CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Tempest trained with Grubber for weeks. She knew if she was going to go up against the Alicorns in Canterlot she’d need to perfect her own dangerous magic. She’d need to make sure that she could count on herself.

“So, let’s see it one more time,” Grubber said. “Just for good luck.”

He stood at the edge of the Great Hall. He’d borrowed some of the Storm Creatures’ armor, so she could just see a tiny set of eyes peering out from behind a giant chest plate. They’d had a few accidents early on, and Grubber refused to take any more chances. He was still trying to grow fur back on a spot on his bottom.

Tempest grunted. Her horn sparked, shooting off fiery white light. She didn’t close her eyes anymore when it happened. Instead she watched as it sparked and flamed in front of her. By focusing so intensely, she’d learned to make them even stronger than before.

“Good!” Grubber said, peering out from the armor. “Looks great.”

Tempest eyed a banner hanging from the ceiling. The banner had the Storm King’s logo on it, the two jagged blue horns. She pointed her head in its direction and fired. There was an explosion of light and flames, and the cloth banner turned to ash. It was so heavy it fell to the ground, covering everything with a thin layer of dust.

When she was done, she bowed her head. Grubber stepped out from behind his armor and clapped, the whole hall filling with the sound.

“You… are… on… fire!” he said. “Literally. Good work, Tempest. You’ve come a long way.”

“I have,” Tempest said, but for the first time in her life, she didn’t need any other creature to tell her that. She knew how powerful she was. And soon, all Equestria would know it, too.

“Come on, Grubber,” she said, starting toward the airship. “We leave tonight. I need to find out as much as I can about Canterlot if we’re going to take the castle.”

She smiled, feeling stronger than ever before. It was only a matter of time before they descended on Canterlot. When she faced off against the princesses, she’d be ready.

Tempest stepped off the airship, turning to say good-bye to Grubber. “Make sure you stay hidden,” she said. “And if I’m not back in an hour, come find me.”

“You won’t even know I’m here,” he said.

Clouds spilled out around the airship, swirling up and over its front. In just a few seconds the ship completely disappeared. They’d parked it on the outskirts of Canterlot, and now Tempest was making her way through the capital’s narrow streets. She turned back one last time to be certain Grubber was hidden.

Tempest couldn’t remember just how many moons it had been since she left Equestria. She was certain some things had changed, but a lot seemed the same. The streets of Canterlot were quite crowded. Ponies sat outside cafés, sipping tea and chatting. One stood in the window of a shop. She dusted the marble statues with a huge purple feather duster. Tempest stopped to watch, and a glamorous Unicorn brushed past her, her pale-pink mane fluttering in the breeze.

Tempest pulled her dark cloak closer, making sure it was covering her horn. Canterlot was exactly how she’d always dreamed it would be. There were tall, glittering spires that seemed to touch the sky. Theaters and art galleries and coffee shops with elegant ponies sipping elegant drinks. It was unlike any place she’d ever seen before—shinier and prettier, and full of all the fanciest ponies. The worst part was that she didn’t belong there. Not with her shabby cloak and broken horn. Not even close.

She kept a low profile as she walked through the city, her eyes fixed on the castle. She stopped at a coffee shop to listen to a few ponies talk. They were going on and on about a wedding that was happening soon. Tempest knew it wouldn’t be an event big enough to attract all the princesses. Another group of ponies chatted about a new boutique that had opened up. Another pony was telling her friend about her plans for her birthday. Tempest sighed, frustrated with how useless the information was.

Up ahead, she noticed a group of ponies sitting by a fountain and enjoying the sun. She was going to just walk past, but then one of them said something about an Alicorn named Twilight Sparkle. It sounded like she had been crowned a princess of Equestria not too long ago. Tempest paused in a nearby doorway to listen to their conversation.

“Her magic really is unparalleled,” a pony with a sky-blue mane said. “It’s no wonder she was one of Celestia’s favorite students. I can’t wait to see what she does next week.”

A pony with a shimmery gold mane smiled. “Music and dancing and desserts. It’ll be the biggest event in the history of Canterlot.”

“Princess Twilight is in charge of planning everything,” a lavender pony said.

“Are Celestia and Luna moving the sun or moon for the festival?” somepony asked.

“I don’t think so,” the blue pony said. “I think they’ll just be there.”

“Along with every other pony,” the one with the shimmery gold mane said. “Did you know hundreds of ponies are invited to the Friendship Festival? I don’t know a single one who’s not going.”

Just then a group walked down the street. The crowd parted around them. In front was a purple Alicorn. She had a dark-purple mane with a pink streak in it. Behind her were a pink pony with a balloon cutie mark and a blue pony with a rainbow mane. Everypony broke out into excited whispers.

“There they are!” somepony cried out. “Princess Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash.”

Twilight Sparkle and her friends passed out fliers to the group Tempest had been eavesdropping on. They strolled past, handing her a flier, too. You are cordially invited to the Friendship Festival! it read in cheerful script.

“We’re so excited to see you all next week,” she said. “This is going to be the best festival in the history of Canterlot!”

Everypony watched as they made their way past. Tempest heard somepony say something about how special they were.

She stared at the flier for the Friendship Festival, feeling angrier than ever. Twilight Sparkle was living the life Tempest had always dreamed of. Living in Canterlot, as a princess, with friends and parties and festivals that were planned just for fun. But what did it matter, anyway? Who cared about friendship when your friends so easily turned away from you? When they left you behind for no good reason?

Tempest tucked the flier in her cloak. The Friendship Festival. It was the perfect opportunity to steal the princesses’ magic. All the princesses would have to be there, especially if it was the biggest event in Canterlot’s history. And now Tempest Shadow was invited, too.…

She turned down a narrow street, winding her way back to the edge of the city. Grubber was waiting for her, and she had to tell him what she’d found out. The Friendship Festival was just one week away. There was so much planning to do. When would they come for the princesses’ magic? What was the best way to steal it? They’d have to return to map out the city and make a plan.…

When she was almost at the airship, she turned left instead of right and saw a familiar sight. The huge purple-and-white building had giant stairs leading to its entrance. She’d imagined running up them a hundred times before. She’d imagined what it would feel like to walk through the halls with her friends or study in one of those beautiful classrooms, Celestia standing at the board in front of her.

She stared up at the School for Gifted Unicorns one last time before she turned to leave. All she could picture was Glitter Drops’s and Spring Rain’s surprised faces as she descended on Canterlot in her giant airship. She imagined what they would think when they saw her army, all the Storm Creatures, and watched her take the princesses’ magic.

Yes, she thought, a smile curling on her lips. It will be glorious.…