102 years after Lunar Lock Mirror restoration

Princess Twilight Sparkle thought she felt her heart stop. She was almost certain of it. She could not believe what her ears had registered. If it was a jest, it was a terribly timed one. However, having known the pony before her, currently bowed so deep that her head was nearly touching the scarred stone of the still damaged throne room, there was little to no doubt what had just been said was real and not a joke or prank.

“T-Tempest,” Twilight felt her voice hitch. She was tired and stressed, they all were. Now she felt as if her nerves and emotions were holding on by a thread, “please, reconsider.”

“I don’t want to do this, Your Highness, but I have to put your needs first. You need a captain that is capable of doing the job of being the best Solar Guard and all that title entails. I… I am not that pony any longer.” Tempest Fury raised her eyes for a moment, her broken stub horn shot a few jade green sparks and she winced. The bandages from that morning had already burned away as they had every time she or someone else had wrapped the damaged appendage. She had to take several deep breaths to regain control of her damaged mana flow. It grew more frustrating each time which in turn let to more surges. Twilight took two steps down from the dais, but the vermilion unicorn held up a hoof to halt her. “Please stay back. I don’t want to hurt you too.”

“Tempest, I can help you. I have dealt with broken horns before and I am not some delicate flower. A few surges are not going to hurt me.”

“But they hurt me!” shouted the guard, tears about to spill forth, but she fought them back. “And they have hurt my husband who helps wrap my horn and the doctors who try to help me with control and, and, and…. I shocked my son! He just wanted a HUG! I can’t hug my beautiful colt or hold my foal without hurting them! I AM BROKEN!”

The words echoed for a second. The workers who were fixing the walls of the throne room all stopped momentarily before continuing. No doubt this gossip would spread in a matter of hours. Such bad news on top of everything else horrible in the wake of the horrific battle that the Red Clover had wrought upon them would only worsen the morale and situation as a whole. Twilight took her own deep breath and straightened her posture. She had to play her role for now and that meant being more princess than friend. That fact made her stomach twist into bile filled knots.

“I will not accept your resignation at this time, captain. It has been less than a week and you were horrifically injured to an extent that neither myself, Princess Sunset Shimmer, or any other medical professionals completely understand. You need time to heal before you make such a rash decision.”

“I… I can’t get that witch’s voice out of head. I can still see her eyes, the moment she bent backwards and disintegrated my horn. I can still FEEL that pain. And that was NOTHING compared to…” Twilight felt her heart break and could hold back no longer. She flapped her wings and landed before her captain and cherished friend. Pulling her out of the deep bow and up into her chest, forelegs and wings wrapped tightly around the veteran guard. Finally, a few tears could no longer be held back and Tempest cried. Her tears splashed across Twilight’s peytral. Joined by the princess’s own trailing down her face to splash to the ground.

“I’m here for you. We all are. You are one of the strongest ponies I have ever known, Tempest Fury. But even the mighty Applejack had to ask for help from time to time. And so did Tempest Shadow.”

Tempest tensed for a moment before settling into the contact once more. Her great grandmother had always been her idol. Even more than the princess before her. A mare of incredible strength, resilience, and combat prowess. What would she think of the pony that carried her namesake now?

Probably nothing good.

* * * * *

Tempest opened to door to her home and closed it gently behind her. Twilight had refused her resignation. After several moments to pull herself together, the guard captain had saluted and retreated first to her guard barracks office to file more paperwork. Mostly inventory audits and modified rotation schedules. The busy work had involved far too much staring off into space, but had helped settle her outward emotions. She then passed on what she could to the first lieutenant she could find and retreated home. Thankfully, they did not question.

However, home offered no additional comfort. She could not fall apart here either. Not with her family in the other room. Their home, small compared to that of noble family estates, but spacious by most Canterlot standards, had survived the street fighting nearly unscathed. There was some minor damage outside and two of the bushes her husband had planted had been burned to blackened twigs. Likely by a random magic bolt and not deliberate given how minor it had all been.

Despite how gently she had closed the door, Fog Gauge had heard her enter. Bat pony ears did not miss much, by design. It was not long before the Lunar Captain would have to leave to begin his own duties, his armor already cinched into place and helmet near the door, ready and waiting for him. Tempest stared at the polished blued ferronite helm with the faux webbed crest. Her own helmet sat next to his, but she had not worn it in days. It caused her too much pain when a surge struck. She found that out the hard way.

Fog Gauge entered the living room, serpent like yellow eyes seeking out those jade orbs that he loved to stare into. But she refused to meet his gaze, eyes downcast and a sour twist to her face that said all he needed to know about her current mood. Something they could no longer shelve for the sake of their relationship both personal and professional. “Saber is reading to his sister. That gives us a few minutes if you wish to speak befor-”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Tempest said with all the love and compassion of blunt force trauma. “I offered my resignation, she refused. Told me I needed time to heal and to think about it before I do something I’ll regret.”

“She is just worried. As we all are.”

Tempest growled and kicked at the floorboard, scuffing them. “The only reason I didn’t just throw down my standards and march out of that damn hall is because of what it would have done to my guards if they had seen me do it. And trust me, I REALLY wanted to do it. Especially after shamefully crying into Twilight’s chest fur right in front of all the damn construction workers no less!”

Guage stepped forward to hug his wife when her horn began to spark. She growled and gnashed her teeth to get the latest surge under control. The once clean painted walls of yellows and blues with soft trim throughout their home now had several black scorch marks from mana surge bolts. Fog Gauge took a step back again, but not out of fear. Because he knew from the last time if he just let himself be shocked to show his commitment to her that only upset Tempest even more making it that much harder for his wife to regain control.

“Dammit!”

“Breathe, my love.”

A stray bolt struck the wall near the kitchen and Tempest screwed her eyes shut tighter until the sparks finally subsided. The unicorn was breathing hard and shaking as if she had just run a marathon in full armor. Fog Gauge did not spare the mark a glance. It could be cleaned just like the others could, just like the small bolt blasts that their son had caused when he was learning to control his own surges. Tempest, however, was distraught. Eyes red and puffy, tears on the brink of spilling forth.

