//------------------------------// // Chapter 19: "In the Dungeons of Canterlot" // Story: The Redemption of Tempest Shadow // by twilightsparkle3562 //------------------------------// Once news of Tempest's surrender and arrest reached Canterlot, all the ponies that Tempest terrorized were out in full force to show their displeasure and anger. However, no sooner was Tempest brought to the dungeons, than did the news reached Celestia and Luna. "What do you mean she surrendered?" Luna demanded to Celestia, staring out over the crowds of ponies celebrating Tempest's arrest. "I thought that we were…" "It's like they told us, Luna," Celestia calmly (but with as much equal reluctance as Luna) spoke. "She did it of her own free will, and we have to be the ones to decide her fate. As much I hate to say it, I really don't want to punish her so harshly." "But she is already punishing herself for her actions, Celestia. Perhaps accepting responsibility will put an end to her suffering." Luna suggested. "What do you mean?" Celestia asked. "Think of it this way," Luna explained, draping a wing over her big sister. "Out of all the major villains that have threatened Equestria, how many have we had to punish or grant a second chance to?" "Well, we've given Discord a second chance despite his actions, Twilight gave Starlight Glimmer another chance despite her actions and then…I gave you a second chance." Celestia realized. "In fact, I can relate to Fizzlepop in a way," Luna sighed. "We both had dreams that were dashed by our own mistakes and errors. I want to help her, Celestia, but I don't know how." "None of us know how to do it, Luna, but we will find a way,” Celestia considered. “As much evil as Fizzlepop has carried out, none of us want her to suffer the same fate as Tirek or even King Sombra. There is only one who deserved the same fate as those two and he's being taken out of Canterlot." Celestia motioned Luna to look beyond the angry crowds and view a group of guards ponies carrying a wagon. Inside the wagon was the shattered stone body of the Storm King. "You're right, sister," Luna remarked. "If there was only one to be punished severely, it's the Storm King. It's too bad that not all of his followers are not willing to accept responsibility like Fizzlepop is. Even so, we must find a way to avoid making it seem like Fizzlepop is escaping justice." Luna then turned to make her way down the stairs of the tower and Celestia soon followed. As they left, the crowds anger grew louder, demanding that Tempest pay for her crimes against them. Meanwhile, down in the dungeons, Tempest Shadow sat in her cell, looking out of the tiny window that gave out the only dose of sunlight. Part of her was thinking about what she had just did to protect Twilight and her friends. In her mind, this was the only way to do it. Just then, she heard a voice right outside her cell that belonged to Grubber. "I'm sorry, chef Grubber," A guard apologized. "We cannot allow you to visit the prisoner." "But, you don't understand!" Grubber protested. "I'm Tempest Shadow's friend! I want to see her!" "Back to the kitchen with you, no visitors are allowed!" The guard snapped. Not wanting Grubber to be denied the chance of a visit, Tempest walked to the door and spoke into the tiny hole in her cell. "It's all right, let Grubber in. He means no harm." Reluctantly, the guard opened the door and allowed Grubber into Tempest's cell. Almost immediately, the two friends hugged each other despite the surroundings that Tempest found herself in. "Why did you do it, Tempest? Why did you surrender?" Grubber asked. "Because I had to, Grubber," Tempest firmly explained as they broke apart. "I didn't want to put Princess Twilight and her friends at risk anymore." "But…but they'll kill you, or worse…" Grubber said with a shake of his head. "If they are going to kill me then that's their wish, Grubber!” Tempest protested. “Don't you see what we did?! Equestria will not rest until I pay for my crimes, one way or another! You're lucky, you didn't harm anyone because you were just in it for the food. To that end, the princesses made you their personal chef." "Still, I was an accomplice, regardless, even if I never laid a paw on these ponies," Grubber sighed. "All I did was introduce you to the ponies of Equestria and then just make wisecracking jokes that made you angry at me." "And I did what I did, because I was desperate to get my horn back, Grubber!" Tempest complained, before placing a hoof on Grubber's chin. "I know we connect in a way, Grubber. We both came from traumatic incidents and took that bottled up anger out on others. What's worse is that…we both enjoyed it." "I know how you feel, Tempest,” Grubber confessed. “A few nights ago, a homeless pony came to my door begging for food and when I gave it to him, he died right there. That's when I realized that I’d been working for someone that didn't give any care whatsoever for myself or you." "You realized that," Tempest sighed again, resting her head against the wall of her prison cell. "I didn't. All I did was stay with the Princess of Friendship, who I hunted for her magic. And nevertheless, she tried to help me through therapy. But, therapy isn't enough, Grubber. Nothing matters anymore. I'm probably going to die for this. But if I am going to die, then I just want it to be quick and painless! If that’s really the only way this can satisfy everyone, who I am to disagree?!" Grubber couldn't find the words to come up with an excuse to get his friend out of trouble. For he knew that it was out of his reach. "I really hope that they have mercy on you, Tempest,” He told her. “You don’t deserve death. But, maybe I'm just a dreamer for you to live past this, am I?" Touched by her friends words, Tempest pulled Grubber into another embrace and knocked on the door for the guards to let him leave. "I'll pray for you, Tempest," Grubber whispered, and left Tempest alone in her cell. All Tempest could do was just that…pray for a miracle, a chance to be put on the right path to redemption. However, that was easier said than done. Her fate was solely in the hooves of the princesses now.