Chapter 9: Failure of Friendship and the Truth about Tempest
After the singing and dancing the sea ponies have, Queen Novo and Princess Skystar have a wonderful time. Sun, Spike, and the others.
Princess Novo turns her head to her mother and nods her head.
"Well, I guess there is one small thing I could give you," Queen Novo says.
The girls smile to hear Queen Novo's words.
But before she can answer, some kind of strange alarm going off.
Confused what is going on, everypony swim over to see what is happening.
Everyone in the room are stunned to see Princess Twilight is caught in stringy stingers and the pearl as well. Princess Twilight struggles to get it, but is unable to.
Seeing this make Queen Novo furious, "You tried to steal the pearl! You all tried to show us a good time, and you tried to steal our pearl!"
Sun gasps, and swims up to Novo, "Wait! The others have nothing to do with this!"
"And why would you say that?" Nova demands.
"Because… Twilight wouldn't have done it… if… I haven't talked her into it," Sun sadly says.
Everyone gasp in reply, even Princess Twilight is shocked to hear Sun saying it.
"If there's anyone you should punish, it should be me. My friends have nothing to do with the attempt of the pearl. So please, punish me instead," Sun says in sadness.
Before Queen Novo can say anything, she can see something in Sun's eyes. Something very important and special. There is something in Sun's eyes that is telling her what is really going on. All the sea ponies are worried, saying something about the pearl.
Novo sighs, and says, "Guard, escort the girl…"
"Um Sun," Sun answers.
"Sun to one of the guest rooms. And escort her friends back to the surface," Novo says.
Two of the guard escort Sun to leave the throne room, while four guards have take the others away.
Skystar asks, "Mother, what are you doing? Where are you taking Sun?"
"There's something I need to talk to Sun about, alone," Novo answers.
She then swims out of the throne room, leaving Skystar alone.
Inside one of the room, Sun waits patiently for Queen Novo to come in. to talk She looks out the window to see her friends are leaving as they are being escorted by the guards. Sun sighs, and sits on the bed with a sad expression on her face. Just then, Queen Nova swims in the room, and closes the door. Then swims to Sun and sits next to her.
"How are you feeling?" Novo asks.
Sun sighs, "Not so much."
"Sun, I haven't know you and Twilight very well. But I seem to know you well enough that you will never steal the pearl, Twilight on the other hoof… The point is that I think you weren't being honest with me about something, and I know what is…" Novo explains.
She leans to Sun, and says, "It was never your idea to take the pearl was it? In fact, you and your friends never knew what your friend was doing to begin with."
Sun eyes widen in surprise, "How did you…"
"Is what I saw in your eyes that gave it away. If you really decide to take the blame for your friend's action, that was very kind and noble of you. But a lie is a lie, even if you have good intentions," Novo explains.
Sun looks at Novo who is holding a calm smile on her face.
Sun sighs, "I didn't think of it like that."
"Maybe next time, you will,"Novo replies.
"Thanks, and I'm sorry I lied," Sun remorse.
"That's alright," Novo says.
"I really didn't know what came into Twilight. I know she wants to save Equestria as much as me and the others does, but she took it the wrong way," Sun says.
She then says to Novo, "Still, I know you might not want to help up, but maybe you can help yourselves. If the Storm King take the magic away from Twilight and the other princesses, then he'll be powerful. And it might be a matter of time before he gets to you and the pearl.
"Somehow I highly doubt it," Novo says.
"I know you might not to believe it. But if none of us can stop the Storm King, then… who will," Sun replies.
Novo begins to think about it, and thinks Sun might be right. If they won't fight, then who will. And if Sun is right and the Storm King gets the magic, then it will be everyone's problem including theirs.
Novo sighs, and says, "I'll think about it. Right now, I think you should return to your friends. I'm sure they're worried about you."
"Thanks. And again, I'm sorry for lying to you," Sun replies.
Novo gives, Sun a small hug, "You have nothing to apologize my dear."
Sun swims out of the room, and hurry back to her friends. Novo watch as Sun swims back taking in what Sun has said.
Outside of Mount. Aris, Princess Twilight and the others reached the surface, and are heavily breathing. Princess Twilight uses the transformation spell to change the Dazzlings to their human forms. One by one, the girls and Spike manage to reach to shore, but none are saying a word. They have two things on their mind. They're worried about Sun, and upset for Princess Twilight's action
Applejack is the first to speak, but doesn't sound happy about it, "What were you thinkin'? I mean, stealin' their pearl?"
Princess Twilight sighs as she unsoak her mane, "It was the only way to save Equestria."
" 'Cept it wasn't! The Queen was going to say yes! We did what you told us and that's what made her realize we were ponies worth saving!" Pinkie says.