“I told you we should have just nailed that bucking inhibitor ring to my head!”

“I refused and still refuse,” Gauge said sharply without raising his voice. “They are for foals who do not know better and criminals that need to be restrained. You will regain your control with time. I know you will.”

“Fine, great. In the meantime, I can’t do my job right, I scare citizens when I walk down the street, and I’m a huge risk to the safety and health of my family because I keep electrocuting them! I don’t have time to regain control! I might set the house on fire! My great grand had to practice for YEARS to learn to re-channel her mana pathways in a manner of control and even she still had dangerous spark surges I’m told. How am I supposed to be Captain of the Solar Guard if I am a risk to all those around me?!”

Fog remained where he was, but his eyes never left his wife, waiting for her ragged breaths to calm. He had to call upon his own harsh discipline to fight down his desire to wrap her in his forelegs and wings. “The house can be fixed, your guards have only the utmost respect for you, and your friends and family love you. We will get through this together. Trust us.”

“I don’t trust myself.” It was said at barely more than a whisper, but it might as well had been screamed into his fluffy bat ear. The silence lingered until the sound of small hoofsteps caused his ear to turn to the direction of the hallway.

“Daddy, I finished reading. Come say goodnight to us, please.”

Fog took two steps and turned back to his wife. “Are you coming?” She shook her head. Yellow eyes closed briefly before he finally nodded and moved to say goodnight. Fog knew he would have to leave soon after to assume his duties for the night. He could send word that he was staying in with his family. He could pass on his orders to capable lieutenants. They would understand. Princess Sunset would most certainly understand.

When the bat pony returned to the living room to suggest the idea to his wife he found it empty. A quick inspection of their bedroom revealed Tempest Fury on the bed, curled up hugging a pillow to her chest, clear as day to his night vision. “You should eat something. I could stay and fix a favorite of yours.”

“Just go do your duty, captain.”

“Tempest.”

“I… just need to be alone right now. I can hear them if they need me, but I… just go.”

“As you wish.” Gauge paused. “I love you.”

There was a longer pause than he would have liked before she finally whispered, “Thank you.”

He closed the door most of the way, leaving it open enough in case she needed to check on their children. Thankfully, Dusk Wind was sleeping mostly through the night now. Fog wanted to stay despite her wishes. Wanted to be there for his wife, but in her current state it would not help and truthfully, the entire guard both solar and lunar needed a captain to keep up morale. Duty to the princesses and to Equestria had never hurt so much as it did in that moment.

* * * * *

Tempest Fury did not recognize the ground beneath her hooves. It was rock, she was mostly certain of that, but it was a dark color, almost black. It reminded her of pictures she had seen of volcanic islands or formations in the Dragon Lands. There were buildings, old cottages made of wood and plaster with straw roofs. Again, it felt familiar, but at the same time not recognizable. Had she been deployed? Where was everypony?

No, I did a tour on the Long-Range Patrol. I would recognize even a dinky border town like this. Something is not right.

She then looked down at herself and found that she was in regular guard armor and not her captain’s gear. Out of curiosity, Tempest reached up and found that her horn was still missing. The hoof guard came in contact with the scorched stub and broken appendage sparked, sending a painful jolt down her foreleg that she had to shake out and caused a yelp.

Then where in the depths of Tartarus am I?

A scream, high pitched and likely from a female caused Tempest’s ears to fold back and she instinctively ran in the direction she had thought the shrill noise had originated from. It was then that she noticed that these buildings were in terrible shape. Many had burns, blast holes, some were even still burning. Obvious signs of battle damage that she should have noticed earlier. But nothing about any of this was making any sense. In fact, all her senses felt dulled and off. The unicorn came to a skidding stop as a body of a pony was tossed to the ground from a rooftop. The guard uniform was charred and mangled and the guard within convulsed a few times before falling still. Fury was the second part of her name for a reason as anger and resolve coursed through her veins and mana channels. As her horn sparked, Tempest looked up to where the guard had been cast down from and found a dark figure standing on what remained of a roof rafters.

“Nice of you to show up, captain. Too bad all your soldiers are already dead,” said the assailant. The voice was dark and husky, but certainly female. It did not matter. Male, female, pony, griffon, dragon, all Tempest knew was that some creature had attacked her guards and they were going to pay for it. Without hesitating or concern for the pain it would cause, Tempest Fury unleashed a torrent of energy. The bolts of blue-green lightning zig zagged and arched across the sky towards her target. A target that jumped over the blasts with grace and practiced skill. There was the distinctive sound of metal covered hooves landing on stone, ember sparks lighting the night briefly. Close combat instincts activated as an armored hoof came sailing for her head. While she felt sluggish, Tempest was able to block the strike, but only just barely. The powerful leg was caught in her own grip and drove her off balance.

“Too slow.”

The guard moved to recover only for another hoof to follow up and strike her exposed abdomen. Tempest doubled over as her breath was driven from her body and another hoof came up and under her chin. Her head snapped back and the strap on her helmet broke. Sending the item flying off into the distance. The unicorn landed on her back and rolled over, sliding away just as a powerful stomp would have crushed down on her head. Tempest spat blood from her mouth and was certain some of her teeth were cracked or broken. A problem for later.

“Good. I like to see a little fight in an enemy. It makes things more interesting.”

“No pony kills my guards and walks away alive.”

There was something familiar about the other mare even in shadowed silhouette. She was tall, as tall as Tempest was. She was clearly powerful and athletic and her black armor was menacing. Her fur color was difficult to see in the darkness but her mane seemed to stand up and…

Wait… is that a… broken horn?!

Lightning shot from a stubby horn and Tempest Fury quickly threw up a makeshift shield that deflected some of the bolts but not all of them. In the flashing light, Tempest found herself looking into cold, merciless jade colored eyes.

“G-Great grand?!”

The mulberry assailant stepped left then right and twisted to hind leg kick Tempest Fury, her attack connecting at the shoulder and sending the guard flying. She knew her left scapula had fractured under the now dented and broken armor before she had landed and rolled badly. Tempest Fury screamed in agony.

