commander Tempeeeetht Thadooooooow!”

When they looked closely, they saw a supermodel sized unicorn mare with dark orchid fur, a dark rose mohawk combed mane and tail with lighter edges, and moderate opal eyes. She had a broken horn sparkling blue electricity and a scar on her right eye, and she was wearing a black short sleeve top with black armor all over and had two on her flank showing the Storm King symbol, and black armored shoes on all four hooves.

“Is that a... unicorn?” Twilight asked. “I think so, but what happened to her horn?” Spike asked. “I don’t know,” Thomas said, as he got scared of Tempest. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Cadance went up to deal with Tempest. “Tempest, is it? How may we help you?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Oh, I'm so glad you asked. How about we start with your complete and total surrender?” Tempest asked evilly.

Twilight walked over to Tempest. “Hi there. Princess of Friendship. Not exactly sure what's going on, but I know we can talk things out,” Twilight said. “Perfect. All four Princesses,” Tempest said. “Here's the deal, ladies. I need your magic. Give it up nicely, please, or we make it difficult for everypony! It’s your choice, so take your pick.”

“And why should we cower before you? There's one of you and hundreds of us,” Princess Luna said. “Yeah! You take them on, or one of us, you take on all of us!” Rainbow Dash said. “Agreed, darling,” Rarity said. “So unless you have a problem, you better get before thing get out of hoof,” Applejack said.

Tempest Shadow then chuckled evilly, “I was hoping you'd choose "difficult".” Suddenly, a couple of Storm Creatures appeared, and they had dark grayish cobalt blue fur with light grayish sapphire blue mane, and they wore dark gray masks with brilliant opal eye visors and carried spears and shields.

More airships came, and more Storm Creatures jumped out of them. Twilight gasped, and then Princess Cadance gasped. “Get them all!” Tempest said. The Storm Creatures made roaring noises and the ponies started to panic and run for their lives.

The princesses ordered the guards to assist, but some of them were taken down by the Storm Creatures and then captured while others fought back. “How predictable of you, Princess. Still wanting to fight back,” Tempest said, until she zapped blue electricity with her horn at the three princesses, but Cadance used her crystal magic against the attack.

The Mane 8 fought back by using their special talents and friendship magic. Fluttershy saw that her son wasn’t with him, “THOMAS?! THOMAS, WHERE ARE YOU?!”

Thomas hid underneath a table to be safe, and out of danger. When a Storm Creature was slammed onto the table as it broke down, Thomas moved out, but he suddenly saw Tempest Shadow appearing with a evil confused look on her face. “What do we have here? A little human here in Equestria, I see,” she said. Thomas then grabbed a knife and pointed it at them, until he saw two Storm Creatures behind of him and and in front of him while standing behind their commander. Thomas then start whimpering as the Storm Creatures growled at him.

Tempest suddenly had no interest in killing him, “Bring him with the others.” Thomas then started to cry, “MOMMA!!!” As the Storm Creatures were about to grab the little boy, a blast of a recognizable dark pink magic laser blasted them away, and he saw that it was Twilight that saved him, until he saw his mother with him, “GET AWAY FROM MY BABY!!” Rainbow Dash zoomed in and grabbed Thomas in a cradle against her chest, “I gotcha, sport!” After she flew down, Thomas ran over to Fluttershy for a hug, and the she held him on one hold in shoulder and chest hug position.

“Twilight! They’re going to kill you! Get out of here!” Cadance said. Princess Celestia looked at Twilight and her friends, “Twilight, quick! Go somewhere south beyond the Badlands! Seek help from the Queen of the Hippogriffs! Whatever you do or wherever you go, don’t stop hiding or Equestria is lost forever! Now, go!”

“Over here, y’all! This way!” Applejack said. “Come on, sweetheart!” Fluttershy said, as she quickly leaned down to let Thomas climb onto her back. Princess Luna looked back at the Mane 8 as they began running before they looked back while running, “Good luck, little ponies! We’ll buy you some time!”

“Grubber, get her now!” Tempest said. “Guyth, we gotta get the Princess!” Grubber said. Tempest suddenly made a mischievous grin, “Easy as pie.”

While the Mane 8 kept running over to the bridge as it crumbled, they stopped Thomas started to panic. “No! I don’t wanna leave them!” Thomas said, struggling for the princesses. “Sweetheart, we have to go!” Twilight said, calming him down with her hooves. “There’s no time!” She suddenly saw Tempest Shadow jumping in the air and kicking a canister with a black glass orb glowing with a dark brownish green crystal inside and black tendrils with her hind hoof, turning out to be a grenade. “Cadance! Celestia! Luna, look above you!” The three princesses saw the coming towards them as Cadance placed a force field around them with her magic. “RUN!!”

The ponies started running as the orb inside the grenade cracked open and made a small bombardment on the ground, causing the ground to be covered in obsidian, and then petrified some of the ponies into obsidian, including the Princesses. Thomas saw them petrified, “NOOOO!!!”

When they saw the Storm Creatures coming for them, the Mane 8 jumped over the destroyed bridge and into the water. They gasped for air after popping out from underwater until Fluttershy saw Thomas drowning and yelling for help. She swam over to her son, and then helped him onto her neck to grab onto so he can breathe.

“Grab onto the log, and don’t let go!” Twilight said, and then they all grabbed onto the log one at a time and then catched their breaths. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting all “funned” out,” Pinkie Pie said. “Yeah, me too,” Rainbow Dash said.

Applejack suddenly saw something up ahead, “Uh oh.”

“Oh, dear,” Rarity said. Rainbow Dash then sighed, “Don’t tell me. We’re about to go over a huge waterfall.”

“Eeyup.”

“Sharp rocks at the bottom, and no safer landing for us?”

“Most likely, but yeah.”

“Well... bring it on.”

They all fell into the waterfall while holding onto the log. “Wheeeeee!!!” Pinkie Pie screamed as they landed into the mist.

“Uhh... Thith ith not gonna be good. The both ithn’t gonna be happy about thith,” Grubber said. “Then it’s best we report to him immediately, with a couple of trophies for him,” Tempest said, looking at the obsidian petrified princesses. “Bring them to the throne room. And put the prisoners in their cages, but put the petrified next to the cages.” The Storm Creatures and Grubber brought the princesses’s statues with them, while some of them put the captured ponies in chains and shackles and then locked them up into separate cages with the petrified ponies next to them.

Meanwhile, after the waterfall ride, the Mane 8 popped out from the water and swam over shore and away from the castle to catch their breaths, and then Rarity placed a towel sided blanket onto Thomas to keep him warm, and then Fluttershy held him with both hooves wrapped around him while he sat on her lap.

“Everypony okay?” Applejack asked. “I think my bottom's on backward,” Rarity said. “We just got our cupcakes handed to us by the worst party crasher ever!” Pinkie Pie said. “We gotta go back there and fight!” Rainbow Dash said, as Applejack tugged on her tail with her teeth.

“Well, you saw the size of those goons. You seriously wanna go back?” Spike said. “So now what? We can't hide here forever,” Applejack said. “And let's be honest, we can't go back. Look at what they did to the Princesses. We gotta keep them from Twilight.”

They suddenly heard Thomas crying while he was looking down in shame while Fluttershy hugged him, until he broke down and then hugged her neck and buried himself into her chest fur tightly. “Hey, hey, hey, easy, easy,” Fluttershy said, as he was shaking with fear and broke down with tears of sadness in a broken heart. “T-T-T... Th-Th-... The-They... They’re all... gone,” Thomas whimpered. “Shhhhhh shhhhhh... I’m here, baby. I’m here,” Fluttershy said softly.

Twilight then remembered something, “The Queen...”

“Yeah, the Queen! Uh, what queen?” Pinkie Pie asked. Twilight then tried to remember what Princess Celestia told her, “Princess Celestia told me to find the Queen of the... "Hippo...? Hippo...gruffs? No, Hippo... Hippo... Hippo...gramps? Hippogriffs... " WAIT! THE HIPPOGRIFFS!!”

“Hippogriffs?” Thomas asked, as Fluttershy stood up holding her son as he was sitting on her hoof curled up in fetal position and hugging her fur and laid against her chest. “I’ve read about them! They're somewhere south, past the Badlands,” Twilight said.

“That means we'll have to... leave Equestria. Oh!” Fluttershy said. “I'm not even packed!” Rarity said, until she saw Starlight and Sunset come back with their saddlebags. “Oh, thank you, darlings,” Rarity said, as they put on their saddlebags for the journey.

“Momma? Are we gonna die?” Thomas asked. “No, no, sweetheart, no. We’re just fine,” Fluttershy said. “Oh, sweetie. I understand you're scared. We all are, and nopony else has to go. But I have to find this queen. She might be our only hope,” Twilight said.

“Well, you're not getting all the glory. We're in this together,” Rainbow Dash said.

“We got your back,” Applejack said.

“Indeedy!” Pinkie Pie said.

“I am ready to save Equestria!” Rarity said.

“Yay,” Fluttershy said, as Thomas climbed onto her back.

“We're all behind you, Twilight,” Spike said. “We’re coming with,” Starlight said. “Besides, you could use some extra help with unicorn magic,” Sunset said.

“Let's go find this hippo... whatchamacallits!” Pinkie Pie said. “Uh, it’s hippogriff,” Twilight said. “Meh, close enough,” Pinkie Pie said.

“Uh, south?” Thomas asked.

“Hehe! Whee!” Pinkie Pie giggled while bouncing, as they all started to journey ahead. “Whee! Boingy-boingy-boingy-boingy-boingy! Anypony up for a game of "I Spy"?” All but Pinkie Pie groaned. “No, really! Come on! I spy with my little eye something that is orange. No takers? It's you, Applejack!” Pinkie Pie giggled.

Chapter 4: The Storm King/Klugetown

The storm creatures were making heavy grunting noises while escorting the captured and shackled ponies to their cells, while Tempest Shadow was in the throne room but standing out on the balcony looking at the mess that they made during the set up for their Friendship Festival. “All this power wasted on parties...” She then walked into the throne room and looked at her reflection on the petrified Celestia. “...when there are far greater uses.”

Tempest then heard a ringtone coming from a glowing blue potion that two Storm Creature guards were carrying, “Well? Answer it!”

The guard with the bottle removed the cork and then poured it into the legged cauldron, and then a blue flame was ignited revealing a hologram of the Storm King.

“Where am I supposed to be looking? How is it that I never understand how this spell works?! Tempest! Where are you?!” he angrily asked. Tempest sighed with an unamused tone, “Over here, Your Excellency.”

The Storm King then tried to find her, until he finally looked at her, “Oh. There you are. Here's the deal. I'm in the middle of a big re-brand here. "The Storm King" is tracking well as "intensely intimidating", but you know what? I need to back it up. You know what I need to back it up with? A storm! You promised me magic that could control the elements, and right now, I’ve got myself holding this ridiculous twig! I mean, look at this!”

“Uh, that would be the Staff of Sacanas, Your Excellency, and it will...” Tempest said. “Mm-hmm? And?” The Storm King asked, until Tempest continued. “...channel the magic of the four rulers of this land.”

“Mm-hmmmm?” The Storm King asked. “You'll soon have the power of a hundred armies, and then conquer the world,” Tempest explained clearly. “Finally, an honest answer!” The Storm King said. “So that would be a yes on your locking down the four Pegacornicuseses, or whatever you call them?”

“Yes, but give me three days. I'll have everything ready for your arrival sooner than enough, but I have other news,” Tempest said. The Storm King ominously looked at her, “Remember, Tempest. Only I have the power to make you whole. Make this twig work, and you'll get your reward. Fail me, and your horn won't be the only thing that's broken. Got that?”

“Say no more, my lord. It won't be a problem,” Tempest said. The Storm King then acknowledged, “Great! Now, what’s the problem?”

“We now have three, but one got away, along with 7 others, along with a baby dragon... and a human,” Tempest said. “HUMAN?! WHAT?! Are you seriously kidding me right now?! Ho could you lose them when you almost had them?! And how much is that so-called human reliable to her?!” The Storm King asked disappointingly. “He’s their nephew, but he’s the son of the yellow pegasus with the pink mane. But I will find them and bring the fourth princess before you.”

“Excellent! I'm soon ready to power up, crash and bash, and be the biggest, baddest emperor! Well, catch you later, and be sure to send me some reports if you have her soon! Ta-ta!” The Storm King then hung up.

“Thorry, bad thpell thervice. You want me to call him back?” Grubber asked, until Tempest sighed with a groan. “But I brought ya thpongecake in cathe you were hungry.” Grubber screamed after Tempest zapped him with her horn.

“No, I don’t want sponge cake!” Tempest said. “I still need all four for the staff to work. I almost looked like a fool towards his majesty.”

“Hey, I know! I want the Thtorm King to fix that crazy horn as badly as you do. It lookth like a crackly chipped tooth on the top of your head. And you know you don't look good in hatth.” Grubber said. Tempest angrily lit up her horn with her electric sparkling aura, frightening Grubber, “That Princess is not gonna keep me from getting my horn back! Prepare my ship!” Grubber panicked and went to get the ship ready. Tempest then took a deep breath, “Please. How far could one little pony and her friends get on their own?”

