The Unicorn shook her head, shocked at what she was hearing. A gem that gave you bad luck? She didn’t believe in such a ridiculous thing. But a different voice whispered another warning.
“Rid yourself of this stone at once! You must!” the voice said. “Or your life will change for the worse!”
The Unicorn tucked the gem back into her bag. She wondered if maybe this Storm King was playing a trick on her. Maybe he wanted her to think the gem was bad so she wouldn’t keep it. Besides, she’d already lost her horn and left the only town she’d ever known. How could things get worse?
She glanced out the alleyway, noticing a caravan passing by. There were a dozen covered wagons leaving the city with supplies. She hopped onto the back of the last one and hid behind some crates so no one would see her. Then she closed her eyes and slept.
CHAPTER SIX
The next morning, the young Unicorn peered out over the Forgotten Hills. She’d slept for hours in the covered wagon but jumped off it as soon as she heard an approaching attack. She felt a little bad, but quickly got over it. She knew it was everypony for themselves in this world. She made it out safely and continued on her own. Unfortunately, she had left her cloak in the process, so she shivered as she climbed high into the mountains, knowing it would be another whole day of searching for a place to call home. For the first time in a long time, her loneliness felt unbearable.
She checked her bag to make sure the gem was still there. Then she stood, staring down at the town and scenery below. She had to get as far away from the desert, and Klugetown, as possible. She’d travel west and seek shelter there. Lately, she couldn’t seem to remember just how long it’d been since she left Equestria for good.
The mountain was steep. As she made her way down it, toward the Bleak Valley, her steps were unsure. Her hooves kept slipping on the gravel, and she often had to stop and steady herself.
“Easy there, Hobble Hooves,” a voice said. “You don’t want to slip and fall.”
The young Unicorn spun around, looking for the speaker. She froze in place. A small, round creature was perched on a rock above. He had spiky white hair and bright-blue eyes. He was the same creature who had stepped down off the airship, the one who’d sent his scary army after her. She glanced around, looking for an escape, but there was nowhere to go.
“Are you… the Storm King?” she asked.
The creature laughed. “I’m not,” he said. “But I know him well. I’m his… assistant.”
He was eating a thick slice of cake, the crumbs falling down the front of his armor. He would take a bite, chew, and stare at her. Then he did the same thing all over again.
“Where’d you come from?” the young Unicorn asked, peering around. She’d been in this part of the mountain all morning, and she hadn’t noticed a single sign of him. She’d even checked for tracks, to be safe.
“I was just out for my morning stroll,” the creature said. “Fresh air is good for the mind, you know. Really clears your head. And there you were. What’s a pony like you doing all the way up in the Forgotten Hills? You must be very far from home.”
“I’m not a pony; I’m a Unicorn,” she said without thinking.
The rotund little creature hopped down from his rock and stood in front of her, staring up at her broken horn. “Ahhh, yes,” he said. “I see. Had a little accident, did you? It doesn’t seem like it has slowed you down much. I saw how you fought off our army.”
“You shouldn’t have come at me like that. I was just defending myself.”
“I’m not mad,” he said. “I was impressed. You can keep the Malachite, just for that brave little stunt. You won it fair.”
Maybe it was because he wasn’t a pony, or maybe it was because it was so odd, being stuck in the middle of the mountains with a complete stranger, especially one from whom she’d stolen a gemstone, but the Unicorn suddenly felt like she could talk to him.
“An ursa minor,” she said. “That was the accident. He broke it.”
The little creature winced.
“My magic is gone. I’ve tried to focus, but without my horn…”
“It can’t be that bad,” the creature said.
“It really is.”
“I don’t believe it. You seem braver than a Hippogriff army. Let’s see.”
He stood there, waiting for her to show him. The young Unicorn hadn’t tried using her horn since the day in the clearing with her friends.
“It’s not safe,” she said. “I shouldn’t.”
