It turns out, Cadance isn’t the only one eager to try her wing at cloudbusting.

“Like this?” Silverstream lets loose a piercing shriek, split between fury and joy, as she whips her wings forward, only for it to turn shrill as she realizes that this sends her plummeting downward before she can get a second gust off.

“Yup!” Cadance grins, though the others don’t look as impressed; it barely made a dent in the base. She feels the need to cover for the recovering hippogriff. “Now, take a close look; even though it didn’t seem like much, the cloud isn’t moving back. If it was fresh, or full?” Or chaotic. “Then it would. Now, this might seem like a lot of work, but nopony said it would be easy.”

“Then let’s spread out and get to work!” King Aponis takes his own suggestion, gliding off a stone’s throw away. It might be toil, but each of them are ecstatic to finally stretch their wings, to do something useful as hippogriffs, and slowly but surely the base of the cloud begins to push inward. At least, in their little stretch.

Cadance moves from hippogriff to hippogriff, offering tips about how to more efficiently recover after an upward gust, or how to translate their speed into something useful. She and everygriff watch, amazed, as Luna demonstrates how to take an entire field’s worth of wind at once: dive down to build up speed, use a large arc to gather as much air as far as you can influence while retaining that speed, and then pour everything you can into your climb up. It slams into the base, punching a quarter-mile long hole clear through to the top.

For the first time since the Storm King forced the hippogriffs into the sea, sunlight streams onto Mount Aris.

Well, not quite; the sun isn’t high enough, not yet, but at least they can see clear skies.

“That was great!” Cadance congratulates, first to fly into the void left by her Aunt’s powerful blast. It is mercifully free of any sticky remnants, and the residue blown off the top dissipates rather than need additional cleanup. She motions with a wide, frolicking roll. “It’ll be a lot easier working at altitude, or above, but we’ll still need onemare working below.”

Cadance looks between the hippogriffs, smiling encouragingly, but none immediately volunteer for the most strenuous position. Luna looks beat after her maneuver, for all she hides it, though she might coax out another cloudbuster or two given rest.

“Looks like it’ll be me,” Cadance continues, gamely ignoring the heavy sighs of relief from everycreature. Her wings tense in preparation for the grueling workout ahead. “If you need anything else, just let me know.”

With that, they go to work. It’s just as exhausting as she thought it would be, perhaps more, but she knows she is here for a reason. Though she hopes their cutie marks are above Mount Aris for more than a simple cloud cleanup.

Hours later, the sky nearly clear, with her stomach reminding her that she is eating for two and cannot skip meals without repercussion, Cadance finds herself nearing King Aponis. The other hippogriffs are either condensing their own clouds into smaller portions to be bucked into nothing by Luna, or teaming up on the largest remaining holdout.

“We hippogriffs thank you for your service,” King Aponis states formally as she approaches, offering a low and graceful bow, made all the more impressive by being in midair. “It is not every day a Princess of Equestria ventures forth, especially for conditions as meager as ours.”

“It is a sacrifice I am quite willing to make,” Cadance replies, returning the bow.

“I seem to recall you having a certain fondness for sacrifice,” King Aponis wryly remarks, winking.

Cadance nods, tittering at the flirt; he must be referring to her defense of Chrysalis at the changeling’s trial. She responds coyly, “More than fondness. Why, the best measure of worth is what one is willing to give up for it.”

“And here you are, giving up your valuable time to help us.” King Aponis pauses in his work to better think. His words come out slow and guarded, a sharp contrast to his earlier joviality. “One might suspect an ulterior motive.”

Cadance stalls with him. “Oh?”

“I do not believe for one moment that you came here only to bust clouds.” King Aponis twirls around; nogriff is within earshot, all hard at work on their own sections. “For if that was all you intended, surely you could have spent your time fundraising - time I imagine you would have found infinitely more enjoyable - and in a single night gathered enough bucks to hire enough pegasi to do this job ten times over.” His frown deepens. “Pardon my bluntness, for I fear I have spotted the sinker, but cannot find the hook.”