Later on, as the sun was beginning to set, the Mane 8 continued their journey around a sand hill desert in the Badlands, until they were heavily exhausted and panting for air from the scorching sun.

Pinkie Pie panted heavily for air, “There's sand in my... everything... Heh... Saving... Equestria...” She then made a demented laugh,until she found a skull. “Oh! Look! Maybe this guy knows which way to go! What's that, friend? We're lost?” Pinkie Pie then made another demented laugh, until she then coughed, and made one more demented laugh and stood up in hyperbolically until she finally fainted like a deflated balloon.

Starlight and Sunset walked between Fluttershy while Thomas rode on Applejack’s back since she was a strong mare. “You... doin’ alright back there... sugarcube?” Applejack asked. “I’m tired... and I’m hungry... and thirsty...” Thomas said while perishing underneath the sun, until he yawned. “Why don’t ya rest your eyes for a little while? We’ll wake ya when we find somewhere to go to,” Applejack said, and then Thomas fell asleep on her back as her soft fur kept him cozy.

“Thank you... for being... careful with him,” Fluttershy said. “Anytime, Fluttershy... Anytime,” Applejack said.

Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Spike were panting exhaustedly from the heat of the sun. As Rainbow Dash and Rarity passed by Spike, he kneeled down while sweating, “We could be going in... circles! Endless... sand...” He inhaled, “Nothin' for miles... but sand...” Spike breathed again, “and this rock...” He coughed, “and this cactus...” He breathed deeply, “and this roooooooooaaaaaad....” Spike breathed until he coughed, and then fainted like a sponge and then breathed again, “...this rooooooad....”

Twilight then heard about what he said, “Hmm? A road? Where there's a road, there's a...” She then gasped. “Girls, come look over here!” They all went over to see what appeared to be a huge towering city that looked like a huge marketplace.

“Cool!” Rainbow Dash said. “Well, I’ll be,” Applejack asked. Thomas then woke up and saw the town, “What is it?”

“Oooh! A city!” Pinkie Pie scoffed, “We are doing it, you guys!”

“You know what they say: where there's a city, there's a spa!” Rarity said, and then they all went over to Klugetown for a closer look. “Who says that?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Mostly everypony,” Sunset said. “But not always,” Starlight said.

“'Case you forgot, we're on a mission to save Equestria,” Applejack said. “Oh, pfft! I can multitask, Applejack darling,” Rarity said, as they continued their way inside.

When they entered the town, Thomas hid underneath her mane like he did before and then held onto her neck, and then Fluttershy covered his feet with her wings so that he wouldn’t be seen. “Don't worry, little one, we'll let ya go!” said a pig creature with a bird in a cage. “Yeah! To the highest bidder!” said another pig creature, until they both laughed.

The Mane 8 heard vendors calling out items for sale, while some had household appliances including lamps and lamp oil, dishes, and silverware, and food including bread, fruit, vegetables, and meats consisting fish or chicken. Twilight suddenly saw one vendor looking at her with a mischievous smile, “Ooh. Hey! You with the horn, you selling?” Twilight and the others then sped up.

Fluttershy looked at the birds in cages, “Oh...” The birds then started squawking loudly, causing Fluttershy to panic. “Ooh!” She then caught up with the others.

“Hi there! Ooh, I'm sorry. Here. Lemme help you with that,” Twilight said, lifting up the barrels with her magic. “Hey! No magic around my merchandise!” said the turtle vendor, until the Mane 8 ran off.

“Okay. We just gotta stick together. Be careful who you talk to. And try to blend in, but don’t get them caught up or else we’ll be in big trouble,” Twilight said, and then they all nodded in agreement. “Relax, Twilight! We totally got this!” Rainbow Dash said. “She’s serious about this, Rainbow Dash. And there’s the reason why,” Sunset said, pointing at Thomas hiding underneath her mane. “Oh,” they all said in unison, and then crossed their hearts.

Thomas then peeked out from underneath his mother’s mane carefully to take a look at the markets until he felt his stomach grumbling. “Momma?” Thomas said. Fluttershy then realized what his problem was, so she and Applejack knew what to do. “Uh, Twilight? Shouldn’t we try to find a place to eat and sleep? It’s nearly sundown,” Applejack said. “Plus, the little feller’s hungry.”

Thomas’s stomach then grumbled again, causing him to moan with a soft whimpering noise. “I know you’re hungry, sweetheart. But don’t worry, we’ll find you something to eat soon, if we find somewhere suitable,” Starlight said.

“How much for the giant gecko?” Louise said. “Who you callin' a gecko?” Spike asked. “Uh, Spike isn't for sale,” Twilight asked. “I want that fancy purple hair! I'll give ya two bucks for it!” Vera said. “Two bucks?! It's worth more than that!” Rarity said.
Thomas was somehow confused, but scared while other various creatures kept bidding.

“Gimme that pink one!”

“I'll take the blue one!”

“No! I want the blue one!”

“I need that lizard!”

“I'll take that picture of your sister!”

“I want all eleven for my collection!”

“Eleven? Why would there be eleven if there’s only ten?” asked a creature. “Because... the yellow one had this hiding in her hair!” replied the other creature as he grabbed Thomas by the back of his shirt. “Thomas! Put him down, you monster!” Fluttershy said. The creature then grabbed a knife, “He’d make a nice rug for my living room!” Thomas whimpered as the mares gasped at what they heard. Suddenly, they heard a male voice clear his throat, and then Thomas felt someone hold him in his hands and then hugged by Fluttershy as he was near her chest.

They saw an male anthropomorphic cat with moderate gamboge fur with a darker shade on his face, ears, paws, and tail and a lighter shade on his chest fur, dark grayish indigo hair on the top of his head, light malachite green eyes, and he wore a grayish crimson red trench coat and a dark grayish blue bandage on his tail.

“Back up, everyone! Back it up! Y'all need to chill out! Besides... what’s the matter with you all? You all in last town or something? This ain’t how we treat newcomers from out of town,” he said. “Stay out of this, cat! They’re ours!” said a pig creature. “Now, you listen here, fella, there ain't—“ The cat cut Applejack off. “Don't worry, don't worry, as long as you're not here to harm anycreature, you'll be fine. Now, that’s out of the picture, why don’t you all get along with yourselves and your businesses, and let me take it from here? Okay? Thank you.” The vendors and towns creatures went back to their business, until the cat looked at them. “Well, all right, now that’s taken care of...”

“You are awesome!” Rainbow Dash said. “Mm-hm,” said the cat. “And quite charming,” Rarity giggled. “Umm... wh-who are you?” Starlight asked.

“Capper's the name. Charming's my game. So... what’s a group of ponies like you lot doing out here in Klugetown, eh?” Capper asked. “We’re looking for someplace to sleep tonight, and maybe something to eat as well,” Applejack said. “Because my baby’s already hungry,” Fluttershy said. “Hmm... I think I know where you’ll be safe, because the Storm King hired some of his goons to make shelter at this place so, try to lay low. Now, follow me,” Capper then took them to somewhere safe.

Chapter 5: At Capper’s Place

Later on, the Mane 8 and Capper were finally at his house, and he then let them inside. “Welcome, my little ponies and gents, to my little manor,” Capper said. As they entered, the Mane 8 were gazed in awe. “Ooh! A sort of a roco-hobo-Bohemian hodgepodge,” Rarity said.

“Apologies for the state of my litter box. I wasn't expecting guests,” Capper said. “Ooh! So many fun breakables!” Pinkie Pie said, as the rest of them had a view of his living room. “Y'all sure y'all want to stay over? It’s kinda dangerous by yourselves,” Capper said.

“Well, if we can find my son something to eat, then yes,” Fluttershy said. Thomas then whimpered as his stomach kept making noises. “Well, I think it’s okay if you used the stove, because I learned about the human food chain, including the meats,” Capper said. Twilight suddenly found a brown book with a map and compass symbol on its cover, entitled the Almanac of Beyond Equestria, and then took it off the bookshelf. “Mind if I look at this?” Twilight asked. “No problem,” Capper said, as he went to sit down, but he saw Rarity’s aura grab the sleeves of his jacket and he saw the mare add some fixing stitches to his jacket with some thread and a needle, and fix the buttons on his jacket. “Here you go. I do apologize. If we were back home, I could've done something truly fabulous, darling.”

“Uhh, I don’t follow,” Capper said. “Don’t be silly, Capper darling. After all that you've done for us, consider it a "thank you",” Rarity said, as Thomas saw Fluttershy cradling her hungry child. “I’m really hungry, Momma,” Thomas said. “I know, baby. I know,” Fluttershy said, rocking back and forth. Rarity then thought of an idea, and went to Capper’s kitchen to do some cooking.

When she was done, Rarity looked at Thomas, and motioned a seat for him. Thomas then saw a plate that had two deep fried and breaded codfish fillets, and a side of mashed potatoes, corn and green beans. She also made sure he had water to drink. “There you are, precious. Something perfectly scrumptious just for you.” Thomas the sat down and ate his supper. “Thank you, Auntie Rarity,” Thomas said with his mouth full. “You’re perfectly welcome, darling. Now eat up, and your mother will get your bath ready,” Rarity said, until she kissed him on the cheek, and then went to join the others.

“Wow, you’re really a good cook,” Rainbow Dash said. “Don’t be ridiculous. I just make sure that any recipe I make is perfectly cooked and not over burnt as well,” Rarity said elegantly. “And I was serious about the bath part, Fluttershy dear. He was sweating in the desert all afternoon.”

Fluttershy nodded, and then she saw her son was finished with his food, and put his plate in the sink. “I’m ready for my bath now, Momma,” Thomas said, as he saw her motion her hoof for him to come to her, and then she lifted him up and then took him for his bath.

After a couple of minutes, Twilight finally found out something in the book she was reading, “Guys! I just figured it out! The Queen of the Hippogriffs is real! Part pony, part eagle!“

“Oh my! That’s fabulous news, darling!” Rarity said. “So, how do we get there?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Now, the trouble with that is... no one knows... where they are...” Capper said. “Well, it says here they're on the top of Mount Aris,” Starlight said. “Mount Aris? Where is that?” Sunset asked. “You mean the mountain right outside the window?!” Pinkie Pie asked, pointing at what looked like Mount Aris from the window.

“Wow, Pinkie! You’re a genius!” Twilight said. “Momma?” Thomas’s voice said, as he came out with his Spider-Man pajamas and slippers, and then he had his Snuggle Bear teddy with him. “Are you done with your bath?” Fluttershy asked. Thomas nodded, “Yes, Momma.” Fluttershy nodded, and then she lifted him up and placed him on her lap and then wrapped her hooves and wings around him after he wrapped himself in his favorite cuddle blanket until he gently stroked her mane, which made Fluttershy smile warmly.

“So, this little guy is your son, huh?” Capper asked. “Yes. He is my precious little one,” Fluttershy asked, nuzzling her face on his cheek as he leaned softly on her chest and was nestled underneath her hooves and wings to stay warm. “And he is such a cutie when you meet him,” Pinkie Pie said. “And a little ray of sunshine towards others because he really has a big heart,” Sunset said. “And he’s a good kid, and really strong,” Rainbow Dash said. Thomas then blushed at his aunts’s comments. “I also like to give him cuddles before bed,” Fluttershy said, while cuddling with her child until she gave him a kiss on the top of his head as she saw him curled up towards her chest and placing his hands on her fur. “Do you want to know how he came into our lives?” Twilight asked. “Shoot,” Capper said, and then Twilight started the story.

“Well, it started when Thomas was in an orphanage in his world where he originally came from, but he wasn’t happy there because no one was there to be friends with him, except they would pick on him, and he never got picked for adoption. Thomas had a broken heart when he experienced that. But one night, he made a wish for a new home and somepony to care for him, until Princess Luna heard his wish, and brought him here to Equestria.

Thomas then met Fluttershy and she introduced him to us, and then we took him to Canterlot so Princesses Celestia and Luna can meet him, but they accepted him for who he is. And after we welcomed him to Equestria, Fluttershy took him as her son, and gave him the love and care he needed, so we decided to help out as his aunts.”

Capper then felt sorry for Thomas, “Gee, I guess it must’ve been hard for the poor kid.” Fluttershy nodded in agreement, while she softly rubbed and patted Thomas on the shoulder. They suddenly saw him sleeping as the sound of her heartbeat kept him calm and the softness of her fur and feathered wings kept him warm.

“Twilight? I think it’s time we got some sleep,” Applejack said. “I have to agree with the orange one here. It’s late anyhow,” Capper said. “Plus, I’ve got something ready while you were chatting.” Capper then showed them their resting space, which had a few spare hammocks, separate mattresses with different fabric blankets, and his couch. “Sorry about the mess, though. It’s not perfectly worth it, but I hope you all can handle it.”

“Thank you, Capper darling. That was very generous of you,” Rarity said. “No need to thank me. What’s mine is yours for tonight. If y’all excuse me, I’ll be sleeping on my chair,” Capper said, as he left them alone for the night.

Later on, as they were all sleeping in their resting place rented by Capper, Thomas was hiding underneath his blankets and whimpering.