“I’m not scared.” The creature plopped down on another rock, as if to say, Go on. I can wait here all day.
The Unicorn took a deep breath. She closed her eyes to focus on her horn. It glowed. Within seconds it shot out a long stream of sparks and fire, scorching the side of the mountain. She stumbled around, trying to control it, but it was too powerful. It took a few minutes before she was able to stand up again.
She wiped the ash off her nose and cheeks. She was so embarrassed she could barely look at him. Did he believe her now? Did he understand how dangerous her power was? Maybe she had fought his army, but that didn’t mean much now, did it?
“That was…” the creature started. “Amazing!”
The Unicorn just sat there, stunned. “Really? We could’ve gotten really hurt… or worse.”
The creature just waved his paw, as if that didn’t matter. “Small details,” he said. “There’s a lot of power in what you can do. It really is incredible. That combined with the bravery I saw the other night… You’re a very special Unicorn. Do you know that?”
She blushed. “Thank you…”
“I know the Storm King would be amazed by your skill. You should come meet him.”
The young Unicorn’s stomach twisted in a knot. Something didn’t feel right. Just the other night this creature had sent his army after her, but now he was inviting her to meet his friend. It all seemed a little odd.
“No?” he asked, noticing the Unicorn’s silence. “Then I should get back.…”
The creature stepped away and started over the hills. The Unicorn had only just begun talking to him, and now he was leaving. She didn’t even know his name. Maybe she wasn’t sure if she should go wherever he was going, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t talk some more.
“Wait—you didn’t introduce yourself,” she said. “And can you tell me more about this Storm King?”
The creature spun around.
“Oh yes, that was pretty rude of me. I’m Grubber, and the Storm King is my master—though I prefer boss, really. It has a nicer ring to it. He’s one of the most powerful creatures I’ve ever encountered. Grows even more powerful by the day.”
Grubber began to walk off again. The Unicorn stared at the hill below, dreading the thought of going down it alone. When was the last time someone had told her she was special? That she wasn’t dangerous, but amazing? That she could be more than a dishwasher in a dingy restaurant?
Besides, she had nowhere to go and nopony to see. What did she have to lose?
“Wait for me,” she called out. She slipped along the path as she hurried to catch Grubber.
He turned around and smiled. Just then, an imposing figure appeared.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Unicorn knew who it was. “Oh,” she said.
“You know,” a booming voice said, “you’ve been leading me on quite the chase!”
Grubber seemed much quieter now. The young Unicorn looked around, quickly scanning for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. She took a deep breath and looked the Storm King in the face.
He was three times the size of the Unicorn, with thick white fur and piercing blue eyes that were similar to Grubber’s. His chin stuck out from his face, as did two sharp bottom teeth. In fact, his face looked a lot like the symbol on Grubber’s jacket.
“So, what are you, little creature? Are you worth my time?”
“I am a Unicorn,” she began nervously. “I’ve come a long way in search of powerful magic
.” She continued, “I’ve faced many dangers to find it.”
“I’ll say! You’ve done a pretty good job, too!” the beast said, staring down at the Unicorn. She stood up straight under his gaze. She wanted him to think she was as special as Grubber had said she was.
“Let’s see it,” the Storm King ordered.
The Unicorn, feeling more nervous than she had since they’d arrived, glanced at the approaching storm clouds. She focused on her horn, letting it spark and glow. Then the flames shot out in all directions, the air filling with bright-white light.
“Not bad,” the Storm King said. He scratched the back of his head with one long finger. “Reminds me of this party I went to once in Zorgarth. Fireworks and strobe lights. I was dancing to the music, feeling it truly when—”
“What?” the Unicorn asked. The Storm King realized that maybe this wasn’t the best time to talk about his crazy times in distant lands.
“I mean… very good,” the Storm King said.
The young Unicorn stared down at her hooves. The snow around them had melted from her sparks. One patch of land was completely black.