“You call yourself a captain? You think you are worthy of that title and all the responsibility that comes with it?! I led the expeditionary forces of the Storm King and conquered and enslaved nations! I’ve fought princesses and brought all of Equestria to its knees! There is a trail of bodies behind me long enough to pave roads with their skulls if I so wished it! What makes you think you are worthy of MY name and MY legacy?! If this is the best you have after taking a little beating then do yourself a favor and just fall on your sword and be done with it.”

Tempest Shadow fired another bolt and knocked her descendant off her hooves and back again.

“You’re pathetic. You get your horn broken by a little baddie and now boo-hoo poor me. Typical crybaby pony.”

Tempest Fury struggled to her hooves and growled at the pain. Her horn began to spark violently, casting her snarling face in long shadows. “It… It wasn’t just my horn. She ripped out my soul!”

Tempest Fury's lighting arced forward and the red headed mare simply batted the blast away with her ferronite armored hoof guard. “Yeah, yeah I bet that hurt. Big deal. But how about being stabbed multiple times by filthy stone spears that break off in your flesh and fester? Or an ursa claw to the face? Or dragon claws to the back over and over again while the monster rapes you and all every other creature does is stand by and gawk and laugh?! You want to talk pain of the body? Pain of the SOUL?! How about wishing you were dead just to silence the screaming in your head, but then they won’t let you die!”

“I should be DEAD! I deserve to be dead! I've lost so many good solider under my command and I remember every damn one of their names! None of them would have died if I had been doing my job better!”

Tempest Shadow dodged another bolt then quickly swept out Tempest Fury’s legs. Pressing down an armored hoof on the broken shoulder, her horn began to crackle with power. “You wanna die so badly? I’ll grant you that mercy. Better than to live a pathetic excuse for a life where every parentless foal looks at you like it’s your fault that mommy and daddy are dead or maimed. Because it is! A real commander accepts those burdens and hardens their heart to such softness. You don't deserve to live.”

Tempest Fury closed her eyes. Hoping, praying the deathblow would at least be quick.

A smashing sound caught the captain’s attention and one of the buildings exploded to pieces. Standing in the smoke and dust clouds was a tall, goldenrod alicorn with a fiery mane that flickered about angrily, adorn in black and gold armor, horn glowing bright red.

“HEY, MOHAWK!”

Tempest Shadow turned to respond only to be met face first with an armored hoof. The fallen guard watched in awe and horror as her beloved ancestor disintegrated to a cloud of black ash with little more than a poof sound. Moments later, the town vanished and Tempest Fury found herself laying on what felt like soft, wet mud. Was it raining all the sudden, she thought. Had it always been raining?

“Sunset Shimmer?”

The alicorn princess looked up at the clouds and sighed at the sudden rain before shaking her head and extending her hoof to help the unicorn back to her hooves. Upon quick inspection Tempest found that her armor was no longer shattered nor were her bones. The guard captain could no longer taste blood in her mouth and if she had a mirror, surmised that her cuts and bruises were likely gone as well.

“What is go-”

“Do you realize how FUCKING hard it is to get into somepony’s nightmare when they will NOT let you in?! It’s like trying to save you from a burning building only you intentionally locked all the doors just to be safe and they are made of metal.”

“Nightmare… so… this is a dream then?”

“Nightmare,” Sunset reiterated, still glancing back and forth in the surrounding cloudy darkness. “I don’t bother ponies in their nice dreams or peek in on them. Aunt Luna always said that was a privacy violation. Though I’m sure she peeked in a few times because it was her.”

“But… wait, what happened to my Great Grand? Did you kill her?”

“Hmm? Oh, that shadow that was kicking your flank? Nah. That wasn’t your relative. That was your own dark subconscious thoughts taken solid form. Thankfully not an invasive emotophage monster or shade manifestation. Just you kicking your own tail. Both figuratively and literally.”

“Why are you even in… where are we anyway?”

“We’re in your mind, Tempest.”

Tempest Fury glanced about at the bleak nothingness and then up at the rain clouds that were pressing down on them with a continued steady torrent. “Why is it so damn… dark and wet? Can’t you make this stop?”

“This is your mind, captain. You are the one causing this. You want it to stop you tell it to stop. But if I had to guess it’s because you are still hurting. You know, crying on the inside.” Tempest flashed a sour expression as if she had just bit into bad piece of fruit. “Don’t look at me like that, it’s a legitimate hypothesis! Look, I'm still new at doing this on my own. In the past I always had Luna to help with this sort of stuff. Truth be told it was usually her taking the lead and me just doing clean up. But now I’ve been running my rump off from nightmare to nightmare for almost a week and it is freaking exhausting.”

Tempest focused and the rain stopped as suddenly as it had begun. Their wet manes and fur drying almost instantly. She glanced down and found their once muddy hooves clean as each step still rippled the ground as if they were standing on shallow puddles stretching in all directions. It was all still far too bleak and Tempest did not like what that said about her current mental state. Assuming Sunset Shimmer knew what she was talking about on this particular matter, which was a fifty-fifty on the best of days. Tempest let that thought and snide remark slide away. “I didn’t ask you to come here. This is my problem. I can handle this on my own.”

“No, you didn’t ask.”

“Then why did you c-”

“Twilight asked.”

“Of course she did.”

“Your husband asked.”

Tempest sighed, “Dammit, Fog.”

“Isabella asked.”

Tempest arched a brow. "Seriously?"

“Flurry Heart asked. Some of your lieutenants asked. The head cook for the guard mess hall asked. You know, that one with the handlebar mustache? Yeah, he asked. Hell’s Bells, even Raven asked and she had no idea what she was even asking, but she is programmed to notice self destructive behavioral tendencies and has volumes of psychological data on how to recognize and diagnose concerned states of mental well being. Such as PTSD, major mental breakdowns, or suicidal thoughts and actions.”

“Oh, go suck a yak dick. I’m not suicidal.”