When he entered his dream, he found himself back in Canterlot, and it was attacked by the Storm Creatures and Tempest Shadow. Thomas got scared as he tried to hide away from the attacking guards. When Thomas saw Tempest walking over, she showed his mother and aunts petrified in obsidian. “NO! MOMMA!” Tempest then blasted her sparkling electric aura from her cracked horn, and blasted him off the cliff and into the river. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

Thomas woke up with a scream, and then he woke up panting and whimpering while he hugged the blanket before he began to cry. “Thomas darling, are you alright?!” Rarity asked while trotting over to hug her nephew. “Auntie Rarity! Auntie Rarity, the storm monsters are gonna get me!” Thomas said, until Rarity wrapped her hoof around him and pulled him over towards her pearly white chest fur. “Oh, no no no no, precious. No, Tempest Shadow is not going to get you,” Rarity said as she rested her chin on top of his. “But... she... she killed Princess Celestia,” Thomas said. “I saw it happen to all of you, and Momma too!”

“Aww... There, there, precious. We’re alright. You were just having a bad dream, that’s all,” Rarity said sweetly, until Thomas whimpered into her neck. “Shhhhhh shhhhhh... There, there, darling. You’re alright now. I promise that when you wake up, we will be alright.” Thomas nodded, “Can I sleep with you tonight, Auntie Rarity?”

“Of course you may, precious,” Rarity replied, until she lifted him up with her horn and placed him on her back, and then walked over to her guest bed. When she laid down, Thomas got over to her, and then Rarity wrapped her hooves around him and then hugged him softly towards her barrel and belly and then they both went back to sleep. “Goodnight, precious,” Rarity said, giving him a kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight, Auntie Rarity,” Thomas said.

Chapter 6: Escape from Klugetown

The next day, Tempest and the Storm Creatures were in Klugetown looking for the Mane 8 by trashing the townsfolk’s property. They started to panic while the Storm Creatures kept trashing the place, and while Tempest Shadow and Grubber kept looking while having a walk around.

“Please! Please! I don't know anything!” said a toothy Klugetowner. “You really think the ponieth got thith far?” Grubber asked. Tempest then sniffed something, “Oh, they're here.” She then saw a strand of pink curly hair from Pinkie Pie’s mane. “Attention! A little purple pony passed this way. Tell me where she is...”

“...or thumpin real bad'th gonna happen,” Grubber said.

“You think we're gonna fall for this again? I don't know what kinda scam you're workin' with Capper and the rest of your friends, but--“ Mori said, until Tempest got confused. “Excuse me, but did you say "friends"?”

“Yeah? So why should I tell to something as puny as you?!” Mori asked jealously. “Well... then let’s make it official,” Tempest said, until a Storm Guard grabbed his arms, and then Tempest kicked Mori in the gut and then threw him like a hammer.

“Ohhhh, Fishman juth got dropped!” Grubber said. “Now...” Tempest said, placing her hoof underneath Mori’s face. “...tell me about this... "Capper"... and I’ll let you live.” She then charged up her horn.

“So, why do you need to get there?” Capper asked. “Because the Friendship Festival back at Canterlot was unexpectedly postponed due to an attack by somepony called the Storm King, but ran into a unicorn called Tempest Shadow, and then she turned the princesses into stone and all the ponies are being held prisoner, so now we’re trying to get help from the queen herself!” Pinkie Pie with a beaming smile on her face. “It’s true,” Applejack said.

“I think I can help you with that,” Capper said. “What did you have in mind?” Twilight asked. “Well, since you can't make it by y'allselves, you need an airship! And lucky for you, I can get you a ride,” Capper said. “Thanks, but I think we can...” Twilight said. “Are you sure about that?” Capper asked. “Yeah, why?” Twilight asked. “Because... the path there is surrounded by an entire ocean,” Capper replied. “Oh,” Twilight said. Fluttershy suddenly felt a tight hug on her leg, until she looked down and saw her son hiding underneath her shaking and whimpering, “What’s wrong, baby?”

“Sh-S-S-She... She’s here! I saw her, with the Storm Monsters!” Thomas said. “Who is it, precious?” Rarity asked. “It’s that scary Tempest pony!” Thomas said. “Tempest?! She’s here?!” Sunset asked. “She must’ve been trying to follow us to get me,” Twilight said, until she and her friends looked out the window and saw Tempest and the Storm Creatures trashing the place searching for them. “We’ve gotta get outta here... NOW!!” Twilight said.

“Here, sneak out this way,” Capper said, showing them a safe route through the window. “This window leads to an abandoned alley down below. You’ll be safe there, and your airship is up ahead.”

“Capper, will you be okay?” Twilight asked. “Don’t worry about me, now go on! Go! I’ll handle this,” Capper said. The Mane 8 then went upstairs quickly to hide, and then Capper saw Tempest Shadow, Grubber and the Storm Creatures enter the house. “Capper,” Tempest said. “Tempest Shadow, I presume?” Capper asked. “And what would you be running over here for?”

“I’m looking for a purple pony, who appears to be an alicorn and a princess. I realized she has some friends with her, 10 of them. So, if you want to live, you’re going to tell me where they are,” Tempest said. “And what makes you think they could’ve been here?” Capper asked. “I’m not bluffing!” Tempest said, sparkling her horn with the electric aura. “Heh heh... maybe we can talk or make something useful about this, like some kind of business, or...” Tempest cut Capper off. “You’ve got 10 seconds. Where is she?”

The Mane 8 saw what was happening, until Thomas softly whimpered as Fluttershy hugged him against her chest. “Shh shh shh shh shh...” Fluttershy said, as Thomas nodded in reply while snuggled against her fur.

“So... you’re saying you have or have not seen them?” Tempest asked. “Well, maybe I did, maybe not. But either way, it’s really up to you to find out,” Capper said. “Okay... then I guess we’ll have to do this, the hard way,” Tempest said, until she heard a noise from upstairs.

“Sorry,” Pinkie Pie said. They then carefully got out the window safely and then climbed down the stairs and ladders one at a time. Grubber suddenly saw them escaping, “THERE THEY ARE! UP HERE!”

“Go! Go!” Twilight said, as the stairs and ladders began falling and they all screamed while falling. Tempest saw them escaping as well, “DON’T LET THEM ESCAPE! GET HER NOW!”

The Mane 8 then continued running across the alleyways and through each town section of Klugetown while being chased by the Storm Creatures. Thomas saw their ride up ahead, “Is that the ship up ahead?!”

“Hurry! This way!” Twilight said, as they continued running. “We can make it!” Rainbow Dash said. “Let’s find out!” Applejack said. They then stopped and checked to see if the distance was safe enough. Thomas hid underneath Fluttershy’s mane from being scared. Twilight and the girls started getting ready to jump, “Okay, one three! One...! Two...!” Thomas held onto Fluttershy’s neck tightly without hurting her. “THREE!” Twilight and the others ran as fast as the could, and then jumped over the ridge, until they landed on the deck safely.

“We made it!” Thomas said. “Quick! Let’s hide in here!” Sunset said, and then they all hid in the storage room underneath, but farther back so that they wouldn’t be seen. “Okay, we should be safe for now,” Twilight said. Thomas suddenly felt loopy from fear, and then Fluttershy held him close to her to keep him calm. “Don’t worry, sweetie. It’s all over,” she said.

Tempest then saw the ship escaping, until she looked back at Capper. “You lied to me! You had them hiding in your house the whole time!”

“Yeah? And?” Capper asked. “Now... where are they going? And you’re going to tell me,” Tempest said, while charging up her horn. “Okay. No need for violence. Uh, they're headed...” Capper didn’t want to reveal their location, so he then thought of an idea. “They headed east! Yeah, to... to Black Skull Island. So, uh, glad I could be of service to you. I'll just be on my way, so... ta-ta.”

The Storm Creatures growled as they blocked Capper from escaping, and then cuffed him with chains and shackles.

“When I get my Princess. Until then, your fate is still needed. Put him in the brig,” Tempest said. Grubber laughed, “Oh, you're gonna go in the thkiff! Which ith a boat! Thpethifically, a air-boat!” Grubber kept laughing while they escorted Capper to the brig inside the ship.

Chapter 7: Aboard Captain Celaeno’s Ship

Meanwhile, on the ship, as the horn blew and the bell clanged, the Mane 8 were still far underneath the deck away from the light and researched the hippogriffs from the book and the map while Twilight, Starlight and Sunset took notes. “Whadaya think, Twilight? Should we just... ask 'em to take us?” Applejack asked. “I don’t know, Applejack. They don’t seem very frightened. Last time we trusted somepony, he gave us shelter,” Twilight said.

Thomas was still paralyzed from the attack in Klugetown as Fluttershy gently patted his back, but until the last set of gentle pats happened, he suddenly got the hiccups. “Oh no. My son’s got the hiccups,” Fluttershy said, until she laid him on her shoulder and then continue to pat his back to soothe the hiccups. “Shhhhhh...” They suddenly got deeper behind a few barrels so that they wouldn’t be seen, until Thomas’s hiccups were gone. “Yay! His hiccups are gone!” Pinkie Pie said. “Shhhhhh!” They all said. “Hehehehe! Sorry,” Pinkie Pie said.

They suddenly gasped after seeing the trapdoor open and saw anthropomorphic parrots dressed in black jumpsuits with the Storm King symbol on each shoulder padded sleeve.

“Hey, guys! Come check this out!” Boyle said.

“Looks like a pack of stowaways,” Mullet said.

“What are we s'posed to do with 'em?” Lix Spittle asked.

Squabble squawked.

“I think we tie 'em up!” Boyle said, as Applejack gasped.

Lix Spittle squawked, “We clip their wings!” Rainbow Dash gasped.

“Nah. We scar 'em...” Mullet said, as Rarity yelped.

“...emotionally!” Fluttershy hugged her son tightly towards her chest. “Starting with that ape!” Thomas whimpered and shook.

“Hey!” a female voice appeared. “Huh?” The Mane 8 asked. The crew turned around and saw a female anthropomorphic parrot with light gambogeish gray fur, pale light grayish harlequin harlequin feathers with lighter tips and grayish emerald and sap green tail feathers, moderate raspberry eyes, and she had pinkish scarlet beak and talon hands, and dark gamboge talon legs, but one was a pegged emerald leg. She was wearing the same black jumpsuit with the Storm King symbol shoulder pads.

She looked at the Mane 8 with a confused look, “What are you lot doing on my ship?”

“We were uhh... looking for someplace to seek shelter,” Twilight said, with a nervous chuckle. Captain Celaeno then looked at Thomas hiding underneath Fluttershy’s hooves and wings wrapped around him and grasping her mane gently towards his face. “Hey there, little guy.” She then came to her senses and then looked at her crew.

The union whistle blew, “All right! That's lunch!”

When they got to the dining hall downstairs, they saw Rarity cooking off. “Oh, you’re just in time for lunch!” Rarity said. “Please, help yourselves.”

The Mane 8 and the crew then sat down and waited for Rarity to be done. “Applejack, can you watch over Thomas while I get some plates and bowls?” Fluttershy asked, handing Thomas over to Applejack. “Sure thing,” Applejack said, as she placed her nephew on her lap and placed one hoof around him.

When she was done, Rarity brought the pot over while Fluttershy finished passing out the bowls, spoons and silverware. Rarity made chicken broth with both noodles and chopped and mixed vegetables inside. She also baked some bread to go with.

“Wow, you’re really a good cook,” Captain Celaeno said, while trying out the soup. “Thomas, are you hungry?” Fluttershy asked. Thomas nodded, and then Captain Celaeno got a stool for him to reach his bowl, and then he started eating his spoonfuls and munching his bread one at a time.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! So you were about to toss us overboard, but your captain saved us, respected our friend’s son, and you stopped for a lunch break?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“The Storm King only allows one break a day for meals, then it's back to hauling goods,” Boyle said. “So you're delivery guys?” Spike asked.

“And gals. These uniforms aren't exactly doing us any favors,” Captain Celaeno said. “Yeah, me neither,” Thomas said, until Fluttershy rubbed his back. “What is?” Captain Celaeno asked. “He’s been through a lot before I took him and gave him a new home,” Fluttershy said, and then she told the entire crew about how she met and adopted Thomas, and why nobody adopted him at the orphanage he used to live in.

“Gosh, I’m really sorry, buddy,” Captain Celaeno said. Thomas nodded, “At least I still have my Momma, right?”

“Yes, you do,” Fluttershy said, nuzzling her cheek with his. “But it’s best if you try to find a way to get to know him without scaring him... because he has a sensitive side like I do.”

“You mean he’s shy?” Captain Celaeno asked. “Mmhmm,” Thomas said with a nod.

“Then can you deliver us to Mount Aris?” Twilight asked. “Sorry. We do what the Storm King orders or we suffer his wrath,” Captain Celaeno said. “Eh, it's nothing personal,” Lix Spittle said.

“You weren't always delivery birds, were you?” Starlight asked. “What about before the Storm King?” Sunset asked. “Yeah. We used to be much more adventurous,” Captain Celaeno replied.

Rainbow Dash suddenly saw a Jolly Roger poster, “Whoa! You used to be pirates?!”

“PIRATES?!” Thomas exclaimed. “One of my classmates was a pirate for Nightmare Night one time!” Captain Celaeno was now impressed, and then ruffled his hair with her talon hand.

“Um, we prefer the term "swashbuckling treasure hunters",” Mullet said. “So... pirates,” Rainbow Dash said. Squabble squawked.

