Chapter 10

"Gravity of the Situation"

"Royal Guard? Captain of the Royal Guard?"

Those were the words that went through Tempest Shadow's mind as she went to bed that night. Of course, she wanted to think about the situation, however that was easier said than done. Her mind was drained, her body was drained.

"Why would Princess Twilight want to make me her Captain of the Royal Guard? It just doesn't make any sense to me. After all I have done, what does she see in me?"

"A pony that shows potential to redeem herself in the eyes of Equestria," said a deep voice and Tempest hastily turned to see Twilight's broken friendship festival once again coming to life.

"No, I am not seeing this," Tempest huffed, turning away from the crown. "I am not seeing this. My mind is playing tricks on me."

"Haven't you realized that I am who I am?" asked the crown, its pieces floating around to face Tempest. "Remember, when you crushed me, you released my spirit. So, if I were you, I'd get used to being around me."

"If you say so," groaned Tempest, rolling back on her sleeping side. "I guess that talking destroyed crowns are something that Equestria has never seen before unless if I have been living under a rock for 10 years. If you are going to be alive, then tell me if becoming Twilight's royal guard captain will put the pieces back together quicker."

"It might," answered the crown. "For your sake if necessary. However, you need to remember that my purpose is to represent the lives you broke apart."

"I can agree with you on that one. Can you imagine how many lives that I have turned upside down? You know, I'm going crazy here. I mean, I am sharing my feelings with a crown…a crown!"

Suddenly, Tempest heard what appeared to be a brief noise, but it turned out to be nothing in particular.

"Good, their all still asleep," she gasped. "But, if you are really alive, then I want to ask you something."

"Of course," replied the crown. "What is it?"

"What is the biggest piece that is among you?"

"Right here," said the crown and the crown showed off the five red diamonds that borne the crown. "They may not look like pieces of the crown, but they are pieces nonetheless. For you see, each of these diamonds represents each member of your family. Look closely and you will see what I am trying to talk to you about."

Doing as she was told, Tempest looked closer at the five diamonds and she saw what appeared to be a series of ponies in each diamond. The broken horned unicorn felt her heart sink when she realized what was at stake.

"It's my family," gasped Tempest Shadow, her eyes widened in shock. "Mom, Dad, Razzle and Bubblegum."

"Yes, those are the greatest pieces that you have to put together, Tempest," remarked the crown. These diamonds represent a member of your family and the one diamond that remains blank represents yourself."

"Myself?" Tempest wondered.

"The lone diamond that broke away from her family a long time ago," said the crown. "Which is you, Tempest. Each of my gold pieces represent Equestria, but the diamonds represent your family."

"Are you suggesting that I…?"

"Yes, you must face your family again, Tempest and beg their forgiveness and mercy."

Tempest gulped nervously at this and realized that facing her family was her other biggest challenge. They were the ponies she had hurt the most and was going to have to pay for the damages.

"There is no use hiding from it, isn't it?" she remarked, lying up on her back. "I have to face my family again?"

"Yes, Tempest," answered the crown. "Only then can you return my diamonds to their proper places."

Still unsure of her assignment, Tempest finally fell asleep as the crown fell back on the nightstand.

…

Meanwhile, back in Canterlot, Grubber was just about to go to sleep when he heard a knock at the door of his quarters, which was in a guesthouse on the castle grounds.

"Huh? Go away!" he muttered, climbing out of bed and walking over to the door. "Breakfast isn't for another few hours."

Opening the door, Grubber looked to see what appeared to be a pony covered in soars and let out a sharp cough.

"Wow," he gasped, instantly waking up. "You look terrible."

"I'm homeless, pal," said the pony. "And I have an illness that I will more than likely die from. Do you have food for me to bring back to my friends?"

"Um, well, yeah, let me go to the kitchen and give you some food," stammer Grubber. "Wait here."

The hedgehog hastily left his quarters and went to the kitchen to gather some food for the homeless pony. Upon returning however, Grubber found the pony lying motionless on the floor.

"Hey pal," he said, walking over to him. "I've got you your food. It's some leftovers from dinner tonight. Here you go."

But the pony didn't move. Grubber was now beginning to panic.

"Hey pal, are you okay?" asked Grubber in a panicked voice as he tried to wake the pony up. "Why aren't you waking up? Hey, hey, wake up! Wake up!"

Panicked, Grubber instantly spotted a night guard and yelled for him to come over at once.

"He's not waking up!" cried Grubber. "Do something!"

The guard placed a hoof at the pony's throat and tried to listen for any sign of life. However, he got nothing.

"I'm sorry," the guard said solemnly. "He's dead."

Grubber sank to his knees upon seeing this and then looked up to the skies, crying out in a loud angry voice.

"This is what I signed up for? To watch ponies die at my feet? Take a good look, Storm King! This is all on you!"

Grubber's screams did not go unheard as Luna was returning from doing her dream duties. She walked over and looked down at the homeless pony.

"His illness has claimed him," she said solemnly. "He's the third pony to die in two days."

"There have been other ponies?"

"All homeless ponies, Grubber," sighed Luna. "Their homes were destroyed in the attack that you and your comrades had caused to Canterlot."

Grubber couldn't believe what he had heard and felt like wanting to curl up into a ball and never wanted to come out of it.

"Princess Luna, I…I can't believe this is happening," he stammered. "Is this what I signed up for? To see ponies die deaths?"

"Another example of what happens when we are led by a corrupted influence," said Luna, draping a wing over Grubber. "But, you can make an effort to stop these ponies from dying."

"How?"

"By feeding them, Grubber, cooking meals for those less fortunate than you. That way, you can help them live another day."

…

Both Grubber and Tempest now had realized the gravities of their respective situations…