Sunset wanted to smile at the heated quip, but she had a role to play and a friend who needed perspective. “Oh really? So, I just imagined it that a second ago your very dead great grandmother was about to stomp you into sidewalk paste?”

“It wasn’t real. You said so yourself.”

“Just because it was only in your head doesn’t mean it wasn’t real. It was real to you. You were beating yourself up and letting it happen because you wanted to be self destructive. You’re mad at yourself for any number of reasons and feel like you have no control over your life right now. You're not the first pony to blame yourself for everything bad that's happening even when it's not your fault.”

Tempest growled, kicking water at Sunset though it didn’t seem to have the desired effect. Simply cascading down her armored covered legs back into the pools bellow. The lunar princess just arched a brow and tilted her head slightly to the left. Her lack of reaction only frustrated the unicorn more. “I didn’t ask you to come into my mind and I certainly didn’t ask for your input into my mental state. You are not a doctor and even if you were I have nothing to say to you on this so just leave!”

Instead of honoring her wishes, Sunset Shimmer instead took a seat and tapped on her chin as if in deep contemplation. Tempest snarled and let loose her frustrations in an unrestrained energy blast. Much like her fight with her manifested great grandmother, Sunset just raised and armored hoof and deflected the blast to the ground.

“Damn ferronite.”

Sunset glanced down as her black and gold hoof guard. “Not really. I’m just a projection of my true self here and I just tell myself what can and cannot work. You probably can’t hurt me like this… Although, that does give me an idea.”

Tempest arched a brow. “An idea. You?”

“Yeah.”

“I already don’t like this.”

Sunset allowed herself to smirk confidently. “I think you will. I’ll see you real soon.”

Before Tempest Fury could comment the goldenrod princess vanished in a flash similar to a teleport. The world around her began to blur and fade then, moments later, she heard a knocking. Was someone at the door?

Tempest blinked several times and realized she was in her bed, the sheets and blankets tossed about as if there had been a violent wrestling match upon then mattress. What next caught her attention was the newest black scorch mark on the headboard that smelled of fresh burnt wood. She touched it gingerly and felt a slight residual heat through her hoof. Then came the insistent knocking once again. The sound was strong, likely an armored hoof. The kind that would wake her foals if not dealt with.

Tempest dragged herself out of bed and to the door. She pulled the door open to find a lunar guard mare standing there at attention. The guard saluted a moment later. “Good evening, captain. I received orders from Her Highness to stand watch over your home and foals while you have been summoned to the armory.”

Tempest blinked twice, her horn sparking twice as well. The guard held her salute, waiting for it to be acknowledged. A moment later, Tempest’s exhausted brain kicked back into operation. She quickly returned the salute and also recognized the unicorn thestral standing before her.

“Sergeant Whisper Gale. I am not aware of any such orders.”

“The orders were just issued to me directly from Her Highness, Princess Sunset Shimmer. I am to guard your home and foals and attend to any of their needs while you are to meet the princess at the armory as soon as you are able, captain.”

Tempest glanced back at the rooms where her foals were sleeping then past the guard still standing at her door. Her horn began to spark once more as her agitation spiked. “What is she up to?”

“I did not question. I simply took my orders and moved to carry them out to the best of my ability, ma’am. Everything will be just as it is now. While I have no foals of my own, I did help raise my kid brother. I assure you on my word and by the honor of my princess that they are in capable hooves.”

With nothing else to add, Tempest returned to her room and quickly reassembled her armor before informing Sergeant Gale of a few things she may need if the children wake up while she is away. The thestral unicorn saluted once more before taking up a sitting position near the hallway. Tempest considered telling the other mare she could sit on the furniture but dismissed the thought and closed the door behind her.

Tempest made for the guard armory at a steady jog pace, her eyes constantly scanning the surroundings as instinct demanded. While much of the damage to the city from Datura’s attack had been cleaned and cleared, there were still many creatures who still bore dark lined circles under their eyes. While the night life was open for business only a fraction of the previous crowds were taking part. Most of their movements cautious and hesitant to fully relax in case another disaster was to come wreaking havoc so soon. Tempest found it all frustrating and her displeasure caused her horn to spark again, sending a jolt of pain through her nerves as she fought to suppress it again.

"Damn you, Shimmer, for making me come out running around at this time of night." A few onlookers moved as if to assist or at least ask if Tempest needed help. but one cutting glare from the unicorn made them changer their minds. A few minutes later Tempest had regained enough mana control to continue her journey.

The guards at the barrack's entrance saluted the solar captain and she quickly returned it. They did not question why she was arriving after the sun was set. Perhaps they knew or assumed it was not their concern. Rank had its privileges alongside responsibilities. Once at the armory, two more lunar guards saluted and opened the door for Tempest without question.

“Her Highness is expecting you.”

Tempest nodded and continued inside. She did not have to travel far before she found Sunset Shimmer, partially inside a large wooden crate. A crate that Tempest Fury immediately recognized, causing her anger to spike and horn stub to spark wildly again.

Sunset stood up and smiled. “Ah, good. You’re here.”

“What do you think you are doing?” Tempest snapped. “That’s my Great Grand’s stuff! You can’t just go around sticking your nose in other pony’s personal spaces.”

Sunset Shimmer arched a brow and smirked. “Uh, actually, I’ve got this piece of metal on my head with a crescent moon on it that says I can.”

“You know what I mean! Even princesses have rules they have to abide. That’s a gross violation of privacy!”

Sunset glanced down at the woven sash she had over her chest plate armor. “How about it, Raven? Did you find anything in all the Equestrian law you have read that says I can’t go where I want and do what I want?”

“Frankly, I find that Equestria is ripe for an evil overlord conquest. With only the barest of exceptions they centralize far too much of the political and military power to only two beings with very little oversight or accountability. Even their advisory council can easily be executed and or dismissed at the wave of a wing or hoof.”

Tempest glared at the tiny camera eye that was poking out the top of the sash pouch. She knew the advanced technological device known as a PAAL could see her displeased expression. She was far too mentally drained to get into a drawn-out political argument with the sentient artificial intelligence. With a frustrated sigh she growled, “Just get the point of all this.”