Rainbow Dash sighed, “Okay, look. You birds have a choice to make. You could let some cloven-hoofed Storm King tell you how to live your lives, or...” She then whooshed onto the table. “...you could be awesome again!”

Twilight and her friends made confident looks, until Twilight looked up at Rainbow Dash, “Take it away, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash nodded, “My pleasure.”

I know the world can get you down

Things don't work out quite the way that you thought
Feeling like all your best days are done
Your fears and doubts are all you've got

But there's a light shining deep inside
Beneath those fears and doubts, so just squash 'em
And let it shine for all the world to see
That it is time, yeah, time to be awesome

Ah, ah, ah-ah, awesome!
It's time to be so awesome!
Ah, ah, ah-ah, awesome!
It's time to be so awesome!

You've no idea how hard it's been

(It's time to be awesome!)

This dull routine we've been forced to do

Don't let them rob you of who you are
Be awesome, it's all up to you

I feel the light stirring deep inside
It's like a tale still yet to be told

Captain Celaeno changed from her Storm King jumpsuit into her original clothes, which consisted a brown leather buccaneer jacket, a brown breasted leather tunic with gold plating on the torso and waist, gold leg armory on her left leg, and a dark brown pirate hat with a reddish pink feather.

(It's time to be awesome!)

And now it's time to break the shackles free
And start living like the brave and the bold!

It's time to be awesome!
Let loose, be true, so awesome!
It's time to be awesome!
Go big, be you, so awesome!

We used to soar through the clouds in the skies

Elaborate schemes we would love to devise

We rescued our treasure and stored it away

Saving those gemstones for a rainy day

We see that light filling up our skies

So take the Storm King's orders and toss 'em

'Cause it's the time to let our colors fly

Hey, scallywags, it's time to be awesome!

Spike used the wood as a drum, and Thomas rang the bell twice, and Rainbow Dash and Captain Celaeno had a sword fight.

Hey!

Applejack and Mullet swung on a rope net, and Pinkie Pie used the barrels as a pair of bongos.

Hey!

Rarity and Fluttershy danced with two pirates.

Hey!

Twilight, Starlight and Sunset did the Egyptian maneuver with one foreleg crossed and then moved their necks side to side, and then jumped in the air.

Hey!

“Come on! Let's show these little ponies how it's done!” Captain Celaeno exclaimed, as the Mane 8 made oohing and ahing sounds after they all see the rainbow feather sails on the ship.

Rainbow Dash then was pleased with the crowd, “Awesome! I knew you had it in ya! And now for the finishing touch!” She zoomed into the sky with high speed.

“Rainboom! Rainboom! Rainboom! Rainboom!” Pinkie Pie chanted. “Here it comes, sweetie,” Twilight said to Thomas. Rainbow Dash then gained enough speed to make her sonic rainboom. “Aw, yeah!” Rainbow Dash laughed. “Wow!” Captain Celaeno said. Thomas then laughed at the pretty colors, until he was lifted up and gently placed against Captain Celaeno’s chest. “Thank you, Miss Celaeno! This was so much fun!” Thomas said, hugging her against the neck fur and laid against her chest. “Anytime, little mate,” Captain Celaeno said, ruffling his hair.

Meanwhile, back on the Storm Airship, Tempest Shadow was keeping watch with the pilots while Grubber was slurping a drink, until he saw something colorful in the sky, “Huh? Huh? Looka that rainbow! Looka that rainbow! Whoa, that'th so cool!”

Tempest then saw the rainboom, “Yeah. Of them to alert us. Funny, though.” She then turned to Capper, who was in the brig. “They don't seem to be heading to Black Skull Island.”

“Like "ha ha" funny or... ha ha...” Capper asked nervously. The airship started to backfire unexpectedly.

Rainbow Dash’s and Captain Celaeno’s swords clanged together to celebrate their awesomeness.

“Yeah! Ha ha!” Captain Celaeno said. “Nice!” Rainbow Dash said, as Captain Celaeno laughed in reply, before Squabble started squawking as an alert.

Thomas suddenly started ringing the bell for an alarm, “Here they come!” Captain Celaeno looked up ahead, “Storm guards! Looks like they found you!”

“Tempest!” Twilight said. Thomas then whimpered and ran back where they came in to hide. “Secure the rigging! Lock down the cargo! Everyone, prepare to be boarded!” Captain Celaeno said. “Oh my goodness!” Fluttershy said, until she realized Thomas wasn’t with her. The crew then placed them underneath to hide, and then Fluttershy suddenly felt her son whine and whimper as he was scared about Tempest coming back, so she held him with both hooves around him and hugged him to keep him calm, but quiet.

“Ya think she saw my sonic rainboom?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Are you kidding me?!” Twilight asked angrily. “Twilight, calm down. We’ll get out of this,” Sunset said. “I hope you’re right,” Twilight said.

There was suddenly a thud, as the pirates yelped, and then the Mane 8 screamed. Thomas screamed as well, until Fluttershy hugged him closer into her mane.

Grubber grunted as he landed, and then the storm creatures grunted as they landed, until Tempest was the last. “Where is the Pony Princess?” Tempest asked. “What? "Princess"? Prin-Cess, Prin-Cess... Nope. All we're hauling is Storm King merchandise,” Captain Celaeno lied, until Squabble squawked.

“You do realize that if you were to shelter fugitives, the Storm King would be quite... explosive,” Tempest said. Captain Celaeno gulped.

“We have to get off this ship before they tell Tempest we're here!” Twilight whispered loudly. We helped them get their mojo back! They're not gonna give us up!” Rainbow Dash whispered loudly. “Momma? I’m scared,” Thomas whispered with a whimper. “It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you,” Fluttershy whispered softly.

Twilight then thought of an idea, “I've got this!”

Tempest Shadow looked at Captain Celaeno and her crew while the Storm Creatures had them surrounded, “Now, I'm gonna count to three, and if you don't tell me where they are, your ship is going down. One...”

Twilight grabbed some rope and a tarp. “Hold this!” She gave the tarp to Rainbow Dash to hold. “What are you doing?!” Rainbow Dash asked. “Getting us outta here,” Twilight replied.

“...two...”

“Oh, thith is inteeenth!” Grubber said.

“Three!”

The Mane 8 then jumped out from a trapdoor underneath screaming. Tempest looked down, “What?” Captain Celaeno gasped.

“Oh, for Celestia's sake!!!” Rarity shouted. Pinkie Pie screamed, and then laughed, “Whee!” Fluttershy yelled, “I can't look!”

Rarity kept screaming, until she looked at her reflection from a falling mirror, until she continued screaming. She then felt Twilight’s aura catch her, then Fluttershy. “Whee!” Pinkie Pie said as Twilight’s aura caught her and Applejack. Rainbow Dash was caught by Twilight’s aura as well, “Huh?” Starlight and Sunset were brought over to the box as well.

Twilight quickly tied the ropes into each single knot through the tarp while flying.

“What in the hay is she up to?” Applejack asked. Twilight kept tying up the rope while the strings and brass were building up into a hot air balloon. Spike yelped, “Huh?” Spike then breathed fire as Thomas helped him out.

The Mane 8 cheered as Twilight’s idea for a hot air balloon worked. “Whee-hee-hee!” Pinkie Pie said. The Mane 8 sighed in relief. “Thank goodness,” Rarity said.

“Phee-yew! Quick thinkin', Twilight!” Applejack said.

“Yahoo! Ha ha!” Twilight said excitedly. “Great job, Twilight,” Sunset said. “That was pretty scary,” Starlight said. “That was fun! Can we do it again?” Pinkie Pie asked. “No!” Thomas said, as he felt his mother hug him. “Aww, did that scare you, sweetheart?” Twilight asked. Thomas nodded in reply. “Sorry, bug. I was only trying to save us all, okay?”

Rainbow Dash then flew out of the balloon and decided to be the propeller for the balloon, “Next stop, Mount Aris!” She then flapped her wings fast enough to get them to Mount Aris, but in steady as the wind.

“We're home free!” Twilight said, as the Mane 8 started cheering.

The storm creatures were grunting while looking for the Mane 8. Grubber suddenly came back with some news for Tempest, “There'th no ponieth. But I found thith. It'th a... kind of a cupcake... with thprinkleth... Oh, yeah, and I found thith, too.”

Tempest took the map from Grubber and look at it, revealing a diagram of Mount Aris, “Huh.” Grubber looked at Pinkie Pie’s drawing, “Wow, this is a real artitht!”

Tempest looked back at her prisoners, “Looks like they're heading to Mount Aris.”

“Really?” Capper said while stammering and laughing nervously, “Mou- Mount Aris? I... Well, that's my mis— I didn't know that... Mount Ari... My bad, I didn't... That's my... I'm sorry, I'm very very sorry.”

“Now, about your betrayal...” Tempest lit up her horn with a huge charge of her electric aura and blew Captain Celaeno’s ship out of the sky, causing fireworks, and then it made a huge splash into the water.

Chapter 8: Journey to the top of Mount Aris/Seaquestria

Meanwhile, after crashing into the bottom of Mount Aris earlier, and as the waves were crashing back and forth, the Mane 8 went up to the mountain to see the hippogriffs by taking the stairs.

“We had to crash the balloon at the bottom of the mountain! That's it! I simply... cannot... even! I have nothing! The bad guys have won! I'm so sorryyyyyyyy-y-y-y!” Rarity dramatically whined. “Pull yourself together, Rarity! We're almost there!” Rainbow Dash said. Rarity growled, “Will you stop saying that?!”

“No, really! We're actually here!” Rainbow Dash said, as they all saw the gates of Hippogriffia. Twilight gasped, “This is it!”

“Ooh!” Pinkie Pie said. “Well, I'll be,” Applejack laughed. “Hippogriffs, here we come!” Rarity sighed, “Time to rest my hooves!” They then went through the gates, until there were suddenly quiet strings and woodwinds from a distance, as they saw that the place was abandoned and looked gloomy, including the abandoned ruins. Thomas suddenly got nervously scared until he hid underneath his mother’s mane just to be safe.

“Are we sure this is the right place?” Rarity asked. “Hello?! Is anypony home?!” Applejack asked. “Pinkie Pie looked around, “No Hippogriffies here! Or here! Or here! Or here or here or here! Waaaaaiiit! Nope! This place is emp-ty!” Twilight was confused, “But... Celestia... The map. They have to be here. Let’s keep looking.”

“Something bad happened here. Something that turned this whole place into a ghost town,” Spike said. Fluttershy started to panic, “A g-g-g-g-ghost town?!” Thomas then whimpered and brushed Fluttershy’s mane all over himself, as he felt her hoof stroking his hand while seeing the scary dead trees.

“This place feels kinda freaky,” Starlight said. “Tell me about it,” Sunset said. Thomas suddenly heard distant humming, “I hear something!”

Twilight gasped, and saw the Hippogriffia cathedral sealed by big rocks, “It’s coming from over there!” The Mane 8 went to go see after going . The humming continued to grow louder as they carefully entered and crawled through the debris and followed the light from Twilight’s glowing horn as they walked through the rocks and while Thomas popped out of Fluttershy’s mane and then sat down on her back. After they got through the tunnel of rocks, they saw a huge red lily flower floating in the stream of inside the Hippogriffia cathedral.

As they carefully got closer, a rock accidentally crumbled from the stairs after Pinkie Pie took a step. The humming stopped, until she gasped, “What was that?!” The figure jumped into the water by diving like a dolphin. “Hey! Wait up!” Pinkie Pie said, while trotting and jumping down the stairs, “Cannonball!” She then landed into the water. “Pinkie!” Twilight said, as the Mane 8 followed her into the stream, while Thomas stayed on Fluttershy’s back. Pinkie Pie suddenly swam over, popped out of the water, and sputtered the water out of her mouth, “She's gone!”

The water started flushing. “Now what?” Twilight asked, until there were bubbles everywhere. “Huh?” Pinkie Pie looked, and then the Mane 8 started screaming as the whirlpool spun around and dragged them inside. “Oh, boy. I hate epic adventures,” Rarity said. They all kept screaming and tried to talk, until they were brought underwater in another tunnel.

Twilight then gasped for air, until she saw a bubble around her head. The Mane 7 then started gasping for air as bubbles were formed around their heads.

“Way to leave it to the last minute, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said. “I didn't make these bubbles!” Twilight said. “Then who did?” Fluttershy panted.

Thomas then saw something swimming towards them, “It’ll eat us! It’ll eat us! RUN!!” Fluttershy hugged her son closer to her chest and then shushed him softly as the light came closer towards them, but it revealed herself as a seapony with light gambogeish gray scales, light arctic blue mane and tail fins, and brilliant cyan eyes.

“Hello? We're looking for the Hippogriffs,” Twilight asked. “How do I know I can trust you?” Princess Skystar asked, until she saw Thomas hiding behind Fluttershy, but then got all excited. “OH MY GOSH!!! WHO’S THIS LITTLE GUY?! HE’S SO ADORABLE!!!” The seapony then spun around with Thomas in her hooves and then brought him towards her chest for a tightly gentle hug. “And I’m serious! You really are adorable I could just smother you in my arms! Oooooh!” Thomas whimpered for air as his bubble felt like it was about to pop, so Skystar handed him back over to Fluttershy. “I’m glad you enjoyed hugging my son,” she said. “He’s your son?! That’s twice as adorable!” Skystar said.