Where did this come from? Cadance can’t think of any of her actions that could have caused such suspicion. Then again, he did serve with the Storm King for more than a decade, and surely incorporated enough of their mannerisms to rise in the ranks. Perhaps it became more ingrained than the hippogriff lets on.

“While I might caution your imagination as to what I find enjoyable, I assure you my motives are not so ignoble.” Cadance gives him her purest, most disarming smile. It’s not that she despises those grand gatherings, but they’ve never been her forte, not compared to Celestia. Her wedding is the one of the few she truly enjoyed. “For what pursuit is more meaningful than that of spreading friendship, harmony, and love? I cannot think of one.”

King Aponis laughs, more of a bellow, loud enough to draw the attention of the nearby hippogriffs. “Forgive me, Princess! For I cannot believe that one could be so selfless! For in all my life, in all my travels, I have never met any who meet that standard. All are concerned with their own welfare, their own power, or that of their kin.”

Before she can object that this sentiment is certainly more characteristic of the Storm Realm than of Equestria, he continues. “And I have been to Equestria!” The other hippogriffs draw near, curious. “I have met with your nobles, your paragons, your princes.” She scowls at the last one. “Attended their balls, with their whirling on the stage, and their wheeling and dealing off. I have shaken claw with Princess Celestia, and pardon my Abyssian, but I suspect she wished to shake more than that!”

Cadance holds her tongue; she knows Celestia to be playful, even flirtatious, in a manner none would initially guess from one assumed to hold herself ‘higher and mightier than thou’. At least, to those she likes; she recalls their first meeting with Doug, and her eagerness to raise her tail - or, at least, portray herself as one willing to do so. Knowing the sheer number and variety of liaisons her Aunt has taken, all in pursuit of a foal - one she is ecstatic they have finally accomplished - she finds little reason to doubt him, though she suspects it would have turned to little more than flirting.

“And,” King Aponis continues, his rant winding down, “it seems I must continue searching.”

Murmurs spread from one hippogriff to another, warily watching the alicorn for some outburst. For who could take such an insulting statement and not respond in kind?

“There is a pearl of truth there,” Cadance admits, drawing a perplexed raise of the eyebrow from the king; perhaps he expected her to push back more strongly, more directly. “For I do wish to persuade, for my influence to rise, for Equestria’s power to grow. But that is not my only motive in seeking to spread Harmony throughout the land.” She offers him a broad smile. “For I also wish for you to grow, not just as a people, but as individuals.”

“Then what should we do?” Skystar asks plaintively. Her gaze flicks to the ocean far below, her gulp just as audible.

“You cannot focus purely on what is being done,” Cadance explains, motioning to the wide open skies around them. She ends her movement with a telling glance at King Aponis. “Or what might be gained, or demanded, for such service.”

The king frowns. “What else is there?”

“What matters is not the work that we are doing, but who we are doing it with.” Cadance’s gaze turns downward, to the black airship. “For if we band together, and venture forth, and defeat the Storm King, but then retreat to our separate homes, to our own affairs?” She shakes her head, grim. “What have we gained? We would be better off living under the Storm King’s steel and teal, were we to do so together, than if we were to all live apart. For tyrants come and go, but friendship carries on through the ages.”

“It sounds,” King Aponis states, not quite persuaded, “that you want us to bow to you.”

“We tried that,” Princess Luna states coldly, the hippogriff king pulling back. “And we can speak to the truth of Love’s words. For when we returned as the Nightmare, we styled ourselves as the rightful ruler, deserving of the adoration of all. Our Sister, in her wisdom, bent the knee. She would rather we be together, even subordinate, than obtain a pyrrhic victory through mutual obliteration. And we dare say her plan worked, and will work for you.”

Cadance turns, looking each of the approaching hippogriffs in the eye. “For I, for we truly believe that living in Harmony is the best way to live. If I did not find it to be true, I could not spread it. And if I did find it to be true, I could not help myself! For I believe that the best way to live is by the Elements. Honesty. Generosity. Loyalty. Kindness. Laughter. And Friendship. And those can be summed as Love, for showing the same regard for another’s wellbeing as you would show for your own.”