“I’m so sorry.…” she said, looking at the Storm King. “I didn’t mean to do that. I just—”
But the Storm King started clapping. “Don’t be sorry,” he said. “That was amazing. You are special.”
“I am?” the young Unicorn said.
“You are welcome in my castle anytime. Grubber will prepare a room for you in the east wing.” The Storm King paced back and forth. Then he turned, as if he were looking at the Unicorn for the first time. “Your horn… it’s broken.”
Her hoof went up to cover it. She wished she had her cloak. She’d left the caravan so fast she’d left it there.
“I had an accident.…” the Unicorn said.
“I could fix that for you, you know.” The Storm King said it as if it would be as simple as making a cup of tea.
“You could fix my horn?”
The Unicorn couldn’t help but smile. For so many months she’d watched her horn in the mirror, hoping for any sign that it would grow back. She’d focused, trying to grow it herself, but nothing worked. This might’ve been the chance she needed. Maybe she was meant to be here. Maybe she was meant to find Grubber. The Storm King would fix her horn, and she’d return home, take the entrance exam, and be in Canterlot by the following fall.
“Of course I can help,” the Storm King said. “But you’ll have to do something for me first. A little quid pro quo…”
“What’s that?” the Unicorn asked. She’d never heard those words in her life.
“Well, I could use your help with something, and you could use my help with something. It would be an exchange. I think this could work out nicely, that’s all.…” The Storm King held up his staff. The rod was twisted, and there was a pretty blue stone wedged in the top. He had the same symbol on his armor as Grubber had on his jacket.
“The Misfortune Malachite?” she asked. She pulled it from her bag and held it up.
The Storm King smiled. “You know that gem has terrible bad luck. You should never have taken it in the first place.”
“I don’t believe in bad luck,” she said. “But I do believe in magic. And I need this gem to restore mine.” She self-consciously touched her broken horn.
“Is that all?” the Storm King asked. “Well, I can do that for you. Once I’ve finished conquering, I’ll have more power than any other creature in the world!”
The Unicorn tried to contain her excitement. “Is that why you’re searching for magic? For power?”
“What other goal is there?” the Storm King asked, baffled. “Power! Control! These are the only things worth seeking in this world. I’ll fix your horn and restore your magic.” He slowly extended his large claw. “If you pay my price.…”
The Unicorn passed the gem to the Storm King.
The Storm King crushed the gem in his hand, turning it to dust. “Well, I believe in bad luck, by the way. And I don’t need any if I’m going to conquer more lands. But I think you can help me with something more specific.…”
“What?” the Unicorn asked.
“High atop Mount Aris lives the Queen of the Hippogriffs. Do you know the Hippogriffs?” he asked.
She nodded. Of course she knew the Hippogriffs. A Hippogriff had the head, wings, and feet of an eagle, but its back legs and tail were that of a pony. They were some of the most beautiful and powerful creatures in the sky.
“She’s in possession of a magic pearl.” He smirked as he said it. “It has transformation qualities that could really give me power and finally make this staff work. No bad luck at all. And the queen and I… we’ve had our differences, so I don’t see her just handing it over to me any time soon. That is where you come in.”
“You want me to go up there and ask her for it?” the Unicorn said.
“I want you to get it any way you can,” he said. “Grubber will help you.”
Then he continued on. “Go to Mount Aris, find the pearl, and bring it back to me. Then I’ll make your horn whole again.”
The Unicorn thought about it. She knew it would be wrong to take the queen’s pearl, but things had been so hard since she’d left her small town. She never stopped thinking about what her life would’ve been like if she had her horn and magic back. She’d be able to return home and reunite with her friends Spring Rain and Glitter Drops. She’d study with Princess Celestia. She’d have her life and her dreams again.
The Hippogriffs were brave and fierce, but hadn’t she been known as the bravest Unicorn there was? Getting the pearl wouldn’t be hard when she’d already fought an ursa minor. She had to go to Mount Aris. She had to at least try.