“If you don’t mind, we’re in desperate need of help. Somepony’s trying to steal my magic for some kind of weapon for the Storm King, who’s taken over our land and captured our princesses,” Twilight said. “Ah! I'm so glad I saved you guys! I'm totally taking you to my mom! I’m sure you’ll be safe there,” Princess Skystar said. Twilight gasped, “Does your mother know where they are?”

“Can you take us?” Sunset asked. “Oho! She might have an idea!” Princess Skystar replied in singsong, then giggled. “Hoo-hoo!” Twilight chuckled excitedly, and then they all followed Princess Skystar as she lead them ahead, after Fluttershy put Thomas on her back so he wouldn’t drift off accidentally. “Don’t worry, honey. Everything’s gonna be fine, okay?” Sunset said. Thomas nodded, and then held onto his mother’s neck while they continued to journey on ahead.

“We're almost there!” Princess Skystar said, and when she and the Mane 8 got across the tunnel, they saw the underwater continental kingdom of Seaquestria.

“Wow!” The Mane 8, Spike and Thomas said, as they continued to follow Princess Skystar inside. As they entered the place, the Mane 8 and Spike gazed in awe while Thomas saw another female seapony, but she was queen sized and had light fuchsiaish gray scales, her mane and tail fins were a gradient of brilliant fuchsia to strong mulberry, and strong magenta eyes with lighter eyeshadow.

“Mother, look what I found!” Princess Skystar said. “Is it another shell?” Princess Skystar shook her head, “Mm-mm.”

“Because I am telling you if it is another shell, I am—“ Queen Novo then gasped loudly after seeing their guests. “Princess Skystar, what have you done?! You know surface dwellers are forbidden here! Guards! Seize them!” The guards grunted as the Mane 8 gasped, and Thomas whimpered while hiding underneath Fluttershy’s tail.

Princess Skystar swam up to Queen Novo, “No no n-no! M-M-Mom, please! It is so not like that! They mean no harm! The Storm King is trying to destroy their land!” Queen Novo looked at the Mane 8 with a sternly confused look.

“We need to find the Hippogriffs. Do you know what happened to them?” Twilight asked. “Well, of course I know. I'm the queen. I know everything,” Queen Novo said. “Oh, oh, it's such a great story!” Princess Skystar said. “Don't you dare tell them!” Queen Novo said.

“Once upon a time, like, a while ago, the Hippogriffs did live on Mount Aris,” Princess Skystar said, as the Mane 8 were amazed. Queen Novo grunted, “Did I not say don't tell them? But hey, I'm just the queen. Don't mind me.” She then gave a dismissed look and swam away unapproved.

“Fine! I can't tell you! But if I could tell you, I'd say that that horned beast did show up to steal their magic! But, to keep it out of his clutches, Queen Novo, hid them deep underwater where he could never go! But I can’t tell you how or why because it’s a big secret, so sorry,” Princess Skystar said, looking away, until winking at Thomas, before he giggled.

Queen Novo suddenly saw him hiding behind Fluttershy’s tail, and then smiled warmly at him before swimming over to the group. “Hello there, little one,” she said in a motherly tone. Thomas then nervously hid underneath Fluttershy’s tail again. “Thomas, it’s okay, sweetheart. She won’t hurt you,” Fluttershy said. Thomas then came out nervously and then smiled softly at the seapony queen. “Thomas, is it?” Queen Novo asked, until Thomas nodded. “My, you sure are young. But don’t worry, honey. There’s no need to be afraid.” Thomas then hugged her neck and then Queen Novo hugged him back with her hooves and then handed him back over to Fluttershy.

“Well, I guess the pearl is out the oyster now. I am Queen Novo, of Seaquestria and the hippogriffs,” she said. “Hold on now. Lemme get this straight. When the Storm King came, you just abandoned your entire city and fled?” Applejack asked. “We didn't flee! We swam! Y'know, in order to flee,” Princess Skystar said. “But... how?” Sunset asked.

Princess Skystar then got excited, “Oh! Can we show them? Huh? These are the first guests we've had in, like, foreveeerrr! Can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we?”

“Well, I suppose I should make sure it still works,” Queen Novo chuckled, and then she and Princess Skystar swam around a huge jellyfish that had a blue flower underneath, revealing the Pearl of Transformation.

Princess Skystar giggled excitedly as Queen Novo held the pearl in her hooves. “Careful, now,” she said, and then when she placed her other hoof on top of the pearl, activating its metamorphic magic towards the Mane 8, causing Princess Skystar to excitedly squeal.

The Mane 8 looked at the magic from the pearl showering around them, “Huh?” Suddenly, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Starlight and Sunset were starting to magically transform into seaponies.

“Oh!” Twilight and Starlight said while laughing in amazement as they gazed at their new body features, including Sunset.

“Ooh! Oh!” Fluttershy laughed while gazing at her transformation. “Oh. Wa-wa-whoa!” Applejack laughed and loved her seapony tail.

The Mane 8 gazed at their new seapony looks with awed reactions and laughs of amazement. “This is amazing!” Sunset said, touching her seapony tail. “Wow!” Fluttershy laughed. Rainbow Dash laughed in amazement.

“These fins are divine!” Rarity said. “Hey, Applejack, I'll race ya to that coral!” Rainbow Dash said, swimming on ahead. “You're on!” Applejack replied, swimming up towards Rainbow Dash.

“Woo-hoo!” Pinkie Pie giggled, doing a double flip with her seapony body. “Ooh! Try it, Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy giggled, until she caught her tail, “Yay.”

“Guys? Guys? What is...” Spike, who was now a blowfish, puffed like a balloon. “...happening?!”

“Aw, so cute!” Fluttershy said. “Momma?” Thomas said, nervously but softly smiling at his new look. They all gasped and saw that he had small gills on his lower face, piranha fins on his arms and his hands were webbed like a frog, and his legs had tail fins. “Is this normal?”

“Ooooh! The little cutie’s a seapony, but he’s a human along with it! He’s a seaman!” Pinkie Pie said, until the girls laughed at her comment, but Thomas started to break down. “Girls! Girls! You’re scaring the poor thing,” Rarity said, until she brought him over for a hug. “Don’t worry, precious. You’re still the same adorable and darling little colt we have ever met.” Thomas nodded and then rested himself against his aunt’s chest.

“This is amazing! With this, you could easily transform everycreature here into what they are now?” Starlight asked. “How do you do all of that?” Twilight asked.

“It’s easy. Just like I showed you,” Queen Novo said. “I just hold it carefully like this, and here you are. A seapony. We also didn’t want this to end up in his greedy claws.”

“So, is that a bad thing?” Sunset asked. “Yep. And to be absolutely clear, the pearl... is not going anywhere,” Queen Novo said.

“But we've come all this way. And you can't just hide down here! Trapped forever! There's so much you're missing!” Thomas said. “Thomas, calm down,” Twilight said. “We are one hundred percent okay with that. It’s my duty to protect my subjects from the likes of him,” Queen Novo said, until she heard Jamal chattering next to her holding some seaweed. “Oh! Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for my seaweed wrap. Mama needs her massage too as well.” She then swam away.

“So that's it? We left home for nothin'?” Applejack asked. “You mean... we’re not... we’re not going back?” Thomas asked, until he felt his heart and spirit breaking. “No, no, no, we’ll find a way,” Twilight said. “Hey, don’t lie to him! He’s very sensitive!” Rainbow Dash said. “He’s scared! It’s okay to lie to somepony if they’re scared!” Twilight said. “Twilight, calm down!” Sunset said. “I’m sorry! I’m doing the best I can to save all of us from extinction! I’m the one Tempest wants, and the last princess! I thought she was going to help us, but without her help, there’s no way to save Equestria or the princesses now!” Twilight said. “Y-YOU... YOU PROMISED!!!” Thomas said, until his heart and spirit were completely broken. “Is something wrong, precious?” Rarity asked. “I trusted you. I can’t b-believe that you lied to me,” Thomas replied. “Thomas? Sweetie, what is it?” Fluttershy asked. “No! Just... please! Leave me alone!” He said, until he swam towards them with a broken heart and continued sobbing. Fluttershy was worried about her little colt, so she decided to give him some time to cool off.

“Oh, my gosh! Best... idea! You can stay with us! Forever!” Princess Skystar laughed. “There are so many things we can do! We can make friendship bracelets out of shells and... picture frames outta shells and... decorative wastebaskets out of shells... Oh, I have so many projects that involve shells, haha! Now I have someone new to share them with! I mean, aside from my friends, Shelly and Sheldon. Right? "Shelly"? And "Sheldon"?” She then nervously chuckled, “Get it?” She chuckled, and then snorted.

“That sounds lovely, darling, but you must realize, we can't stay,” Rarity said. “We've gotta get back to our families,” Applejack said. “I know we have to go, but you guys saw how nice and friendly Princess Skystar was. Couldn't we stay for just a little longer?” Pinkie Pie asked, until Sunset replied, “Pinkie, we just don't have time for—“ Twilight then cut her off, “No. I think Pinkie's right.”

Rainbow Dash and the other 6 were confused, “Say what now?”

“Well, we still need to come up with a plan to get back. A few minutes or probably an hour or two... or three won't make a huge difference. And if there's anypony who can cram a lifetime of fun into a blink of an eye, it's Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie Pie made a beaming smile with a squee. “So, let’s go ahead and show Skystar the best time ever!” Twilight said until Pinkie Pie saluted her. “We won't let you down!”

“I'm counting on it,” Twilight said, worried about her nephew, but she knew that he’d come around later, while she and the rest of the Mane 8 were giggling while swimming over to Princess Skystar. Princess Skystar was playing a sad harp, “It's probably for the best.” She kept holding back her tears until she saw Pinkie Pie imitating Shelly and Sheldon.

Hey, now, don't be sad
I know we cannot stay
But we've got a couple minutes
And a little time to play

I know you have important things
So it's okay, just go

But we can still pick one small, little thing
To do with you, y'know!

One small thing doesn't seem like a lot
One small thing, work with the time you've got
Soon, one small thing becomes two
After two, perhaps another few
Then one small thing is not so small
One small thing can be the biggest thing of all

All right now, since you're here
Let's see what we can do
Swim with the flow until you go
Together, me and you

I've got necklaces for everyfish
So what else do ya got?

Well, we could play the bubblefish
You'll like this one a lot!

Onesmallthing,it'sagoodplacetostart

Justonesmallthing

Onesmallthing,andwedon'tseemsofarapart

Don'tseemapart

Soon, one small thing leads to more
It's so much more than there was before
Just one small thing, and you will see
The start of something big for you and me

One small thing

Just one small thing

Or a tall thing

Just one tall thing

Or a sing thing

Just one sing-y thing

Or a bling thing

Justonebling-ything

A conga thing

Yeah, a conga thing

Or a longah thing

Just one longah thing

A blue thing, true thing, you thing

Oooh-oooh

A whee thing, sea thing, me thing

Oooh-oooh-oooh!

Somanythingsandeverythinguntilourtimeisdone
There'sonesmallthingforeachandeveryone!

One small thing, so much we can create
You and me, we started something great
It's so amazing, look around
At all the happy sights and sounds
One small thing is big, it's true
You did this all for us
I just wish there was one small thing
An extra special kind of thing

That we could do for you...
Onesmallthing!

“Woo!” Queen Novo laughed. “Hmm?” Princess Skystar asked as she saw her mother feeling like she enjoyed the celebration. Pinkie Pie giggled, and then the rest of the Mane 8 laughed.

“Thanks for cheering me up, guys. I really appreciate it,” Princess Skystar said. “Aww, don’t mention it! We’re just glad you’re smiling again!” Pinkie Pie said. The other mares nodded in agreement, and then they went back with Queen Novo and swam back to her throne room.

Meanwhile, Thomas was still crying over the invasion from before and missing all of his friends from school, as he curled himself up and sat in a rock. He suddenly saw his aunts and mother coming back with Princess Skystar and Queen Novo and heard the Mane 8 laughing with Princess Skystar, until he saw Queen Novo sitting back on her throne with a warm sigh. Thomas then gulped nervously, and then swam over to the queen. “Excuse me?” Queen Novo looked at the little boy with a soft look of concern, “Yes?”

“Can... Can I please talk to you?” Thomas asked. “Of course, dear child,” Queen Novo said, as she motioned her hoof on her lap. “Here, why don’t you come sit with me?” Thomas nodded, and them swam closer towards the queen until he lowered himself carefully on her lap, and then Queen Novo wrapped her hooves around him for a hug, but to keep him comfortable. “Now, what’s bothering you?”

Thomas sniffed, “Well, for starters, I was an orphan back in my original home, my birthplace where we humans live, but the kids didn’t like me and the adults wanting children would never pick me. I then wished for a new home that I thought was a star, but it was Princess Luna’s moon, so she brought me to Equestria, and after meeting my new family and friends, my Momma adopted me and gave me a better life I always wanted.”

