“It’s Fizz…” She trailed off, glancing to the side.
The King paused, his face emotionless. “Is it a hard one? You can pick a new one if you want.”
The purple unicorn stared back at him, listening intently with wide eyes.
The King continued, breaking the silence. “Make it good. You don’t get to pick again.”
She looked beyond him, thinking. Only once? Who was she, if not Fizzlepop… A silly name. A pony name. No. She was more like the storm. She was powerful, she was bold, she was a survivor. She left a corrupt world to join a force of unity. She was the future. She was the storm. No… not a storm. A tempest.
“Okay,” she spoke, finally. Her expression was stronger now, more confident. “My name’s Tempest.”
The King grinned. It was menacing. His icy blue eyes stared into hers for what seemed like hours… until finally, he nodded.
He raised his voice, speaking to everyone. “First Equestrian, Tempest Shadow.”
~
The Storm King isn’t as sweet and silly as he’s portrayed in the movie. He’s a cunning leader who kills when he doesn’t get his way. He’s violent and short tempered.
When he first heard news that a pony had joined his forces… he couldn’t believe it. He was ready to execute his messenger on the spot for delivering such preposterous news. Then he saw her, the kid pony drenched by the rain, blood stained on her face from what seemed like a horrific accident. He analyzed the situation carefully and had his advisors discuss what should be done.
This illustrates the moment when the Storm King actually meets her for the first time. She’s confined in the castle for about a week to be questioned, until she’s released to speak to him in front of his council. She is eager to join his cause. Since the beginning, he knows how he’ll manipulate her to get what he wants, even if it means her death.
As mentioned above, the Storm King is willing to do whatever it takes to destroy Equestrian royalty, and that includes letting Tempest die. That doesn’t mean he hates her, though. Over the years, she becomes one of the only subjects he finds tolerable. He’ll even call her in for nothing other than her company. She gets him. She knows him and what he wants, which is why he trusts her with the most important tasks. He is hurt when he realizes he doesn’t need her anymore, but that doesn’t mean he’ll prevent her death, even if he’s able to. He can’t trust anyone more than he trusts himself.
“Shadow” is the name given to all recruits. Many of the Storm King’s advisors and followers are born within his territory, but those who betray their own to join his cause are especially admired. “Shadow” is an honorable title.
“Equestrian” is the term used for the ponies of Equestria. Tempest is the first and only pony to have ever joined the Storm King.
When she first met him, she just couldn’t see herself saying her birth name to him. It really was silly- it was childish and too happy, as if that’s all the world was. That’s why she’s so hesitant. She didn’t feel like Fizzlepop anymore.