“Absolutely, but first.” Sunset pulled out a golden circlet battle helm and tossed it to the unicorn. Tempest tried to grab it at first with her telekinesis, but had to quickly switch to her hooves when her horn sputtered and shot another wave of pain through her head and neck. Tempest knew exactly what the helm was and silently cursed herself for not thinking of it earlier. “It finally hit you, right? That’s how it was for me. After seeing that manifestation in your nightmare, I remembered when you and I came in here a few years ago and dug that thing out the first time. You told me that because of your great grandmother’s broken horn she had a set of armor custom crafted to help with precision spell control and to channel those mana surges into storage gems. Now I don’t know if you want to use the whole set given its condition, but I do know the battle helm will definitely help. So, go ahead and put it on.”

Tempest held the circlet in her hooves. The armor had been crafted from an alloy mix of ferronite, steel, and gold and was adorn in the center, just below the horn hole and above the nose bridge, with an expensive and valuable fire ruby that had been enchanted to store massive amounts of surge mana that could also be drawn upon for offensive or defensive spells. Tempest silent cursed her exhaustion and state of detachment that it had not occurred to her first to seek out the useful heirloom that was still quite functional.

With only a slight hesitation, Tempest slid the helm in place and was pleased that it fit with only a minor need of adjustment to the clasp at the back. Almost instantaneously, the throbbing headaches she had been suffering through vanished and her entire body felt cooler and more relaxed. Tempest knew that she was not suddenly cured and that there was still plenty of rehabilitation in her future, but at least her head did not feel like it was being split in two by a dull axe.

“Looks like the gem is still working. That’s good, I was afraid I might have cracked it last time. I know I damaged some of the body armor in my fight against Aethon. I said sorry about that, right?”

“Yeah, you did. More than once. I’ve worked with the armorers from time to time trying to restore the plates, but it's slow going. It hasn’t been a priority. Still isn’t, not really.” Tempest sighed and took a moment to rub the bridge of her muzzle. “Look, I appreciate what you are trying to do and thank you for fishing this out because I had honestly forgotten about it. But in the grand scheme it changes nothing. I know what I have to do.”

“Twilight needs a captain. More than that, she needs her friend.”

“I’ll always be her friend. But I… I can’t be her captain. Not as broken as I am.”

Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes. “You’re not broken, Tempest. You just need time.”

“Yeah, that’s what everypony keeps telling me, but none of you are listening to a damn thing I am saying. A captain needs to be the best at every aspect of their job and I am not the best anymore. Not likely to ever be again. So, you and Raven can stop playing lawn chair psychologist and get it through both your stubborn skulls that I am at the end of my career. I don’t want to or need to talk it out or discuss my feelings on it or need a shoulder to cry on because my mother didn't hug me enough or whatever.”

Tempest took Sunset’s silence as an end of the conversation and turned to leave. It was then that she felt something poke her sharply in the flank at the armor gaps. Tempest turned to find a sparring staff floating in a red telekinetic field. Her annoyed glare at the oversized stick traveled upward to the pony casting the spell.

“Really?”

“You’re right. Talking things out with you in a traditional setting won’t work. You’re too damn stubborn. So, we’re going to work through your problems like Qunari.”

Tempest Fury arched a brow. “What’s a Qunari?”

Sunset waved her hoof back and forth. “They’re fictional, but honestly a lot like minotaurs in size and temperament. Ultimately not important. What IS important is that Doctor Sunset says therapy is still in session and we are working through it with sticks.”

“I would not trust the credentials of this doctor,” quipped Raven. “I believe she is a fake.”

Tempest glanced back down at the staff. “Are you seriously going to try and convince me I’m making some sort of grave mistake and change my mind by poking me with a staff?”

“Not poking.” Sunset spun the staff up, over, and around to smack Tempest on her other flank. The unicorn yelped in surprise. Her molten glower would have frightened any recruit and her sparking horn stub would have brought pause to any creature with a sense of self preservation. Sunset Shimmer however, simply grinned.

“Don’t do this, Shimmer. I’m warning you. I already laid you out in that video game we played back in the other world and that was me just having fun. You try to make me angry and duel me I might end up doing something that would be grounds for my arrest for attempted murder.”

Despite the warning, Sunset simply chuckled. “If it helps you see your worth then go for it. I’ve fought bigger, badder, and got plenty of scars to prove it. If you don’t want me to keep whacking you with a stick then you better grab one of your own and fight back because this is happening.”

“You’re not even doing it right. We don’t use magic when we spar with staves. Guard spars go by earth pony rules.”

“Meh, I say unicorn rules.”

Tempest growled. “Oh, for the love of… you’re just trying to make me use my horn.”

“I’m trying to do a lot of things, but yeah, that is one of them.” Sunset flicked her horn and Tempest tried to dodge, but the stick still caught her side sending a quick jolt of pain down her leg.

“Dammit, Sunset!” she snarled, grabbing her own staff within a shaky telekinetic aura.

“Congratulations, I believe she is sufficiently motivated to strike you now.”

Sunset glanced down at Raven. “Ohhhhh, yeah.”

“Have I ever told you that you are an insufferable pain in the rear?”

Sunset shrugged and grinned as she began to press her attack, forcing Tempest back towards the armory entrance door. “Maybe, but I get shit done.”

“What are you even trying to prove right now? Look, I’m hold the staff in my magic, whoopie. My control is pitiful, my movements are sluggish, and I am half a step away from going completely ballistic and bashing your skull in! None of this is right and you are not helping!”

Sunset pressed her advance again, forcing Tempest out of the armory and into the barracks courtyard. At this particular hour there were only bat ponies about and while some took a moment to turn their heads at the unexpected commotion most were too disciplined to gawk and stare once they realized one of the ponies fighting was their night princess. Tempest had to admit, once again, how impressed she was in their dedication to their duty.