Queen Novo smiled warmly and then nuzzled her head onto his, “I’m glad she did, honey. Anything else you want to add?” Thomas nodded, until he leaned closer towards her chest, “Well, the other thing is... the r-reason why we’re here is... is because of the Storm King, but a pony named Tempest Shadow turned ponies into stone, including Princess Celestia, Luna, and Cadance, and the ponies back home are now imprisoned. The Storm King also wants Auntie Twilight’s magic for something bad, but I don’t want to lose her! I don’t want to lose my Momma either!”

Queen Novo realized how scared he was, so she brought him closer towards her chest and belly for a hug and then lowered her head onto the top of his, “Oh, honey, I'm so sorry about your home. I truly am. I never even knew how scared you were, but still it’s my duty as queen to protect my subjects.” Thomas whimpered and then leaned closer towards her chest and continued to cry, as Queen Novo gently patted him on the back of his head and rubbed his back at the same time, “Shh shh shhhhhh... It’s okay, little one. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

While she continued to hug the poor boy, Queen Novo then thought of an idea, since she saw the pearl hanging, “Wait here.” Thomas nodded and then Queen Novo swam up to the pearl and carefully held it in her hooves. She then turned to the Mane 8, “Princess Twilight?”

The Mane 8 looked and saw Queen Novo, and the pearl. Twilight gasped in excitement, “Does this mean?” Queen Novo nodded, “You... and your friends... have my permission... to use the pearl against the Storm King. It should come in handy.” Twilight and the girls cheered in excitement. “Thank you, Queen Novo! We’ll bring it back, or if you come for it at our Friendship Festival, that’s fine.”

Queen Novo nodded, and then pointed it at the group, “Good luck, and take care of it. Cause once you return, you should see it with you.” She then casted the spell to return them to the surface.

Chapter 9: Twilight Captured/Rescue Plan

Later on, back at the shoreline of Mount Aris, the Mane 8 popped out of the water, and then gasped for air. When they walked out of the water and onto the sand, Thomas was now shivering as Fluttershy held him against her chest as he was wet and cold.

Suddenly, they were surrounded by storm creatures, and then saw Tempest Shadow with them. “Well, fancy meeting you here,” she said. “Tempest!” Twilight said, as Fluttershy held her son closer to her. When the Storm Creatures had the Mane 7 surrounded, Twilight looked back at Tempest as a Storm Creature held her wings to restrain her. “I feel sorry for you princess. It’s really a shame that once you’re alone without somepony watching your back, they’ll always betray you,” Tempest said. “I’m going to give you an option in order for me to spare your friends. Surrender yourself and come with us to Canterlot, and if you refuse, they die.”

Twilight looked back at her friends as they made comments telling her “not to do it.” She then looked back at Tempest, “I’ll go with. Just don’t hurt them.” The Mane 7 gasped, and then Tempest smirked, “Good choice.” After with a nod of confirmation, Thomas was suddenly grabbed by a storm creature and thrown into a cage with Twilight. “And let this be a warning!” Tempest said, after climbing onto the cage. “Dare to follow us, and I will hurt him.” Thomas looked down at his mother, reaching out for her, “Mommy! No, don’t let her take me! Help me! Help me! Mommy! Mommy!”

Fluttershy tried to reach for him, but she was suddenly dropped and then caught by Rainbow Dash, until she cried underneath Rarity’s chest. “Fluttershy! Get help! I’ll take care of him!” Twilight said, hugging him towards her chest as he sat on her lap. “Mommy!!” Thomas screamed. The door shut, as the cage that had Thomas and Twilight was placed near Tempest. “Aww, look at that. Poor Princess Twilight, all alone with her poor little nephew,” Tempest said. “And with no way out.”

“Why are you doing this? You’re a pony just like me,” Twilight asked, until Tempest charged up her horn and make an terrifying type of electric shock to scared Thomas and Twilight as she hugged him tightly, but gently. “I’m nothing like you! I’m more than you’ll ever be!”

“But... but we’ve done nothing to you,” Thomas said. “Doesn’t matter,” Tempest said, and then she started to teach them a lesson.

It's time you learned a lesson
It's time that you understand
Don't ever count on anybody else
In this or any other land

I once hoped for friendship
To find a place among my kind
But those were the childish wishes
Of someone who was blind

Open up your eyes
See the world from where I stand
Me, among the mighty
You, caged at my command

Open up your eyes
Give up your sweet fantasy land
It's time to grow up and get wise
Come now, little one, open up your eyes

We all start out the same
With simple naive trust
Shielded from the many ways
That life's not fair or just

But then there comes a moment
A simple truth that you must face
If you depend on others
You'll never find your place

And as you take that first step
Upon a path that's all your own
You see it all so clearly
The best way to survive is all alone

Open up your eyes
See the world from where I stand
Me, among the mighty
You, caged at my command

Open up your eyes
And behold the faded light
It's time to grow up and get wise
Come now, little one, open up your eyes

Open up your eyes!

“I'm so sorry you felt so alone,” Twilight said, while she continued to hug Thomas, who was resting himself on her chest fur and snuggled underneath her wings. “I saw the truth. My "friends" abandoned me when times got tough. Looks like I'm not the only one. Face it, Princess. Friendship will soon fail you, too,” Tempest said.

“No. Friends will always look out for you. I used to be just like you, but I was lonely in the orphanage because nobody liked me or wanted to be my friend, and no one would ever adopt me as a son. So that’s why you should never give up hope and be patient, or otherwise you’re being hard on yourself,” Thomas said.

Tempest was shocked about what she heard him say, then returned to her evil self, “What’s the difference? The Storm King will help fix my horn once I help him get what he wants, which is all the magic of the four princesses of Equestria.”

“The Storm King is nothing but a jerk, a liar and a false king!” Thomas said. Tempest then charged up her horn, “How DARE YOU!” Thomas whimpered in fear as Twilight hugged him. Tempest then uncharged her horn and then looked with a evil smiling face, “No. I’ll forgive you for your outburst, Thomas. IF you join us. Think about it while I see to the princess. I want her to hear your answer once we get to Canterlot. Besides, I think the Storm King might have some valuable use of you at his side.” She then walked away to check on the bridge, leaving Twilight alone with Thomas until he found out that he was small enough to fit through the cage bars. “Auntie Twilight! I’m free!” Thomas said. “Thomas, way to go!” Twilight said, and then made sure no one was around, then looked back at her nephew. “Okay, listen to me. Find and exit, and see if you can find a way back to Mount Aris, okay?” Thomas nodded, “We’ll come get you.” Twilight nodded, and then Thomas carefully and quietly made his way to a safer way out of the ship.

Suddenly, Tempest came back, “So, what’s your answer?” She suddenly saw that he was gone, until seeing him escaping. “RUN, THOMAS! RUN!” Twilight hollered, and then Thomas started running. “After him, you fools!” Tempest shouted, as the storm creature guards tried to grab the small boy, but he ran as fast as his legs could take him until he grabbed a box and tied some rope and grabbed a tarp to make a parachute.

When he was outside, he was nervously scared about how high he was, and then he closed his eyes and made a jump for it. “Go, sweetheart. Go,” Twilight said, feeling proud of her nephew’s brave escape. “Hmph! It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are still in possession of the Storm King when he arrives,” Tempest said, and then walked back over to the bridge, as Twilight looked down with despair, but hoped that they’d come for her.

Meanwhile, Thomas was still falling, but as he tried to maintain more altitude with the parachute as he entered the right amount of altitude, but he suddenly crashed into a couple of big pointy rocks, and then he tried to hold onto the rope as he was about to fall towards another pointy rock.

“Help! Somebody help me!” Thomas suddenly lost the grip on the rope and started falling to his death, until he felt a pair of light gambogeish gray fur covered talon arms holding him against her chest that had a seashell necklace. He looked up and saw that it was Princess Skystar who saved him. “PRINCESS SKYSTAR!” Thomas said, as he nuzzled with her chest fur. “Don’t worry, cutie. I’ve got you,” she said, while holding him while flying.

Back at the beach, the Mane 7 were sitting around a campfire to get warm from shivering after getting out of the water. Fluttershy sighed depressingly while stroking and brushing her mane with her hooves, “This whole journey was such a mistake. All we wanted was somepony to help us, but now my son’s taken by that monster of a king, unlike Sombra or Chrysalis.”

“Yeah, I feel ya, Fluttershy. But I’m sure we’ll come up with somethin’ to get them both back safe and sound,” Applejack said. “Well, we can’t just sit here and do nothing! We gotta get her and Thomas back!” Rainbow Dash said. “How? We'll never catch up!” Fluttershy said. “And we got no way to defeat those monsters,” Applejack said. Fluttershy sighed disappointedly.

“Well, good thing I happen to know of a group of mighty heroes that could handle this easily!” said a familiar voice. The Mane 7 turned around and saw Capper standing there in a heroic pose.

“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. No offense,” Rarity said. “Eh, none taken. These heroes have faced the Storm King's army and escaped! I've seen them tackle the streets of the roughest towns, break out of the tightest situations, and inspire others to join their cause!” Capper said. The Mane 7 and Spike replied with a “Ooooh.”

“Now don't get too excited. He's just talkin' about us,” Applejack said, until the other 6 and Spike replied with a “Awww.”

“They even escaped certain doom at the hooves of Commander Tempest!” Capper said. “Yeah. That was pretty great,” Rainbow Dash said. “Are you kidding me?! That was awesome!” Captain Celaeno’s voice said, as she and her crew appeared also making a heroic pose. Squabble squawked. “Figured you could use a claw!” Boyle said.

“We're on board to help you fight the Storm King! Just not on board our... actual ship,” Captain Celaeno said. “That crazy unicorn sunk it. But you got back our argh! And we're ready to kick some booty,” Mullet said. Boyle and the other pirates then laughed heartily.

After the laughter was done, they saw Skystar landing carefully on a nearby rock with Thomas in her right talon arm. She then lowered him onto the ground, “MOMMA!”

“Thomas!” Fluttershy said, lowering herself to bring her colt over for a hug, and gently smothered his face with kisses, “Oh, Thomas! Thank goodness you’re safe!”

Skystar then looked at her new friends, “Hello again. I don’t normally go out on my own. But my mother wanted to help you after helping us understand and live off our fears of The Storm King, so she asked me to come up and help. After all, one small thing, can make a big change.” Pinkie Pie squealed excitedly.

Thomas ran over to her and hugged her fur covered talon arms, until she hugged him back. “And please stop your crying. No offense, but it’s not gonna help us get your Auntie Twilight back,” she said.

“That's it, right? We didn't make friends with anypony else?” Spike asked. “Well, you have a unicorn who’s made shelter in the human world and can read memories, and one unicorn who’s an extreme expert on magic,” Sunset said. “All right, y'all! I think our course is clear. Y'all ready to do this thang?” Capper asked.

“We're coming, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said, and then everypony cheered. “As soon as we bake up a plan!” Thomas then saw the pearl, but it was a silver bracelet on his wrist, “Momma, look!” They all saw the pearl on his wrist. “They accepted our help! We can do this!” Rainbow Dash said. “Then, let’s get this party started!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

Chapter 11: Battle for Canterlot (Part 1)

Meanwhile, near the entrance to Canterlot, the sound of wheels clanking appear, and there came Capper with an apron and toque, and a big cake with Spike breathing fire like a candle, and the Mane 8 shackled in chains together and pulling the cake over. The Storm Creatures saw it, until their shields clanged for a fight.

“Uh, yeah, I got a delivery here for a Mister "The Storm King". I was given explicit instructions to bring this here cake to this here castle's throne room,” Capper said. The storm creatures growled as they brandished their weapons, and then Capper made a little lie, “All right, then. Look here. Could one o' y'all go be a pal, go tell your boss he's not gettin' his "congratulations on subduing defenseless pastel ponies" cake? 'Cause I don't wanna be the one responsible for the big guy missin' his special dessert. You know what I'm sayin'?” The storm creatures growled with a nod in reply or shrug on their shoulders.

“Thank you kindly, fellas. I'mma be sure and put in a good word for the botha y'all.” Capper said, then a storm creature snarled for confirmation, as Capper winked at a smiling Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie, quit lookin' so happy! Ya ain't foolin' nopony!” Applejack said quietly. “Oh! Okay!” Pinkie Pie replied with a whimper. The wheels continued clanking as the mares continued to pull the cake into Canterlot. “Oh, hello, cake!” Grubber said, running over to the big cake. “Ooh! Don't mind if I do!” Some of the cake splattered as he took a piece of it, and munched it.

“Mmm! That's some, like, gourmet thing!” He then saw Squabble’s eyeball. “Who putth eyeballth in filling?” He then hyperventilated as he saw it blink, “Guards!” Squabble grabbed Grubber and pulled him into the cake. The storm creatures growled as they realized they’d been tricked.

“Uh-oh. Plan B?” Capper asked. “The jig is up!” Rainbow Dash said as she kicked the wood where the cake stood, and then the pirates popped out in a slow motion moment, and then landed on the ground.

“Come on!” Captain Celaeno said. “Harr!” Mullet said, as the other pirates joined the fight, and then Starlight and Sunset went on ahead and freed the ponies that were in cages, and told them to get inside any building they can find until the fighting is over.

Princess Skystar was soaring in the air. “Oof!” She grunted as she grabbed a storm creature guard, “Gotcha!” She then made a bowling strike with other guards. Squabble squawked as he tied up a guard with a life preserver, and Lix Spittle grunted while kicking the storm creature in the butt, causing that storm creature to yell and Lix Spittle to laugh.