But gasp to realize, "Unless... You didn't really want us to show her the best time ever! You just wanted us to distract her! And Sun took the blame for you!"
Everyone gasp in shock to hear the truth.
"That mean Sun was… covering for you," Adagio says in shock
Stressed and frustrated, Princess Twilight says to the group, "I never would have done it, but this isn't Equestria! We can't just dance around with con artists, make rainbooms in the sky and expect everything to work out! It's not enough! We are not enough!"
"And I never expected Sun to take the fall for me! No one asked her to!" Princess Twilight adds in anger.
"No, Twilight! We stuck together! We were gonna get the help we needed! The only thing that stopped us... was you!" Pinkie angrily denies.
"And you know Sun is trying to look out for you," Aria angrily says.
"Well, I'm doing the best I can! It's all on me. I'm the one Tempest wants. I'm the last Princess!" Princess Twilight shouts.
"Sun is also a princess too! What will happen if Tempest knew she was a princess?! She'll try to take her too!" Sonata shouts in anger.
"Yeah. And you're also the only one who doesn't trust her friends!" Pinkie scolds.
"Well, maybe, I would've been better off without friends like you!" Princess Twilight angrily shouts, and lights up her horn.
Pinkie and Sonata gasp in shock. Princess Twilight words really hurt her. The others are shocked too. Fluttershy whimpers. Rainbow, Applejack, and Aria are looking angry with her. Princess Twilight becomes shocked to realized what she has said.
Pinkie and Sonata slowly walks past her.
Princess Twilight turns around to see the two leaving, and slowly says, "Pinkie, Sonata, I…"
Pinkie sniffles, and says, "I just can't talk to you right now."
"Me either," Sonata says, on the verge of crying.
Sonata and Pinkie walk away in sadness. Then The rest of the Dazzlings, and the girls walk past Twilight. They are not happy with Princess Twilight at all.
Princess Twilight feels so ashamed that she walks in the opposite direction. Spike follows her.
Princess Twilight sits close to a cliff watching the waves crashed at the bottom.
Spike slowly walks up to her, and sadly says, "Twilight? It's okay. You'll figure it out.
But in tears and sadness, Princess Twilight says in full remorse, "No. I can't. I ruined everything. There's no chance to save Equestria now. And we're never going to see Sun again. And it's all my fault."
Princess Twilight continues to cry and shed tears feeling awful for what she has done.
Suddenly, she notices Spike hasn't say a word.
"Spike," Princess Twilight questions.
Princess Twilight turns around, and gasp to see Spike has been caught by the storm guards.
Princess Twilight is about to fight back, but hears someone shout, "Twilight, look out!"
Suddenly, someone pushes her out of the way, and hears a loud bang. Princes Twilight who has fallen looks up, and gasp to see Sun trapped in a cage. The storm creature toss Spike, and both get on the cage as it goes up to take Sun away.
"No! Stop!" Princess Twilight screams.
"Sun!" Spike shouts.
"Twilight! Spike! Help!" Sun screams from being trapped in the cage.
The cage goes in the ariship, and the hatch closed.
Princess Twilight screams, "Noooooooo!" as the airship takes one of her best friends away.
Trapped in the cage and still in the airship, Sun is trying her best to get out of the cage, but the bars are too hard for her to break. She tries to squeeze her way out, but the bars are too close together for Sun to slip out. Sun tries to ram herself out, but ends up hurting her shoulder.
Sun sighs with a sigh, and says, "Looks like I'm stuck here."
"And you're in deep trouble," A familiar voice says.
Sun gasps and turns her head to see Tempest walking down the stairs and to the cage.
"You and your friends have cause a lot of complications for me. And just when I have that princess, you decided to jump in to save her. And I like to know is… why?" Tempest says, lighting up her horn in anger.
"Because…. Twilight is my friend. And friends look out for each other. Don't you have any friends?" Sun answers.
"No. I don't need friends. In fact, my friends left me when things got tough for me," Tempest angrily answers lighting up her horn.
Sun becomes scared to see Tempest anger.
Tempest calms down, and says, "But you won't be here long. I'm sure your princess friend will come to rescue you."
"Why? Why are you doing this? You're a pony just like Princess Twilight and her friends… and… and me," Sun reluctantly admits.
"Like you?" Tempest questions.
Sun sighs, and uses her magic to change her physical form. With a bright light, Tempest becomes blinded. Once the light is clear, Tempest looks to see Sun has change into an alicorn princess.
"Because… I'm an alicorn princess too," Sun answers.
Tempest shockley says, "No way!"
Grubber comes up with a cupcake, and quietly says, "Ooh, plot twist!" Then takes a bite out of the desert.
Outside the airship, Princess Twilight is flying after to rescue Sun.