“See, I know you won’t believe me, but I really don’t like being mean,” said Sunset spinning her staff in her magic, trying to find an opening to strike her opponent again. “But I’ve learned over the years that you can’t use all the same techniques when dealing with different personalities. For instance, with Twilight I can let my guard down and be completely honest and blunt because there is nothing I can say or do that she has not already see. I mean, she has seen me at my WORST. For others, I might have to use small words or use Celestia style diplomacy. But for you, Tempest Fury. You are a guard, a soldier, and you respond best to violence. Which I know sounds weird and totally not the pony way, but hey, I’m weird too so it works.”

“And again, what are you trying to prove? That if you get me mad enough that I’ll ‘see the light’ and not step down as captain? That if I can take you in a fight that I’m still the best?”

“If that’s what it takes for you to find your confidence again, sure. Because whether you are captain or not I will NOT let you slip into despair. I care about you and your husband and your little ones too much to let that happen.”

Tempest lowered her guard a moment, caught on the words. “What?”

Sunset shot the ground with a horn blast while seizing the sparring staff in her hooves. She spun it around and under like a side arm golf swing, catching Tempest across her right foreleg at the unprotected joint. The guard captain jumped back and snarled. Sunset did not wait. She took the staff in her magic once more and swung downward again. However, Tempest was faster. Tempest Fury parried and shrugged the other staff away. She growled and faked a strike to the left only to step right, spin, and fire a bolt at Sunset’s side. She knew the armor would deflect the blast, but that was the point.

Sunset stumbled a bit from the concussion and smiled at the attack. However, her eyes went wide a moment later when she lost track of her opponent’s staff.

“Wait, where did-”

Tempest caught the staff she had thrown into the air and spun it around her body at blurring speed, striking Sunset across the face with the hardest blow she could muster. Hard enough to shatter the staff and send blood flying from Sunset Shimmer’s nose and mouth. The alicorn princess dropped her staff and staggered about for a second before spitting out what Tempest could only guess was a broken tooth. Her eyes locked on the small object and the fresh blood staining the soil around it. Somehow vibrant in the overhead moonlight. The sweet satisfaction of a solid hit suddenly became a panicked chill down her spine to the tips of her hooves.

Oh… shit. I just broke Sunset Shimmer’s face! I just drew blood of a Diarch of Equestria… and she is supposed to be getting married next moon! I am so dead. Twilight is going to kill me.

“Oh, my GODDESS! OH… Oh, BUCK! Sunset? Are you…” Tempest was about to scream to the surrounding guards on station for a medic when, much to her surprise, her opponent began to chuckle.

“Damn. That was a good hit.” To Tempest Fury’s confused horror, the night princess smiled, her tongue prodding the gap in her teeth while blood continued to drip from her mouth and nose. “And here you thought you were getting slow.”

“You lunatic! This is no time for jokes! You need a medic or a doctor! Pits of Tartatus, Shimmer, I wrecked your face and you are going to be getting wedding photos done soon! What is wrong with you?! What is wrong with me?! I just assaulted a princess! Twilight is going to kill me assuming my husband and the rest of the thestrals don’t try to first!”

“Breathe, Tempest. I ordered them to stand back and do nothing.” Sunset prodded her nose a bit only to wince as more blood dripped out in a long stream.

“Gah! Stop that!”

“It’ll be fine, I can heal this.”

“You lost a tooth! I knocked out the tooth of a princess! This is not a small thing!”

“They have magic for that too. Alchemic potions work better than magic as far as regenerations, so I’ll get that one later. The bruising and swelling might take a day or two to settle though.”

“I just… I… WHY?!”

“To prove my point.”

“WHAT POINT?! What was the point to any of this?! That you are certifiably crazy?! News flash! We already knew that!”

Sunset fixed her crooked nose with a sickening crunch before applying healing magic to stem the bleeding and dull the pain. “That it is okay to be a little broken. Broken is not dead. Broken means we can still function. We can still help others and ourselves.”

“Is… is that what you meant by ‘captain or not?’ I thought this was all about me wanting to resign?”

“Obviously neither Twilight nor I want you to resign, but that is not my main concern. I just don’t want you to spiral down the drain of self doubt and pity and eventually to regret or worse. I’ve been there. I sometimes still find myself fighting to not fall off that ledge. Just ask Raven, she’s seen it.”

“She is quite self destructive. I could tell you stories. Oh, wait, never mind. You are experiencing one,” said the PAAL in a flat, clearly annoyed tone.

“Obviously,” Tempest said with exasperation.

“Yes, yes, I’m crazy and uncouth sometimes. Heh, finally go to use that word in a sentence,” said Sunset with a laugh and a wince. “I’m unconventional about a lot of things, but dammit, at the end of the day and through the night I care. And I will do anything for the ponies or creatures I care about. I will die on that hill. As the saying goes.

"You have value, Tempest Fury. Whether you stay a guard or you find another purpose to apply your talents to just know that no matter what you have friends who will not let you fall. We love you.”

Tempest brushed back the loose strands of her mane that had fallen about, hoof hesitating on the battle helm that was still upon her head. It fit well, snug and comfortable. It still had purpose. It still had function. Though the rest of the captain’s dress armor that had once been crafted for Tempest Shadow was broken, the helm still worked and it even looked good while doing so. For the briefest moment, Tempest thought she felt another hoof on her shoulder and wondered if she were to look would she see the smiling ghosts of her her parents and of Tempest Shadow herself?

“You… You’ve given me some things to think about. But I’m not going to make a decision tonight. But…” Tempest sighed, letting out a long breath. “I’m sorry for my behavior. It was unbecoming of a guard, especially a captain. And, you know, sorry for bloodying your nose.”

Sunset Shimmer chuckled a bit. “Don’t worry about it. I promise it was my fault and no pony will blame you. Especially not Twilight. Thanks for coming out tonight even though I know you didn’t want to. You can go ahead and head home. I’ll clean up here and deal with squashing any rumors and whatnot.”