Applejack grunted while tying up a storm creature guard with her rope, and Capper and Rarity tied up a couple of guards with a red ribbon, “Lovely!” Pinkie Pie jumped up onto the hands of a storm creature guard with a present, “Surprise!” The storm creature made surprised grunts, until Pinkie Pie popped out with cupcakes in her hooves, “Double surprise!!” She then threw the cupcakes at the guard. “Whee!” Pinkie Pie laughed, while rapidly throwing more cupcakes.

Fluttershy whimpered, until a storm creature guard caught her, “Ooh!” The storm creature growled at her, until Fluttershy thought of an idea, “You seem tense. Do you wanna talk about it?”

The Storm Creature was confused, “Huh?”

Captain Celaeno caught a storm creature guard’s spear with her sword, “Yeah!” She and Rainbow Dash suddenly heard screaming coming from the sky. They looked up and saw Thomas falling. “Ooh! Ooh! I got him! I got him!” Pinkie Pie said, until she tried to get enough distance for him by setting up a few pillows for him to softly land on. But he was almost too close to the ground, until Applejack swooped him into her foreleg against her chest and skidded on the road. “You alright, little feller?” she asked. Thomas nodded as he was shaking, then he leaned closer towards the fur on her neck and chest for a nuzzle.

“Yeah! That was so awesome!” Rainbow Dash said. “If it means savin’ somepony you care about the most, then yeah,” Applejack said, as she helped Thomas onto her back.

“Head for the castle! We'll hold them off!” Captain Celaeno said, blocking the spear with her sword.

“Come on!” Rainbow Dash said, as she and the other mares ran off towards the castle. The storm creature was blubbering with tears like he was crying, as Fluttershy comforted him. “There, there. Let it all out.”

“Fluttershy! Come on!” Everypony else said. Fluttershy began to catch up with her friends after talking to the crying storm creature guard, “Oh! Sorry, our time is up. Buh-bye!”

The storm creature guard waved back, “Goodbye!”

The storm creatures kept grunting while swinging their weapons at the group. “Keep going!” Princess Skystar said, until she had Shelly and Sheldon in her claws. “Shelly? Sheldon? Show him what your made of!” Shelly and Sheldon were now chattering as Princess Skystar threw them, and then landed on the eyes of a storm creature guard. “I can't see!”

The Mane 8 went on ahead, until the storm creatures growled at seeing the group coming over them. “Uh oh,” Applejack said. Spike then decided to do something brave, so he got himself angry, and then he inhaled and took a huge and slowly heavy deep breath, and then he started breathing fire like a living flamethrower. The storm creatures screamed as Spike lit them up on fire, and Thomas then carefully climbed up onto the tower to save his Auntie Twilight.

“What?! How?!” Tempest Shadow asked. Twilight gasped with pride, “It's... It's the Magic of...”

“Yeah, yeah! Friendship, and flowers, and ponies, and bleh!” The Storm King said dramatically. “I'm so totally over the cute pony thing. This... ends... now!”

The Storm King then raised the staff of Sacannas and then shot a huge amount of lightning bolts everywhere, causing a huge storm that felt like a tornado, and then started laughing evilly as it came to be.

“Uh-oh,” Sunset said. “This is not good!” Starlight said. Rarity and Fluttershy yelped, as the wind was too strong for them.

The Storm King made a maniacal laughter, “Yeah! Now this is how it’s done!”

“Move your hooves! We can still win this!” Sunset said. Rarity screamed as the lightning almost stuck here, as the storm creatures were now yelling at the lightning that was chasing them and scaring them off. “You'd have to be flying faster than a speeding Pegasus to break through that wind!” Rainbow Dash said. Pinkie Pie gasped, “Excellent idea, Rainbow Dash! I’ve got an idea! Be right back!” She then ran off to get something.

“Now I truly am the Storm King! And the entire world will bow to me!” he said. “Yes, yes, you are every bit as powerful as I promised, Sire, now, restore my horn and I swear to use my magic to serve you!” Tempest replied with a kneel. The Storm King laughed, “Who cares about your dinky little unicorn horn?!” Tempest gasped, “But... we... we had an agreement! You said you would—“

The Storm King chuckled mischievously, “Oh, get with the program! I used you! It's kind of what I do! Now get out of my sight! I’m trying to enjoy the show!” The lightning zapped from the Storm King’s staff as Tempest yelped while dodging the attack, and then charged up her horn to repel the attack, but the zap blasted them both.

The Storm King and Tempest yelped, and then The Storm King grunted as he landed knocked out while holding Twilight gasped at the Storm King, and then saw Tempest holding onto the railing as the storm was trying to suck her in as she gasped and grunted with her life, until the strong wind started pulling her in.

She then saw Twilight holding her hoof, “Hold on!”

Tempest saw the concern in Twilight’s eyes, “Why are you saving me?” Twilight then smiled warmly at Tempest, “Because this... is what friends do.”

Tempest smiled warmly at the alicorn who saved her life, and then Twilight grunted while pulling Tempest towards the balcony, and then Twilight placed herself onto Tempest’s side. “You okay?” Twilight asked. “Yeah. You?” Tempest said. “Never better,” Twilight said.

Thomas watched from behind, until the Storm King walked up to them. Thomas then got angry and grabbed the broken spear he had with him.

“Awwww! Isn't that just so sweet!” The Storm King said sarcastically, until he laughed, pointing the staff at the two ponies. “Yeah. See ya!” He charged up the staff, but suddenly Thomas jumped by using a drape as a swing, and then landed himself on the Storm King’s shoulders and wrapped his legs around his neck tightly, and then grabbed his horns to tug them. “AGH!”

The Storm King tried to grab him, but Thomas was to small for him. “Thomas?” Twilight asked. “Did he just...” Tempest asked.

Chapter 12: Battle for Canterlot (Part 2)

Meanwhile, the Mane 8 were placed into a giant cannon that was set to blast them to the castle.

“You sure about this?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Yes! Absolutely! Let’s do it! Thank you! I'm excited! Who's excited?! Aaah! I've never been so excited!” Pinkie Pie said, until Spike jumped and then lit the fuse with his fire breath and hopped into the cannon.

The cannon then made a huge boom, and the rest of the Mane 8 and Spike were screaming, while Pinkie Pie laughed, “Whee!”

Thomas saw them coming and then aimed the Storm King for the upcoming bombardment. “INCOMIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!” Rainbow Dash said, as the Mane 8 and Spike bumped into the Storm King and he landed inside the castle after crashing through the window.

“Bull's-eye!” Pinkie Pie said weakly. “MOMMA!” Thomas said, as he was running over to Fluttershy. “Thomas!” she said, wrappping her hoof around him as he wrapped himself all over her other leg.

“You all came back! I knew you would come!” Twilight said. “Not that I was worried or anything, but you’re the bravest pair of friends a pony could ever ask for.” Pinkie Pie had tears in her eyes, and then zoomed over to hug Twilight, “I knew that! We’re just glad that you’re okay!”

“Uh, make up later! This isn't over!” Rainbow Dash said. The Mane 8 gasped at the staff as it was starting to destroy the castle as more debris was falling and the walls were crackling and crumbling into piles and being blown away. Tempest Shadow panted to get out of the way and take cover.

Twilight grunted and gasped as they all tried to avoid the storm, “I've gotta get control of it!”

“Go! You've got this, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said. “No. We've got this. Together,” Twilight said. “Momma!” Thomas said, pointing at the Storm King, getting back on his feet.

The Mane 6 held hooves with each other, and then Thomas grabbed Applejack’s rope. “Get the staff!”

“Thomas?! What are you doing?!” Rainbow Dash asked, as they saw him tying Applejack’s rope with her, and then onto a big rock. “We’ll hold the rock steady!” Sunset said, as she and Starlight concentrated enough magic to keep the rock in place. “Thomas! Be careful!” Twilight said. Thomas nodded, and then went to go fight the Storm King.

“Whee!” Pinkie Pie said as they were feeling like they were flying as a chain, and then stayed that way as Twilight tried to reach for the staff. The Storm King grunted as he got back up, “The staff belongs to me!” Twilight gasped as she nearly got closer.

The Mane 6 whimpered as Twilight was almost close. “No! That's my staff!! Miiiiiine!! Mine!!!“ The Storm King said, as he was now tumbling down the debris while climbing. He then saw Thomas looking at them like he didn’t want the tyrant to hurt them. “Well... looks like we’ve got ourselves a little weakling trying to defend them, huh?” he said rudely. Thomas then started shaking, but he tried to be brave. “You think you can take me? You ain’t worth it,” The Storm King said.

“That may be true. I may be small, but I am big hearted... and I may run from danger, but I will always stand up... and fight... a bully!” Thomas said, as he threw a couple of rocks at the Storm King, and then he got angry and started chasing him.

Starlight and Sunset looked back at Thomas holding off The Storm King while the Mane 6 try to retrieve the staff. “Almost... there!” Twilight said as she was nearly there while reaching out her hooves.

Thomas hid underneath the rocks as the Storm King tried to grab him, but Thomas was still too small to reach. As the Storm King finally got him, Thomas screamed and then grabbed his hand and bit it. “AGH! Why you little!” The Storm King said, as he tried to crush him with his fists, but Thomas ran from him and kept throwing rocks at him.

“Whoa!” Applejack said, as the rock was being pulled in. Thomas then climbed up the balcony, leaving the Storm King confused, “What’re you doing up there?”

“This!” Thomas said, as he swung towards the Storm King and kicked his face with his feet, and then Spike breathed fire at him.

Suddenly, as Twilight finally had the staff with her, the glass broke and then she and The Storm King screamed as the wind pulled them into the hurricane.

“Twilight! Nooooooooooo!!!” Pinkie Pie said, as she saw their friend go into the storm, and then the wind started to die down with a glow of the sun.

“The storm’s over,” Thomas said. “We’re all okay, b-but...” Thomas then broke down into Pinkie Pie’s belly and then hugged her as she hugged him while sobbing, and then Applejack and Fluttershy came to comfort them both.

The light suddenly glistened as Thomas and Pinkie Pie saw something coming. “Look!” Thomas said, and then they saw Twilight flying over with the staff in her forelegs, and then she landed on the ground. “Auntie Twilight!” Thomas said. “Yay!” Pinkie Pie said. “Yee-haw!” Applejack laughed. “All right!” The other Mane 5 laughing and cheering. “Group hug!” Pinkie Pie squealed as they got in together, and Thomas hugged Twilight on the side. Twilight sighed as they enjoyed the moment.

Tempest was happy to see them all together again.

The Storm King grunted as he climbed up with a orb in his hand, planning to turn the Thomas into an obsidian statue. Tempest gasped, “THOMAS!”

The Mane 8 and Spike gasped as they saw The Storm King was about to toss it, but Tempest ran over and landed in front of Thomas and the Storm King and then he started turning into obsidian as the orb broke onto Tempest’s hoof and puffed smoke. Twilight prevented Tempest’s petrification with the staff, as the Storm King then fell onto the ground below and then broke into pieces as the other pieces fell into the river until some other pieces fell over the waterfall.

Thomas hugged Twilight’s leg as she kept her wing wrapped around him. “Whoa! I can't believe she did that!” Rainbow Dash said. “Me neither,” Applejack said. Fluttershy then came over to hug her son, and so did Rarity. “I can,” Twilight said.

“Now what?” Fluttershy asked. “Now... we fix everything,” Tempest said, and then Twilight nodded.

Chapter 13: Restoring Equestria & The Friendship Festival

After they got back inside, Thomas placed his hands on the staff, pointed it at the princesses and concentrated on their petrification but in reverse. Princess Cadance shook the obsidian crumbles from her mane, Princess Luna gasped as she saw herself released, and Princess Celestia unfolded her wings gasping in shock, and then she smiled warmly at her pupil, “Twilight!”

“Princesses! Oh!” She then came over to the three alicorns for a hug, and then the other Mane 7 did, but Thomas hugged Cadance as she wrapped her foreleg and wing around them. Thomas then held the staff with two hands and then they all joined him for another group hug. “Together,” Twilight said, and then when the crystal touched the floor, the magic from within the staff and the pearl on Thomas’s bracelet was released and spread everywhere in Canterlot, freeing the petrified ponies and returning the color and happiness everywhere.

“Princess Celestia? There’s somepony who wants to talk to you, and make amends,” Thomas said, pointing at Tempest Shadow. “Princess Celestia... I’ve now come to you humbly asking for forgiveness and that whatever punishment you have for me I shall accept,” she said, kneeling towards the sun princess. “Tempest Shadow... you may have doomed Equestria, but after seeing what Twilight has done for you, and the bravery our little one has brought up... we’d be honored to make you an honorary citizen of Equestria,” Princess Celestia said. “Now it looks like we have plenty to rebuild,” Princess Luna said. “Sure looks like it,” Princess Cadance said. “By the way, Thomas is also the real hero. He risked his life to save us from the Storm King while we were grabbing the staff!” Rainbow Dash said.

“But I’m sure he didn’t mean to,” Fluttershy said, holding her son against her chest with one foreleg. “But... what about the festival?” Thomas asked. “I still wanna meet Songbird Serenade.”