King Aponis scoffs. “An impossible task.”

Cadance nods, grimly. “Truly, an unattainable goal, one even Princess Celestia falls short of at times.” She focuses on King Aponis. “But in all your travels, have you found a better one? Have you found a better way that leads to more prosperity and more fulfilling lives for all?”

King Aponis grits his beak, but remains silent.

“I have not.” Cadance glances at Luna, who likewise remains silent. “Presumably, Princess Celestia has not, or she would spread that instead.” A few flaps bring Cadance next to Skystar. One foreleg wraps around her back, comforting. “And yet, as much as you might want me to, and as much as I might want to help?” Cadance’s other foreleg presses into the hippogriff’s chest. “These are lessons that you will have to take to heart. It might not be as exciting as facing off against an evil sorceress. It might not be as obvious as a big, black warship in the sky. But the problems you face will be no less real, no less consequential if ignored.”

“W-what sort of problems?” Skystar stammers, her claws clutching at her chest, shaking.

“Sometimes? All you have to do is ask.” Cadance smiles as Skystar looks up at her, eyes wide and expectant. “No, not me. Yourself. What problems are weighing on your heart? What areas are you afraid to confront for fear of the consequences?”

“M-my mom,” Skystar answers without hesitation. She takes a sheepish glance at her dad, the king obviously thinking of the same answer but reluctant to state it.

“Once you have your problem,” Cadance continues, letting go of Skystar to better regard the crowd, “reflect on it. Think of the Elements of Harmony. Honesty, or truth; for lying will corrupt the entire process. Is that what you need to correct? Or is it Generosity, or Love; what will you give up for the other’s sake? Loyalty, or devotion; are you pursuing goals worth pursuing, or have you given up on those you shouldn’t have? Kindness, or compassion; how are you treating those around you - for their sake, or for yours? Laughter, or optimism; are you plagued by resentment, thoughts of vengeance, that forgiveness could heal? Magic, or Friendship; for that is most important, it ties all things, and what else could you possibly give to gain it?”

While Cadance speaks she turns, watching the few hippogriffs reflect on her words. She fervently hopes that their visit will inspire them, who might then go on to spread this message of Harmony to others. Much in the same way Twilight’s school will serve as a central, more formal venue for teaching others the value of Harmony.

“And while I was speaking,” Cadance adds, “did one of those Tenets stand out to you? Perhaps that is the way to solve your problem.” She turns to Luna, the alicorn lost in thought. “Luna? Are you ready?”

“...To go?” Luna responds, somewhat confused at the abrupt shift.

It might feel like they just got here, but Cadance nods. “For we are not here to solve all of your problems, much as you might wish us to. Instead, we are here to help guide you. To coach, not to command. We would never force you to follow in our path, much as we might wish you would.”

“And if we want to learn more?” Silverstream beams eagerly, her bubbly enthusiasm infectious. “That’s why we’re going to that friendship school, right? To learn more about this?” She clasps her claws to her face, eyes sparkling, as if the dazzling sight was right in front of her. “You guys, that’ll be so school!”

Everygriff groans as Cadance chuckles. “You and Pinkie Pie will get along famously, I’m sure. And if you have any questions, any at all, don’t hesitate to write.”

“We will!” Skystar cries, waving with one claw. She looks sad to see them go, fearful at what returning to the ocean would entail, yet strangely optimistic about the whole situation. The other claw grasps her father’s, the older hippogriff pensive and apprehensive.

“My most recent marker is at the Carrot House,” Luna states, partway between a command and a question. Cadance’s horn joins Luna’s in charging, each extending a hoof to Silverstream, who grasps them with a giddiness few can match. And then, with a flash of cobalt and pink, the three blink away.

Next Chapter: Ch. 85 - Coated Shrapnel, Part One Estimated time remaining: 18 Hours, 30 Minutes