Tired, frazzled, and more than a little confused, Tempest saluted and then bowed politely before making her way home without so much as a peep to the guards or citizens she passed along the way. She quietly thanked and dismissed Whisper Gale, who may or may not have complimented the circlet battle helm. Tempest was not entirely sure. She quietly checked in on her foals, carefully planting small kisses on their cheeks, thankful that the helm was regulating her surges well enough that she could do so without fear of scaring or hurting them. Minutes later, Tempest Fury fell fast asleep without a single nightmare.

Captain Fog Gauge of the Lunar Guard had returned to the barracks later that night after completing his inspections of the city perimeter and the surrounding outposts to find it unusually lively. Lunar guards were not known for gossip or on duty distractions of any sort, but they seemed unusally abuzz. A quick inspection of the grounds found everything in order and guards at their posts. There were some new markings on the ground not far from the armory and the faint hint of burnt ozone that often accompanied the use of high energy magic, but that could have been from the Solar Guard since he had not passed by the armory earlier.

The entire evening had been routine if a bit unusual. A sudden request by Princess Sunset Shimmer came not long after dusk for him to personally conduct the routine inspection despite it already being scheduled for later in the week. Odd, but not terribly so. Then, there were delays by his guards to keep him away from the city such as couriers requesting his time on things that could easily be handled by lieutenants or sergeants. That was odd at best. But finding even one of his guards smiling, joking, breaking discipline while on duty was quite suspicious. Finding more than one was unheard of. When asked what was going on every bat pony stated all was well. Gauge concluded he would have to run each of the companies through rigorous drills over the next few nights just to remind them of what was expected and what their night mistress had taught them.

It was nearly dawn and Twilight Sparkle would be guiding the sun above the horizon soon as their princess guided the moon to rest. Shift change was usually seamless. This morning was turning out to be anything but normal.

Gauge heard the hoofsteps approaching even before the knocking came on his office door. He had thankfully just finished his report on the inspection and would pass that along to a castle attendant or Sunset herself. However, thoughts of the evening occurrences were completely forgotten when he found his wife, Captain Tempest Fury, standing before him in her officer's dress uniform instead of her armor, except for the golden circlet helm that was now upon her head.

“Good morning,” said Gauge with a hesitation to his voice. “Is there something I should be made aware of?”

“There are several things you probably need to be made aware of, captain.” Tempest gestured with her head towards the exit. “Walk with me. We are going to go see the princesses before Isabella or some damn dignitary whisk them away.”

“Very well. However, not to be rude, but what about Saber and Dusk?”

Tempest arched a brow and scowled briefly, “Do you think me so careless, Fog?”

“Of course not.”

“I notified a trustworthy guard to watch over them for a bit while I take care of something very important and I want you there with me for… I need my husband for what comes next just to know in my heart I am making the right decision.”

Gauge left his report. He could file it later. Though his curiosity was setting off bells in the back of his mind, Gauge kept his questions for when it was just the two of them. The two captains walked side by side to the castle and up the stairs towards the royal bed chamber. They only had a few minutes of privacy so the bat pony took his chance.

“Am I going to like what you are going to say to our princesses?”

Tempest glanced to her left and the fire ruby in the center of her helm began to glow slightly. If he remembered correctly from when Sunset Shimmer had worn the item before that meant it was absorbing stray power surges. A clear sign that his wife was under some level of mental stress.

“I… I thought a lot about what I need to do at this point in my life. I thought about you and our foals and also about all the other foals, fillies, and colts who have been through so much not just in this last fight, but over the years. I thought about what part I play in that and what I can do for them and, of course, for our guards.”

“And what conclusion did you come to?”

Tempest paused causing the bat pony at her side to stop as well. Then much to his surprise, she leaned forward, wrapped a hoof around the back of his helmet covered neck, and pressed her lips to his. Their helms makings a soft clink sound.
They held the passionate kiss for more than a few seconds before she finally released him. “I decided there is so much more I can do for everypony.”

Guage smiled and nodded. “Whatever your final decision, I will support you.”

“Thank you. I love you too.”

As the two captains approached the well guarded hall towards the royal suite they found the griffon, Isabella Windsong already standing outside the door. She did a brief doubletake at seeing both captains together at this hour.

“Should I be worried?” said Isabella, her crest plumage rising slightly.

“Probably not,” Tempest replied with a small smile. “We just need to speak with them for a few minutes about something important before they go about their day.”

If it had been any other ponies Isabella would have told them to make an appointment. For the captains of the guard, the rest of Canterlot could wait a few minutes longer. “Take the time you need. I will adjust things as needed.” They both nodded politely.

“Thanks, Isabella,” added Tempest.

Tempest Fury knocked politely and waited for an acknowledgment. The door opened a moment later surrounded in a magenta aura. Gauge gestured for his wife to go first and he nodded one more time to Isabella before closing the door behind him.

To neither of their surprise they found Princess Twilight Sparkle already up and moving about. Her fur still could do with a good brushing but her crown was upon her head and long indigo mane with pink stripe waving rhythmically in ethereal breeze. She smiled brightly at seeing her two friends, then paused when she realized a few minor details. Her face shifting to concern and apprehension.

“Good morning, at least I hope it is a good morning.”

Tempest glanced to her husband and smiled to calm her friend’s rising anxiety. “I think it is a good morning. Is Sunset awake? I wanted her to hear this too so I don’t have to repeat myself.”

Twilight glanced back to the bedroom. “Um,” she smiled sheepishly, “She’s wrapped up in a blanket fort. I was going to get her in a few minutes to lower the moon, but I’m sure I can get her now.

Much to Twilight’s surprise as she approached the back chamber the door opened and out stepped a disheveled goldenrod alicorn. Twilight gasped. Though it was not the unkept, well, everything that shocked her. It was the bruising all across the right side of her face and nose.

“Sweet merciful Celestia! What the heck happened to your face?!”

Fog Gauge glanced past Twilight and sucked in a breath at the sight of his princess, yellow eyes going wide. He then glaced to his wife for her reaction only to find Tempest incredibly interested in looking anywhere else. The lunar captain began to draw his own conclusions to the oddity of the evening.

“I picked a fight," Sunset finally stated plainly. "Where’s my coffee?”