Twilight thought of an idea, “I do have one idea, but I was thinking if we could invite the hippogriffs so you could meet the queen and get to know her.”

Princess Celestia nodded, and then they all went over to help redecorate for the Friendship Festival, and rebuild Canterlot.

Later on, most of the buildings were rebuilt and some of them were started to be rebuilt, and the ponies who helped redecorate for the festival helped out. Thomas finally got his autograph and picture taken with Songbird Serenade, until she unexpectedly kissed him on the cheek.

“Sassy Saddles, Coco Pommel? May I borrow you both for a moment?” Rarity asked, as she trotted over to her fashion managers from Canterlot and Manehattan. Sassy Saddles was a supermodel sized unicorn mare with pale light grayish cerulean fur, a curly and perfectly brushed mane and tail colored brilliant vermilion with light amber and light tangelo stripes and with a gradient of moderate fuchsia to moderate orchid on the shadowed side, brilliant orange eyes with moderate Persian blue eyeshadow, and a black dress with gold studs and a saddle.

Coco Pommel was a earth pony mare with light amberish gray fur, a two-tone pale light grayish cyan and light opalish gray mane and tail, light cyan eyes, she wore a white-bordered lavender sailor collar with a scarlet tie and a tri-shade hair clip in the back of her mane, and her flank had a cutie mark of a lavender floppy hat with a scarlet feather.

“Yes, Rarity?” Sassy Saddles asked. “Can we help you?” Coco Pommel asked. “I’d like you both to meet my darling nephew, Thomas. He’s my friend, Fluttershy’s son,” Rarity said. “Hello there, little sweetheart,” Sassy Saddles said. “My, don’t look cute?” Coco Pommel said sweetly. Thomas blushed as he was pulled into a hug by Coco. “Are you enjoying your time in Equestria, sweetie?” she asked. Thomas nodded, “Yeah. I am.”

“My, my. A certain taste of children’s fashion, hmm?” Sassy Saddles asked, then thought of an idea. “Rarity, would you be alright if Coco and I helped make some outfits for your nephew?”

“Why, yes! I’d certainly be honored!” Rarity said, and then she showed them both his measurements on a piece of paper, and then the two mares wrote the notes down. “There, now when we return to Ponyville, be sure to send me whatever you come up with and I’ll deliver it to him.” Sassy Saddles and Coco Pommel nodded, and then they felt a hug from Thomas. “You’re very welcome, sweetie,” Sassy Saddles said, until she leaned over to give him a kiss on the top of his head.

“Thomas? Why don’t you run along and have fun while we take care of everything?” Rarity asked. Thomas nodded, and then waved goodbye to the three mares, and then he ran off to find something fun to do.

Later on, the princesses and Twilight were having a nice view of the festival set up, until Starlight heard a giggle from underneath the tent while checking Twilight’s checklist. She smirked warmly, since she knew who it was, and then went to go look, “Gee... I wonder where a certain cutie of a nephew of mine has gone.” He suddenly saw her turn around, and then he carefully crept out and playfully pounced on her. Starlight jumped with a scream, until she saw him laughing until she giggled with a warm-hearted chuckle, “My goodness. You scared me.”

“Gotcha!” Thomas said, until he hid underneath her tail. “Oh, so that’s how you wanna play, huh? Well, here comes the tickle monster!” She then sat on her haunches and held him in both her forelegs and blew a raspberry on his belly, until he laughed and screamed at the same time. When she stopped to catch him breath, Starlight pulled him in for a hug against her chest and neck.

“Princess Celestia? Princess Luna? It’s almost time,” Twilight said. “Thank you, Twilight,” Princess Celestia said. “And by the way... since we’ve looked through your plan... we’ll do it your way, but with our help.”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Twilight said happily.

Later on, as Princess Celestia got ready to lower her sun, Twilight decided to make an announcement, “Ponies of Equestria... thank you for coming and I’d like to welcome you all to the Canterlot’s annual Friendship Festival!” The ponies cheered for her motivational speech, then Twilight continued. “Now, let’s celebrate with a little features!” Princess Celestia lowered the sun, and then Princess Luna raised the moon, allowing Princess Cadance to use her crystal magic to create the light show that was planned, causing ponies to cheer and have fun.

The princesses came over for their announcement as well. Princess Celestia came first, “I’d like to thank Twilight for planning this joyous occasional celebration, and we’d like to thank her for offering us our help, and it’s important to ask before things happen, and to find ways to help somepony in need, even if you don’t trust them.” Princess Cadance then made her announcement, “And now, to celebrate the fact that we're all still here in one piece, give it up for Princess Twilight and her friends!” The ponies cheered for the group of heroes.

“Let’s get this party started!” Pinkie Pie said, shooting confetti, balloons, and streamers from her party cannons. They all enjoyed the party.

Rainbow Dash and Captain Celaeno made a bro-hoof. Rarity finished up a top hat and cape for Capper. “Ooh!” he said, as Rarity was almost done with the stitching. “And perfection!” she said. “I think I like it!” Capper said.

Tempest was surprised about how well the festival was set up, “Well, that's one thing that never changes around here. The party.”

“Well, I hope you'll stay. More friends are definitely merrier,” Twilight said, as Thomas nodded in agreement, as he sat on Starlight’s back eating an apple fritter, two pink and white frosted chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles, some freshly peeled baby carrots and freshly cut apple slices, and a mug of apple cider from Applejack. “If you want too, that is,” Starlight said. “Yeah, totally,” Sunset said. Tempest sighed, “But, um... my horn.”

“You know, your horn is pretty powerful, just like the pony it belongs to,” Twilight said. “But the thing is, it doesn’t matter what it looks like on the outside, except it’s what the inside that counts,” Thomas said. “Thomas has a point,” Starlight said.

“I did tell you I wanted to show everypony in Equestria what I could do, right? Well, what do you think of this?” Tempest the charged up her horn and made some fireworks for the light show Cadance created.

“Nice touch, Tempest!” Pinkie Pie said. “Actually, that's not my real name,” Tempest said. “Oooh! What is it?!” Pinkie Pie asked excitedly. Tempest then whispered into Pinkie’s ear quietly, “It's "Fizzlepop Berrytwist".” Pinkie Pie gasped “Okay! That is the most awesome name ever!“

“Hey! That’s my mojo!” Rainbow Dash said, until the Mane 8, Tempest, Princess Skystar, Spike and Thomas laughed together, until they saw Queen Novo appear, along with other hippogriffs beside her.

Queen Novo was now a hippogriff with light fuchsiaish gray fur and feathers with pale light grayish arctic blue chest fur and miniature feathers and gradient tinted fur on the lower back of her talon arm forelegs and hoof hind legs that were pale fuchsiaish gray, a feather mane and tail in a gradient of brilliant fuchsia to strong mulberry with moderate purple peacock spots and sky blue cattail shaped feathers on her head and tail, and she had a pale light grayish yellow beak.

Princess Skystar gasped, and ran up to her, “Mom!” She then hugged her mother as Queen Novo hugged her daughter back. “I am so proud of you, honey,” Queen Novo said, as she laughed. “Well, it was actually the ponies, and this little cutie right here,” Princess Skystar said, mentioning Thomas next to her. Queen Novo lowered herself down to him with a warm motherly smile on her beak.

“Thomas, I can’t thank you or your family enough for saving us from The Storm King. You are a human hero to us.” Queen Novo gave Thomas a motherly kiss on the cheek before pulling him into a motherly warm hug. Thomas just smiled and rested his head and body on her soft warm fur and feather covered chest while hearing her heartbeat, until she lowered her head onto his shoulder. “You see, Mom? One small thing can make a difference, but it was the magic of friendship that saved us all,” Princess Skystar said. Queen Novo nodded, until she saw Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadance walk over. “You must be Princesses Celestia, Luna and Cadance,” Queen Novo said. Princess Celestia nodded, “You are Queen Novo of the hippogriffs?”

“Yes, I am,” Queen Novo said, as she and Celestia saw Thomas snuggling in her light blue chest fur while she was holding him. “He does that if he has nightmares or if I give him some cuddles before bed,” Fluttershy said. Queen Novo nodded, and then they all sat down while some remained standing up.

Spike cleared his throat as he had a microphone in his hand, “Fillies and gentlecolts, get ready for a little...” A trumpet fanfare was played, and then a drumroll. “Songbird Serenade!” The crowd cheered as she walked up to sing her song.

“Hey, Twilight? Why don’t you tell us about your big adventure?” Cadance asked. Twilight then told them everything while Thomas enjoyed Songbird Serenade’s song.

Chapter 10: The Storm King’s Reign of Terror Begins

Back at Canterlot, things were still looking bad, and lots of ponies were still kept in cages and being guarded by many storm creature guards.

Capper, Skystar, the pirates, and the Mane 8 saw the cage that Twilight was in through Captain Celaeno’s telescope. “There she is,” she said. And it looks like it’s head for that castle right there. “Well, we best come up with somethin’, and fast,” Applejack said. “What if we form a surprise attack party?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed softly. “Surprise attack, huh? I like this one,” Capper said with a purr.

Thomas then grabbed some rope and wrapped it around himself, grabbed his backpack, and then made a miniature hunter’s spear as a weapon with a sharp rock he carved, the rope, and a miniature wooden pole he found, and then his invisibility cloak. “Thomas, where did you get that?!” Fluttershy said. “I made it myself,” Thomas said.

“Thomas, you can’t come. It’s too dangerous, buddy,” Rainbow Dash said. “She’s right, precious. You’re best safer here,” Rarity said. “No! I’m coming with,” Thomas said. “I’m sorry, Momma. But I’ve gotta disobey you. I know I can do this.” Fluttershy looked at him with a warm smile, and then kneeled down so he can climb up onto her back, “Okay, but you better be careful. We’ll come get you, okay?” Thomas nodded, until he hugged her neck. “Thank you, Momma,” Thomas said. Fluttershy nodded with a warm sigh and nuzzled his face. “Go on. Hurry.” Thomas nodded and then he started to run over to the castle by taking a few shortcuts.

“Okay, Pinkie. Tell us what to do,” Rainbow Dash said. Then Pinkie Pie started to explain her plan.

After the doors opened, Tempest and the storm creature guards entered the throne room where the three petrified princesses were held.

Grubber laughed as he saw Twilight with them. “Tempest, don't do this. Don't give the Storm King...” Tempest cut her off, “Your magic? Did you think you'd keep it all to yourself? Time to share. I'd love for everybody out there to know what I can really do.”

“Ooh, fascinating! What can you really do?” a voice appeared. It was The Storm King, and he was a satyr/yeti like creature with azureish gray fur with phthalo bluish gray flesh face, hands, and feet, and brilliant opal eyes. He also had black armor all over his torso, and a big pointy crown made of black marble and dark gray chrome steel. He also had the Staff of Sacanas.

“Your bidding, of courth, Your Mighty One,” Grubber said, as he then panicked and ran out of the room. “Bidding's good. I like bidding!” The Storm King said, until he looked down at Twilight in her cage. “Um, what are you supposed to be?” Twilight made a brave and confident face, “I'm the Princess of Friendship!”

The Storm King made a derpy unamused face, and then laughed like it was a joke, “Oh. That's nice!” He then turned to Tempest with a little frustration and disappointment, “Why is this one still moving?”

“She and her friends put up a bit of a fight, but she's alone now. She won't be a problem,” Tempest said. The Storm King then ruffled her mane, “Yeah. So, speaking of problems, check out this place!” He then gazed at it, “Hmm... Nice... Very tacky. But the problem is, it seems a little too... Hmm, how should I say it—oh, I don't know—CUTE!!! It just... doesn't really go with my whole "big bad powerful storm emperor guy" thing! Well... get ready to deliver the punchline, Tempest, because this has gotta go!”

The Storm King banged his staff on the ground and then the floor lit up, until the princesses’s magic was being drained into the crystal of the staff. Twilight kept struggling while her magic was now being drained, “No!”

The Storm King maniacally laughed in excitement, “Check out the light show! Wow! Wow!” Twilight gasped, and then fainted. “Let's get this storm started! Ooh, hey, that's good. I should trademark that,” The Storm King said. Thomas suddenly and quietly went to Twilight’s cage and tried to set her free. Tempest suddenly saw him trying to free him, but the Storm King charged up his staff and blasted the wall open, as it sent Twilight and Thomas flying.

“Not bad. Actually, kinda first rate. What else does it do?” The Storm King asked while looking at the crystal on the staff. “Your Excellency, you promised to restore my horn and give me—“ The Storm King then paused Tempest, “Deh-deh-deh-deh-deh, okay. Hang on.” The Storm King then saw Thomas being held hostage by a storm creature guard. “Well, the little nephew, I presume?”

Thomas?! Sweetie, what are you doing here?!” Twilight asked. “Quiet!” Tempest said. The Storm King then grabbed Thomas, and then looked at Tempest. “I thought he might be of use to you,” Tempest said. The Storm King looked at him, then shrugged, “Nah!” He then tossed him, and swung the staff and struck him like a baseball. “Nothing personal!”

“YOU MONSTER! How dare you pick on a little kid?!” Twilight said angrily. “Ah, he wasn’t worth my time. He’ll be fine... or will he?” The Storm King said.