In thought, Princess Twilight says to herself, "This is all my fault, i got to help her."
Princess Twilight flies so fast and uses her magic to help her out. She manages to grab onto the railing fence to the ship. Then pulls herself on the catwalk.
In the airship, Tempest and Grubber are shocked to see Sun's true form.
"You're an alicorn princess, and you been in a body of some two legged hairless ape?" Tempest questions.
"Um yeah, but they're called humans, the form that I was in," Sun says.
Tempest chuckles, "So the rumors are true, there is a fifth alicorn princess living in another world. I didn't want to believe it at first, but… guess you proved me wrong."
"You heard of me?" Sun asks.
"Word gets around, but an alicorn princess living in a different world sounds a bit far fetched," Tempest answers.
"Yeah. I guess," Sun replies.
Then Sun asks, "Well, since we're going to be here for a while. Maybe it will be a good idea if we can you know, talk. I do have a few questions for you, and I want you to give me honest answers."
"Why?" Tempest asks.
"Well, you may be a bit serious, aggressive, and destructive… but I noticed something within you that is making you sad, lonely, and something that makes you feel incomplete," Sun calmly answers.
Tempest and Grubber look at each other with confused looks, and then look at Sun.
Grubber whispers, "You should thotally hearth her out."
Tempest sigh, "Fine. So princess, start asking."
Before Sun can ask, she hears someone screaming, "Sun!"
"Twilight?" Sun questions.
The three look up on the catwalk to see Sun running down stairs with the storm guards on her tail. She uses her magic to zap them, and flies down to where Sun is.
"Twilight, what are you doing here?" Sun asks in surprise.
"I'm here to save you. Just stand back," Princess Twilight answers.
Princess Twilight uses her magic to break the bars, but it doesn't work. Suddenly, the cage drops on Princess Twilight capturing her as well.
Grubber laughs, and says, "Ha! Looks like youth got captured as well ponyth."
"So much for a great rescue," Princess Twilight says in defeat.
"That's alright. I'm glad you came after me," Sun says.
"Thanks. I'm just sorry I got you into this," Princess Twilight replies.
Sun smiles, "That's alright. I just hope the others won't get too worried about us when they find out about this."
"Well, having five pony princesses is better than four. Now, what were you going to ask?" Tempest says.
"Right. I guess I have a few questions to ask. For starters, what happen to your horn? So we can start with that," Sun answers.
Tempest sighs, "I was afraid you would ask that."
"Oh, you don't have to talk about it if you don't feel comfortable with it," Princess Twilight says.
"No. You all to deserve to know the truth," Tempest says.
She takes a deep breath, and explains, "It all started when I was a young foal. I was with my two best friends: Glitter Drops and Spring Rain. We used to have all kinds of fun together, and dreamed of going to Princess Celestia's School for Gifted unicorns. Then one day when we were practicing our magic, we lost the ball in a cave and I was brave enough to go in. That's when things become sour…"
"What happen?" Sun asks.
"There was an ursa minor in the cave, and I was attacked by it. I tried to fight back, but the giant baby bear was strong. I manage to escape, but my horn was broken. My friends were stunned about it, and it feel incomplete after the incident. Months later, I tried to use my magic, but it got out of control. My friends and I lose touch soon after, and they left to go to the school leaving me behind. I've decided to leave my home, and go on a journey to find a way to restore my horn," Tempest explains.
Princess Twilight sadness, and says, "That's awful."
"It must have been hard for you. But… what about you helping the Storm King invade Canterlot? How did he fight into it?"
"Well, I first came across an airship and found a glowing green gem around the wreckage. That is how I met Grubber and the Storm King guards."
"That'sth me. I'm Grubber," Grubber confirms. Then eats a sponge cake.
Tempest rolls her eyes, "You really need to go on a diet."
Sun and Princess Twilight giggle in reply.
Princes Twilight stops, and says, "You were saying?"
"Right. I was able to lose them and go to the city called Klungetown with the green stone."
"You were there before?" Sun asks.
"That's right. I heard the creatures of the town talking about conquering half of the world already. And is interested in anything magical. Artifacts, amulets, gems. If it's anything containing powerful magic, he will stop at nothing to get it. Suddenly, the stone begin to glow to told me that it's called the misfortune malachite. I read about it when I was young, but never imagine I had it in my possession," Tempest explains.
"So you came across that rock too?" Sun asks.
Tempest becomes confused.
Then Princess Twilight says, "Capper and Captain Celaeno came across that same rock. Whoever possessed it, not only gets strong power, but brings bad luck to whoever has it."
"Yeah. Later on, I came across with a stallion and we traveled for a while. Just then, the Storm King's guards came after us. I used him a decoy so I can escape, but I came across the Storm King himself. He was… actually impressed I was able to avoid his guards, but was upset with me for being against him. Of course, I gave him the stone and told him that I don't believe in luck. He does and smash the stone, and said that the last thing he needs is bad luck," Tempest explains.