“You picked a fight? With what? An Ursa Major?” exclaimed Twilight trying to examine her fiancé’s muzzle closer. Sunset squirmed and winced, gently pushing her lover’s hoof away.

“Something like that. I’ll explain later. Where’s my coffee?” Sunset’s eyes shifted to the two captains, zeroing in on hers specifically. “You know better.”

Gauge's attention returned front and center. He shrugged and smiled sheepishly before bowing his head. “I apologize, my princess. This was all very impromptu and I did not come properly prepared. I accept any and all reprimands.”

“If we could get back to why I came to see you both this early,” commented Tempest to draw the attention back to herself. The vermilion unicorn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “As you are both aware, I have been questioning my ability to lead the Solar Guard ever since our battle with Datura the Red Clover. I have been struggling with control of my magic through my broken horn as well as having to take part in physical therapy to help with regaining motor functions. As you can see, I am using my great grandmother’s old helm to help control the magical surges while my mana pathways heal. Thank you, Princess Sunset, for recommending it.”

“The least that I or Twilight could do and it was always yours to begin with.”

“Yes,” Twilight chimed in. “And if you need more, be it equipment or doctors or anything, please ask. I want you to feel comfortable on your road to recovery.”

“Thank you both. And I will keep that in mind. However, what I have to say now is in regard to my current rank and post. I think it is in my and all the guard’s best interest that I resign as captain of the Solar Guard.”

Tempest heard Gauge flap his wings and stiffen without saying a word. Twilight gasped, loudly. Sunset simply grimaced and looked away as she shook her head. A moment later Twilight recovered and had to clear her throat to speak without her voice cracking. “Tempest, you already offered me your resignation and I declined it because I felt you were submitting it far too soon. You are still recovering.”

“With all due respect, princess, I will forever be recovering. What was done to me cannot be undone. Not even by time.
The things I saw and experienced while my soul was in that bottle were... traumatic. But, before you deny me, hear me out.” Twilight paused and sat back on her haunches, gesturing for her friend to continue. “While the rank of captain was always my dream, at least since I earned my cutie mark, and it is a worthy post and I love it, I feel like I can do more. A guard captain is a leader of ponies, an advisor to the princess, but even with that rank and that duty a captain can only do so much within those confines.

“What about the guard’s family? What about their foals and their spouses? Who do we have that comforts them in times of loss or sees to it that their little ones understand, I mean TRULY understand what it means to serve and all that goes with it? To educate them and see to it that guards that have been maimed or lost a loved one are not just financially compensated. We already do that. I mean having a pony or even perhaps a team of ponies that help with the recovery. Making sure that a single parent can still do their job effectively while their colts and fillies are taken care of during the day or night. I am asking to tenure my resignation from a post that I know of at least three good lieutenants whom are more than capable of filling so that I may fill a position that we DESPERATLY need. A pony that helps the guard and represents their needs, especially the needs of the young.”

Twilight glanced to Sunset who had also been listening intently as Tempest laid out her thoughts and plans. “Do... do we not have something like this already in place?”

Sunset tilted her head, trying to force her uncaffeinated brain to think. She tapped her chin only to wince when she did so, flashing her teeth and revealing to Twilight and Gauge that she was missing a top tooth. Twilight’s jaw fell slack.

“What the heck?! You’re missing a tooth!”

Sunset shrugged. “I’ll fix it. It's not like I'm missing an eye or something irreplaceable. Anyhow, no I don’t think we have any such measure in place for guards beyond medical care and financial benefits. I don’t think mom or Luna ever thought about their mental health and I have to admit, shamefully, neither have we.”

Twilight recovered from her brief shock, taken aback and shamed by the knowledge that they had no recovery system in place for those that were injured during their service. She wanted to say they had something, anything, but she could not. Guards generally had a subdue job, but when disaster struck, which it did from time to time, they were often the first ones hurt or worse. They deserved better for their efforts trying to keep the citizens of Equestria and visitors safe.

“I see,” Twilight finally said, humbly. “How do we fix this problem?”

“I am still coming up with all the things that need to be done, but I want to start with focusing on the foals first. Single parents still in the guard need the most help. Specialized daycare school care for children of guards taught by guards or former guards. Somepony who will understand what they need and can answer the tough questions that children often put forth. After that, a spokespony liaison to bring the needs of the injured and recovering before the crowns so that you are both made aware of their needs and how they may best be addressed. And, of course, expanded health recovery. Mind and body. Despite popular belief, the guards go through a lot of rigors over the course of a career. Some of it traumatic. Some of it,” Tempest paused to glance towards her husband and wrapped her foreleg around his, “can be helped with just having somepony to talk to. We all need a friend, right?”

Twilight beamed, her mane taking on an intense shine and sparkle for a moment. She glanced towards her fiancé who, while still not fully awake and trying to hide part of her face, was also smiling warmly. “I completely agree. While it still saddens me that you are leaving my side, I can think of no better calling than to help those in need. I accept your resignation as captain, Tempest Fury. However, since you will still be working with the guard and need access to resources and facilities I am bestowing upon you a new rank. One that will give you authority in times of crisis and the ability to grow this needed department of mental health and services. By my authority you are now, Commander Tempest Fury. You are second only to guard captains and to Sunset and myself. Is this acceptable?”

Tempest smiled and bowed so that they could not see the tears welling up in her eyes. A moment later she once again stood tall and snapped her sharpest salute since basic training.

“I accept.”

Author's Note

To start with, thank you to everyone who has kept reading thus far. I know it's been a minute, but life changes and time consumption will do that. As far as this story, this came to me last week when nothing new for this storyline had presented itself in some time. It ended up being more a story in itself instead of just a chapter but that's fun too. Anyhow, PTSD is no joke. In addition to thanking a veteran one should also thank those that work at the VA or any mental Healthcare worker that are vital to the road to recovery. Wr take for granted that even the strong need time to not be strong and that it is okay to cry when you need it. Find what works best for you be it art or writing or helping others.

As always questions and comments welcomed.