“I’ll do it,” she said. “When do you need it?” the Unicorn asked.
“Yesterday,” the Storm King replied. “But I realize you may need time to prepare. Grubber!” the Storm King called out. The creature appeared from behind an outcrop, this time his arms full. “Get our friend some armor and introduce her to the Storm Creatures. You’ll bring them with you when you go to Mount Aris.”
“We’ll leave tomorrow night,” Grubber said. He handed something to the Unicorn. It was the same black armor the Storm King and Grubber wore. It had the bright-blue symbol on the side—two lines, like the Storm King’s face. “Come on; I’ll take you to the castle. I’ll let you sleep on the top bunk.”
The winds were getting stronger. The Unicorn turned to leave, but the Storm King called out to her.
“One last thing,” he said. “What’s your name? I don’t think I ever caught it.”
“Tempest,” the Unicorn said. She liked how it sounded out loud and immediately decided she’d keep this name. “Call me Tempest Shadow.”
The Storm King smiled down at the sad Unicorn with the broken horn. Yes, she’d be his tempest. She’d storm Mount Aris and bring him back the pearl. Or else…
CHAPTER EIGHT
These are the Storm Creatures,” Grubber said, walking Tempest Shadow into a great hall the next day. “You all have… um, met before. They’ll be joining us on our mission.”
The creatures stood there, facing her. Now that she was looking at them up close, she realized they all looked like strange versions of the Storm King. They had the same white fur around their faces, and they wore the same black armor with the blue symbol. But the beasts had sharp, pointy faces and beady blue eyes. One was huge, with paws like a lion’s. Two long tusks curled out from his nose. (She thought he was the one she had kicked, but she couldn’t be sure.) Another stood on his hind legs. He was shorter than the rest, with thick arms that looked as if they could smash someone with one blow. They all peered down at her. None of them spoke.
“Do they need to come?” Tempest asked. Then she turned to the creatures and shrugged. “No offense.…”
One of the Storm Creatures crossed his arms over his chest. He was definitely offended.
“The Hippogriffs are very powerful. We should bring th
em just in case. They’re good to have on your side in a fight.” Grubber leaned in and whispered in Tempest’s ear, “Now, this is where you give them a pep talk.”
“Right,” Tempest said, not really sure what to say. She and Grubber had come up with a plan, but she wasn’t exactly expecting to lead the group. And definitely not the small army she had just fought days before…
“So… Storm Creatures,” she said. “We leave for Mount Aris tonight. You’ll wait on the airship while Grubber and I enter the castle. The Queen of the Hippogriffs has a magic pearl that we need to get for the Storm King. Grubber and I will find it, and then we’ll count on you to be there when we make our escape. But remember: We want this to be as quiet as possible.”
The Storm Creatures looked confused.
“Quiet isn’t really their thing,” Grubber whispered.
“Grubber and I will take care of everything,” Tempest said. “You’ll wait on the ship. We’ll just need you as backup.”
They stood there, staring at her with their beady blue eyes. They didn’t seem excited about staying on the airship, but they didn’t seem mad about it, either. Grubber inched toward her. “This is where you lead them to the ship,” he whispered.
“Okay,” Tempest said, letting out a deep breath. “Let’s ready the ship for our journey. Storm Creatures, head out!”
The creatures all turned at the same time and marched out of the great hall. They climbed down the hill and marched across the long bridge away from the Storm King’s castle. That was when Tempest saw the ship for the first time.
It was bigger than the one she’d seen in the desert, and it was nestled in a swirling storm cloud. Set against the sunset, this airship was one of the most impressive things she’d ever seen. She remembered then what Spring Rain and Glitter Drops had always said to her—how she was the bravest of them all. Tonight, she’d be stronger and fiercer than ever before. She’d lead Grubber and the Storm Creatures to Mount Aris and bring back the pearl. Not for the Storm King, but for herself.
My Little Pony, The Movie: The Stormy Road to Canterlot Page 3