"Sheesh!" Sun replies.
"I know," Tempest says.
"So why he decided to come to Equestria?" Princess Twilight asks.
Tempest sighs, and says, "It was my idea. I told the Storm King about your magic, and he seems interested in it. So I made an agreement that if I help him get Equestrian Magic then he can restore my horn. And then, he made me his Commander."
"That's rough," Sun replies.
"Yes. Of course, he tasked me in trying to steal the Hippogriffs pearl. Grubber and I were able to infiltrate inside and meet them. They were so kind to us, especially Princess Skystar. And you can imagine how upset they were for taking advantage of their kindness. Then they suddenly disappears. Of course, I did felt bad about it, but the Storm King told me that it's every creature for themselves. For weeks, I trained with Grubber to help prefect my wild magic now that my horn is broken. Then I heard about the friendship festival, and decide to plan my invasion," Tempest explains.
"Wow! That sure was a long and hard story," Sun says.
"Yeah. I'm sorry you felt so alone," Princess Twilight says.
"It was hard, and my friends left me when I needed them the most. That's when I come to realize that friendship is nothing. And I guess friendship failed both of you as well," Tempest says.
Princess Twilight sighs, "Friendship didn't fail me. I failed friendship."
"What do you mean?" Sun asks.
"I didn't think friendship was enough for places out of Equestria, but you and the others stuck together, and we were going to get the help we need. But I ruined it… and… I don't think the others want to be my friends anymore," Princess Twilight says in remorse.
"What happen?" Sun asks.
"I told them that I wouldn't be better off without them. But… that was an awful mistake. And what's worse… I acted like Tempest when I took advantage of someone. I'm sorry for trying to steal the pearl," Princess Twilight says.
Sun smiles, "It's alright Twilight, I forgive you."
Princess Twilight shows a teary smile, and says, "I don't deserve a friend like you."
Tempest is surprised to see smile on the two friends; faces. Despite everything that has happen, Sun is able to forgive Twilight, and still stick with her.
Sun turns to Tempest, and says, "I don't think friendship failed anypony at all. Even yours, Tempest. I think the only one that did fail were your friends. They weren't there when you needed them the most, and I'm sorry you felt that way."
"It's… alright. But still, I don't have any friends," Tempest says.
"That's not true. Because Twilight and I can be your friend. If you want. And besides, I think you and Grubber are in a way friends," Sun says.
"Sounds good to me," Grubber says, eating a cake.
"That is very nice of you to say that, but I still have to bring you to the Storm King," Tempest says.
"But why?" Princess Twilight asks.
Sun sighs, and explains, "I think I know why. Tempest made a deal with him. She promised him magic, and he promised to fix her horn. I'm guessing she has to live by it."
"Yeath, or he's going to break more than her horn," Grubber says.
"What is with this guy?!" Sun comments.
"Yeah. The Storm King is aggressive with his conquering. So I have to be aggressive too. I may also destroy your pirate friends' ship," Tempest says.
"You what?!" Princess Twilight exclaims in shock.
"It was kind of their fault, and Cappers," Tempest says.
"Capper, what does he have to do with it?" Sun asks.
"Capper told me that you guys were heading to east to Black Skull Island or something. And the pirates lied about having you girls," Tempest explains.
"Huh?" the girls question.
Then Princess Twilight asks, "So if Capper, Celaeno and her crew didn't told you about going to Mount. Aris, how did you manage to know where we were going?"
"It was a map you left behind," Grubber answers.
Princess Twilight puts her hoof on her forehead.
"Not to mention the colorful rainbows we saw at the ship. And a fish man told us where Capper lives, after Tempest dropped him like a barrel," Grubber adds.
Sun and Princess Twilight look at Tempest with straight looks.
"Wow! You don't fool around do you?" Sun asks.
"No I do not," Tempest answers.
Then she says, "We'll be arriving at Canterlot shortly. I need to get up to the deck."
Tempest and Grubber walk away up the stairs to the deck. Once they're gone, Sun and Princess Twilight are alone, and captured.
Princess Twilight sighs, "It looks like the Storm King is not only getting my and the other princesses magic, but yours too. I really hope we could get Tempest to change her mind."
"I know, but she made a bargain with the Storm King. I don't think she is able to back out of it," Sun answers.
"Do you think the Storm King really is going to help Tempest?" Princess Twilight asks.
"I'm not sure, but somehow… I have a feeling that he might not live up to his promise. We can only hope that Tempest is able to know what the Storm King is doing. I'm in a way putting faith in her, that she can be our friend," Sun admits.
